Community Conversations

Gloucester Reads: Community Conversation with Author Kiely Reid – Tuesday, August 15th

~ Sawyer Free Library

The community is invited to the final event for Gloucester Reads, a summer initiative, when best-selling author Kiely Reid will take part virtually on Tuesday, Aug. 15 at Gloucester Stage Company located at 267 East Main Street.


Doors open for the free event at 6 p.m., and starting at 6:30 p.m., Reid, author of the award-winning “Such a Fun Age, will talk about her work. There will be selected readings from her book, “Such a Fun Age,” and a panel discussion in connection with Gloucester Reads.   

The program moderator is Michea McCaffrey, co-chair of the Gloucester Racial Justice Team and member of the Gloucester Human Rights Commission. The panel includes James Cook, principal of Gloucester High School; and Doug Rich, co-owner of Susie’s Stories in Rockport, and who also is a jazz musician. Refreshments will follow. 

Reid is a New York Times bestselling author and an assistant professor at the University of Michigan. “Such A Fun Age” was her debut novel and was longlisted for the 2020 Booker Prize.

Gloucester Reads Event:

Doors open at 6 pm
Author Kiley Reid speaks (virtually) from 6:30 – 7:30 pm
Community discussion and refreshments from 7:30 – 8 pm

Register Here

For more information, visit: sawyerfreelibrary.org.

Sawyer Free Library wants to hear from YOU! Virtual Public Meeting on Friday, June 2nd!

~ Sawyer Free Library

Gloucester’s Public Library seeks the community’s input for its strategic plan: Our Library. Our Future.

The Sawyer Free Library is eager to engage the community and gather valuable input for its 2025-2029 Strategic Plan.

Community Conversations will be held in over Zoom on Friday, June 2, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. and Tuesday, June 13, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Click HERE for meeting zoom links! Or go to the calendar on SawyerFreeLibrary.org

Community Conversation In Person on Monday, June 5 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. at the Sawyer Free Library’s temporary space at 21 Main Street.

Gloucester Conversations will moderate these public forums, which are open to everyone to attend, and share their thoughts, ideas, and insights about how the 2025 Sawyer Free Library can best serve them and the greater community. 

All Gloucester residents and visitors are also encouraged to fill out the Sawyer Free Library’s Community Input Survey. Regardless of how much or how little individuals use its services, everyone’s perspectives are welcome and encouraged.

The online survey is available online at www.SawyerFreeLibrary.org and will be open through July 1, 2023. 

The Sawyer Free Library expects to analyze the results this summer and compile a summary report, which will be shared with the community when the Library Board of Trustees finalizes the new 2025-2029 Strategic Plan. 

Community members can visit sawyerfreelibrary.org for more information and updates on ways to participate in the strategic planning process. The Library will also provide regular updates to keep community members informed and engaged throughout the process.