2025 Sawyer Free Library

Our Library. Our Community. Our Future Together.

~ Sawyer Free Library

The Sawyer Free Library: A Community Reimagined

The doors to the newly reimagined Sawyer Free Library are open, and the excitement across Gloucester is undeniable. This extraordinary community space is far more than a beautiful building — it is a reflection of who we are: rooted in tradition, fueled by creativity, and committed to an inclusive and vibrant future.

Inside, visitors will find welcoming areas for children, teens, and adults; expanded digital resources; and a sustainable, accessible design that ensures everyone in our community has a place to learn, gather, and grow. The Library has once again become our civic anchor — a place where curiosity is sparked, connections are made, and democracy is strengthened.

But while the ribbon has been cut, our work is not done.

Thanks to the generosity of our community, we have reached 65% of our $28 million goal. To fully realize this once-in-a-century project, we must raise the final $8 million. One hundred percent of this year’s Annual Appeal supports the Sawyer Free 2025 Capital Campaign, helping us finish what we started and ensuring this remarkable community investment endures for generations.

This is Gloucester’s library. It belongs to all of us.

As we approach the end of the year, we hope the greater Cape Ann community will thoughtfully consider supporting the Annual Appeal. To make a tax-deductible donation, please visit www.sawyerfreelibrary.org or mail a contribution to:

Sawyer Free Library, Annual Appeal, 2 Dale Avenue, Gloucester, MA 01930

Thank you for your generosity — and for believing in the power of libraries.

Join the Sawyer Free Library for the Relaunch of the Gloucester Lyceum

~ Sawyer Free Library

Placemaking: Our Library In Our Community with Ethan Kent

The Sawyer Free Library will officially relaunch the Gloucester Lyceum with a special event, Placemaking: Our Library In Our Community, featuring internationally renowned placemaking leader Ethan Kent, Executive Director of PlacemakingX.

The program will be held Thursday, October 23, 2025, from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. in the Sawyer Free Library’s Community Room, 2 Dale Avenue, Gloucester. Free and open to the public, registration is required at sawyerfreelibrary.org. Space is limited.

The program will begin with remarks by Mr. Kent, followed by interactive conversations with fellow attendees throughout the various spaces of the newly renovated, expanded, and modernized Sawyer Free Library. The perspectives shared in these dialogues will inspire closing insights from Mr. Kent, allowing participants to reflect on how Gloucester can continue to build meaningful, inclusive spaces—starting with its newly reimagined Library.

“Placemaking is about strengthening the connection between people and the places they share,” said Ethan Kent. “It’s about making the spaces we live, the places we love.”

The Gloucester Lyceum: A Tradition Renewed

Founded in 1830, the Gloucester Lyceum once brought thought leaders such as Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau to Cape Ann. Today, the Sawyer Free Library’s relaunch builds on this proud tradition, offering marquee programs that bring contemporary voices into dialogue with the community.

“The relaunch of the Gloucester Lyceum is about renewing a proud tradition of bringing people together for public discourse within a collaborative forum. True to the notion that a lyceum is “where the city comes to think,” we are honored to welcome Ethan Kent as our first speaker in this new chapter. His work around the world embodies the very spirit of community dialogue and imagination that we hope to cultivate right here in Gloucester,” said Laura Ventimiglia, Chair of the Gloucester Lyceum. 

“Welcoming Ethan Kent to Gloucester to help relaunch our historic Lyceum is both timely and inspiring,” added Mern Sibley, President of the Board of Trustees of the Sawyer Free Library. “Our newly reimagined Library is the hub of the community—offering so much to so many. Ethan’s work demonstrates how meaningful public spaces can bring people together, foster belonging, and strengthen communities.”

About the Sawyer Free Library

For nearly 200 years, the Sawyer Free Library has served Gloucester as a hub of culture, learning, and civic life. Its newly renovated and expanded building continues this mission, providing equal access to resources and programs that support the community’s evolving needs.

For more information and to register for this special evening, visit sawyerfreelibrary.org. Space is limited, so register today!

Sawyer Free Library Announces Grand Reopening of Transformed Historic Building

~ Sawyer Free Library

Celebrations to Kick Off with Public Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony, September 5

After nearly two years of renovation, expansion, and modernization, the Sawyer Free Library is proud to announce the grand reopening of its historic home at 2 Dale Avenue. To celebrate this major milestone, the Library will host a Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony on Friday, September 5, followed by a Community Open House on Saturday, September 6. 

All are warmly invited to attend and explore the newly revitalized space.

This once-in-a-generation transformation marks a bold new chapter in the Library’s nearly 200-year legacy as a pillar of civic and cultural life in Gloucester. The result is a vibrant and inclusive public space designed to support 21st-century learning, creativity, and community connection.

“The new Sawyer Free Library reflects the spirit of our city: rooted in tradition, driven by creativity, and focused on building an inclusive, dynamic future”, said Mern Sibley, President of the Library’s Board of Trustees.

“This represents one of the most significant civic investments in Gloucester in a generation,” said Gloucester MayorGreg Verga. “It reflects what’s possible when we invest in public spaces that serve everyone.”

“We are incredibly proud to welcome everyone back into a new Sawyer Free Library that is reimagined, renewed and ready to inspire,” added Library Director Jenny Benedict. “This Library will serve our community as a launchpad for lifelong learning, innovation, and connection for decades to come.”

A Space Revitalized for All

Designed by Oudens Ello Architecture and Dore + Whittier Architects and built by W.T. Rich Company, the $28million construction project seamlessly blends the original 1913 structure and 1976 addition with a striking new 14,000-square-foot expansion. The project was guided by extensive community input and completed on time and within budget.

The transformed Library offers an expansive array of amenities and technologies to serve Gloucester’s evolving needs:

  • A light-filled Children’s Room and Early Learning Center
  • A vibrant Teen Room featuring a STEAM-focused Creation Space, gaming consoles, and study nooks.
  • A state-of-the-art Digital Learning Lab and Podcast Studios with media creation tools, digitization equipment, and soundproof recording rooms
  • A 100-seat Community Room with adjacent public-use kitchen
  • New study rooms, conference spaces, and quiet reading lounges
  • A dedicated Local History Research Center with an extensive collection of books and manuscripts, a robust digital archive, and an interactive 85” Gloucester History Timeline, alongside the preserved writing desk of historian Joseph Garland

In addition, visitors can enjoy a refreshed Matz Gallery for local art exhibitions and the soaring three-story Cape Ann Quarries mural by artist Leslie Bartlett. Outdoors, the grounds feature expanded outdoor gathering spaces, including the Fountain Plaza, covered Dale Avenue Porch and the Library Greenway with raised garden beds, as well as EV charging stations and bike/e-bike parking.

With over 66,000 items—including books, media, digital devices and book club kits—sections of the Library’s collection have grown alongside its physical footprint. New conveniences like after-hours pickup lockers extend access for all.

Built for the Future

The Library sets a new standard for sustainable public building design in the region. Built to Net Zero Ready standards and LEED Gold certification, the building features an all-electric HVAC system, smart energy systems, rainwater harvesting, and climate-resilient landscaping—demonstrating a strong commitment to long-term environmental stewardship.

“The long and challenging journey to restore, expand, and revitalize one of Cape Ann’s greatest public resources has reached a successful ending through the tireless work of dedicated trustees, donors, and a community that cherishes the tradition of a free public library,” said Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester). “Now, its doors will open wide again to allow us all to begin our own countless journeys in the future, made possible by the resources and the inspiration inside its incredible new spaces.”

“As the daughter of a school librarian, I’ve always understood the power of libraries to open doors and bring communities together. The reopening of the Sawyer Free Library reflects Gloucester’s deep commitment to knowledge, creativity, and civic life,” said Representative Ann-Margaret Ferrante (D-Gloucester). “The facilities in the expanded library will serve every generation — supporting early literacy, digital access, lifelong learning, and community gathering in one space. Thank you to the many partners who helped make this transformative project a reality.”

A Community Effort, A Shared Legacy

The $28 million construction transformation was made possible through generous public and private support, including over $10 million from the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners, $6 million from individual donors, $1.85 million from corporate donors, and $200,000 in local government and community partner grants. In addition, the Library Corporation contributed $2 million to the project during the design phase from trust funds. The capital project has reached completion on time and within budget.

To date, 65% of the Library’s capital campaign goal has been raised. Fundraising continues to fully cover construction costs and support the Library’s long-term vision. To contribute, visit: sawyerfreelibrary.org.

For nearly two centuries, the Sawyer Free Library has served as a trusted source of knowledge, creativity, and connection. The 2025 Library honors that legacy while boldly embracing the future—with a mission grounded in inclusion, sustainability, and lifelong learning.

“This is Gloucester’s library,” said Sibley. “And it belongs to everyone.” 

To celebrate this milestone, the Library will host two public events:

Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony
Friday, September 5, from 3:00–4:30 PM
Featuring remarks, guided tours, a Cape Ann Youth Chorus performance, and light refreshments.
Free and open to all. Rain or Shine.

Community Celebration & Open House
Saturday, September 6, from 10:00 AM–3:00 PM
A day of family-friendly activities and opportunities to explore the transformed space.

Help Break a World Record: Library Card Sign Up Challenge!

~ Sawyer Free Library

The Sawyer Free Library is inviting the entire community to join in a fun-filled day of discovery, creativity, and history-making at its Community Celebration & Open House on Saturday, September 6, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM at 2 Dale Avenue, Gloucester.

As part of the festivities, the Library is launching a Library Card World Record Attempt — aiming to break the current record of 1,922 library card sign-ups in a single day. 🎯 New and renewing cardholders will receive a limited-edition commemorative Sawyer Free Library card as a keepsake from this exciting moment.

“A Library for Everyone” celebration marks the grand reopening of the newly renovated and expanded Sawyer Free Library, now a vibrant and inclusive center for learning, imagination, and community connection.

In addition to the record attempt, attendees can explore the library’s transformed spaces and enjoy live music including Gloucester Student Band, engaging presentations, children’s programs, tech demos, collaborative art projects, Rhea Pizzeria Napoletana, a visit from the Boston Red Sox Wally the Green Monster and much more—with activities and prizes designed for all ages.

Everyone is welcome to attend, have fun, and help make history! Details: sawyerfreelibrary.org

2025 Sawyer Free Library Ribbon Cutting Celebration – September 5th!

~ Sawyer Free Library

After nearly two years of renovation, expansion, and modernization, the Sawyer Free Library is thrilled to welcome the community back to its historic home at 2 Dale Avenue in the heart of Gloucester!

Join us for a special Ribbon Cutting Celebration on:

Friday, September 5, 2025
3:00 – 4:30 PM
School Street Entrance, Sawyer Free Library

Be part of this once-in-a-generation moment as we unveil your newly reimagined 21st-century library—a vibrant, inclusive space built for learning, creativity, and connection.

Enjoy remarks, a ceremonial ribbon cutting, a performance by the Cape Ann Youth Chorus, and light refreshments.

This rain-or-shine event is free and open to all—come celebrate with neighbors, friends, and fellow library lovers as we turn the page to an exciting new chapter!

Don’t Miss the Fun!
Come back the next day for our Community Open House on Saturday, September 6 from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM, featuring musical performances, activities, and family-friendly fun for all ages! Stay tuned for even more details or visit sawyerfreelibrary.org!

Sawyer Free Library Grand Reopening Celebrations 🎉

~ Sawyer Free Library

🎉 Please join us in celebrating the grand reopening of the newly renovated and expanded Sawyer Free Library — an inspiring, inclusive space created for our whole community. 🎉 
 
Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony
Friday, September 5 | 3:00 PM
Celebrate the official opening of your newly transformed Sawyer Free Library!
Remarks | Ceremonial Ribbon Cutting | Refreshments Performance by Cape Ann Youth Chorus  
Open to All | Rain or Shine

Community Celebration & Open House
“A Library for Everyone”
Saturday, September 6 | 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Free and Open to All 

Come tour the new library spaces at 2 Dale Avenue and enjoy music, activities for all ages, and more! 

Saturday Event Highlights:

Library Card World Record Attempt
Help us break the record for most sign-ups in a single day! All new and renewing cardholders
receive a limited-edition commemorative library card.

Library Passport Adventure 
Explore the new Library and collect stamps and win prizes.

Special Guests & Giveaways
• Wally the Green Monster from the Red Sox (12–1 PM)
• Enter to win a signed 2025 Boston Bruins jersey

Art, History & Design Events
• Artist Talk: Leslie Bartlett on the Library’s Cape Ann Quarries mural (10:30 AM)
• Expert Talk: GreenScapes in Focus with landscape architect Lisa Giersbach (1:00 PM)
• Timeline Cape Ann: Sawyer Free Library by Kory Curcuru of 1623 Studios documentary screening (12 & 2:30 PM)
• Inaugural Art Exhibition in Matz Gallery 
• Zine-making and collaborative art projects

Explore & Discover
• Tech demos in the Digital Learning Lab (podcast studio & more)
• Local History Treasures exhibit and Gloucester Timeline Demos
• “The Librarian Is In” booth (10 AM–12 PM)
• Photo Booth for keepsake snapshots (11 AM–2 PM)

Live Music in the Reading Lounge
• Highland Avenue Trio (10 AM–12 PM)
• Steve Lacey String Duo (12–2 PM)

Family-Friendly Fun
• Face painting, LEGO play, and STEM activities
• Strega Mama Story Hour (11 AM)
• Playful Engineers Program (2:00 PM)
• “Teen Zone” Ribbon Cutting (10:30 AM)
• T-shirt Dyeing (11 AM–1 PM)
• Mario Kart Tournament (2–4 PM, signup required)

 Food Trucks On-Site (in Library Parking Lot)
• Pizza by Rhea Pizzeria Napoletana
• Ice cream from SuperStar Ice Cream

Whether you’re a longtime patron or discovering the Sawyer Free Library for the first time, this celebration is for you! 

Come experience YOUR new library—reimagined, renewed, and ready to inspire.

For full event details and updates, visit sawyerfreelibrary.org.

Sawyer Free Library is on the Move —Here’s What You Need to Know

~ Sawyer Free Library

The wait is almost over! Final touches are underway on the newly renovated and expanded Sawyer Free Library, and we’re getting ready to return to our historic home at 2 Dale Avenue.

Here’s what you need to know:

  • Our temporary location at 21 Main Street will be closed as of 6 PM on Monday, June 9. 
  • In-person services will pause as we move 70,000 items, install new technology and furnishings, and complete final walkthroughs.
  • The announcement for when the newly renovated library at 2 Dale Avenue will re-open will be made in mid-July—stay tuned for the exact date!

During the Transition:
🌐 Online resources and virtual programs remain available at sawyerfreelibrary.org
📆 Due dates will be extended—no late fees
📬 Holds can be picked up at other NOBLE libraries
📪 Book drops will be closed—please hold onto items until we reopen
📴 Staff will be unavailable by phone or email during the closure

Need something in the meantime? Visit a neighboring NOBLE library to meet your borrowing and research needs.

All news, events, and service updates will be shared at sawyerfreelibrary.org and on our social media. Be sure to follow us.

Help Us Celebrate
Mark your calendars as everyone is invited to the:
🎉 Official Grand Opening & Ribbon-Cutting: Friday, September 5
🎉 Community Celebration & Open House: Saturday, September 6

Support the Final Phase
We are deeply grateful to all who have contributed to the project and proud of what your generosity has built so far.  But we are not done yet. If you can, please share the news of the 2025 Sawyer Free Library with others, increase your support of the project or make your very first gift. We need your help to fully fund this transformational project and bring it across the finish line. To donate: 2025.sawyerfreelibrary.org

See you soon!
We can’t wait to welcome you back to the reimagined 2025 Sawyer Free Library at 2 Dale Avenue.  Thank you for being part of this exciting new chapter for Sawyer Free Library and our great community!

Help Build Gloucester’s Future Today

~ Sawyer Free Library

2025 Sawyer Free Library 🌸 Spring Appeal

The future of the Sawyer Free Library is rising on Dale Avenue—and it’s breathtaking. On schedule and on budget, our modernized library is nearly complete and set to open its doors to the Gloucester community this fall!

This transformation is about more than a building. It’s about what happens inside, and every floor tells a story of inclusion and innovation.

On the Ground Floor

  • A cutting-edge Digital Learning Lab 💻
  • A Local History Research Center with an 85” interactive display and digital archive
  • A 100-seat Community Room for performances, workshops, and forums

On the First Floor

  • A warm, inviting Reading Lounge and expanded collection 📚
  • A Quiet Room for focused study and reflection
  • A newly expanded Matz Gallery showcasing Cape Ann’s artistic talent 🖼

On the Second Floor – 9,500 square feet devoted to Young Minds

  • A Light-Filled Children’s Room
  • An Early Learning Center supporting literacy from the start
  • A Creative Program Room for hands-on exploration
  • Gloucester’s only dedicated Teen Space and Creation Studio

We’re building more than a library—we’re creating a future where knowledge, equity, and opportunity can thrive. This is a library for everyone: every age, every voice, every dreamer. But we’re not quite there yet.

To everyone who has supported the Sawyer Free Library project—thank you. Your generosity has brought us this far, and we’re proud of what we’ve built together. Now, as we prepare to open the doors, we invite you to help us complete this transformational project by donating to the 2025 Sawyer Free Library 🌸 Spring Appeal.

💛 Let’s Finish This Together
Your gift will help turn this shared vision into reality. It’s an investment in Gloucester’s wellbeing, culture, and future. Please consider donating today at 2025.sawyerfreelibrary.org.

Whether you’ve already contributed, are considering an additional gift, or are giving for the first time—your support matters.

Together, let’s build a space where ideas grow, stories are shared, ​and our community shines! ☀️

Sawyer Free Library Receives $27,700 Mass Cultural Council Grant

~ Sawyer Free Library

Funding to support operations of expanded Sawyer Free Library  

For Immediate Release (January 27, 2024) Gloucester, MA – – The Sawyer Free Library has been awarded a $27,700 grant from the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency, through its Operating Grants for Organizations Program that provides multi-year, unrestricted operating grants to nonprofit organizations that enrich Massachusetts’ cultural life. This funding recognizes the Library’s commitment to high-quality cultural and educational resources and activities in the arts, humanities and sciences.

“Our Cape Ann residents deserve outstanding opportunities, and that’s exactly what the newly renovated and modernized state-of-the-art Sawyer Free Library will provide – for free to all,” said Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester). “This grant from the Mass Cultural Council is a crucial investment in our community, ensuring the Library remains a beacon of equal access and lifelong learning.”

“As the daughter of a school librarian, public libraries hold a special place in my heart,” said State Representative Ann-Margaret Ferrante (D-Gloucester). “The Sawyer Free Library fosters a love of reading, inspires learning, and cultivates connections among all the residents of Cape Ann. I am grateful to the Mass Cultural Council for their support at this exciting moment as the Library expands its resources, programs, and services to reach new audiences and build a lasting community.”

“We are deeply grateful to the Mass Cultural Council for recognizing the Sawyer Free Library’s public value,” said Mern Sibley, President of the Sawyer Free Library Board of Trustees. “For nearly 200 years, we have enriched lives, fostered creativity, and built connections. As we move into our newly renovated, expanded, and modernized space, this grant will help us broaden our reach, enhance our services, and continue building a brighter future for Gloucester.”

As the largest free public space in Gloucester, the Sawyer Free Library draws over 275,000 in-person and online visitors annually. Guided by its mission to cultivate community connections, power imaginations, inspire learning, and provide an inclusive, welcoming space for all, it hosts hundreds of free public programs each year. With a newly renovated and modernized building, the Library looks to increase monthly programs by 25% and community-focused events by 50%.

For Fiscal Year 2025, the Mass Cultural Council has adopted a $34 million spending plan, enabling the agency to award at least 2,500 grants totaling approximately $38 million to the Commonwealth’s creative and cultural sector. These funds primarily come from the Council’s $26.7 million state budget appropriation and support from the National Endowment for the Arts. Through initiatives such as the Mass Cultural Facilities Fund in partnership with MassDevelopment, the Council’s unrestricted organizational support grants help cultural organizations innovate, take on new challenges, and expand access for underserved audiences—improving quality of life, creating economic opportunity, and fostering greater cultural participation across Massachusetts.  

Mass Cultural Council funds reach every community in the Commonwealth. Its mission is to advance the Commonwealth’s creative and cultural sector by celebrating traditions and talents, championing its collective needs, and equitably investing public resources.

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Sawyer Free Library Receives $50,000 T-Mobile Hometown Grant for new Digital Learning Lab

~ Sawyer Free Library

The Sawyer Free Library is thrilled to announce it has been awarded a $50,000 Hometown Grant from T-Mobile. This generous grant will support the creation of the Digital Learning Lab, a cornerstone of the 2025 Sawyer Free Library transformation. The future focused space is designed to bridge the digital divide and equip the community with essential 21st-century skills.

The community is invited to join the celebration during the Middle Street Walk festivities. A ceremonial check presentation will be held on Saturday, December 14, at 12:00 p.m. in Kyrouz Auditorium immediately following The Cape Ann Big Band’s performance. All are welcome to attend!

T-Mobile’s Hometown Grant program is part of the company’s commitment to investing up to $25 million by 2026 in small towns and territories across America. These grants aim to create lasting impacts by supporting community-focused projects like Gloucester’s Digital Learning Lab.

Thanks to T-Mobile ‘s investment in Gloucester, the Sawyer Free Library is poised to continue serving as a beacon of learning and empowerment, ensuring all members of our community have access to the tools they need to succeed in our rapidly evolving world. The Library’s new Digital Learning Lab will offer:

  • Two audio recording studios
  • Four digital media creation, digitization, and collaborative workstations
  • A 12-seat classroom with an interactive teaching display

Spanning 800 square feet located on the ground floor, the Lab will be fully accessible, climate-controlled, and equipped with high-speed broadband internet and advanced technology. It is designed to support a wide range of users, from workforce development participants to budding entrepreneurs and independent innovators.

As part of the larger 2025 Sawyer Free Library renovation and expansion project, the Digital Learning Lab underscores the Library’s commitment to fostering a vibrant, inclusive learning environment for Gloucester’s residents.

Come one and come all this Saturday at City Hall at 12 noon and help us thank T-Mobile for their tremendous support of our incredible city!