education

Weekly Technology Help at Sawyer Free Library

~ Sawyer Free Library

Looking for some help navigating your personal technology – the Sawyer Free Library‘s Technology Assistant is here to help!

Each Tuesday, 3:00 to 4:00 pm, Tech Tuesday: Drop-in Advice: Drop-in sessions for troubleshooting your digital devices or chat about anything tech related. Learn about library apps, chat about current events in the digital world, set up new devices, or anything else tech-related – Our tech assistant is available from 3-4 to work one on one, or even as a group if there are similar questions. Drop in, bring your device, and let’s chat! No registration needed!

Each Thursday, 11:00 am to 2:00 pm, Device Advice Sessions by Appointment: Register for a 30-minute, one-on-one session with the Library’s Technology Assistant to troubleshoot devices, set up a phone or tablet, or learn digital tasks. Bring your fully charged device, necessary accessories, and passwords. Registration required at sawyerfreelibrary.org or call us at 978-500-5500 to book an appointment.

Although there’s a lot we can help you with, there are some things that we won’t be able to troubleshoot because they are outside our scope and abilities, such as your home WiFi – or cell service – things like that are better remedied by calling your internet or cell phone provider.

All sessions are at Sawyer Free Library located at 21 Main Street, Downtown Gloucester.

For questions, call 978-325-5500.

Fall Birding Hot Spots Gloucester’s Hidden Gems: A guided birding tour with Gino Ellison this Sat!

~ Sawyer Free Library

Join expert birder and conservationist GINO ELLISON for a guided bird walk around Gloucester’s hidden fall birding hot spots.

Starting at 7:00 am, on Saturday, October 26, join the Sawyer Free Library for an on-location, guided bird walk around Gloucester! Beginners Wanted and Welcomed!

Please note that patrons will need their own transportation for this event. Registration is required at sawyerfreelibrary.org.

Patrons will meet at Gloucester’s Fisherman Memorial Statue on Stacy Boulevard, and then car caravan to locations such as: The Jodrey State Fish Pier – Niles Beach – Eastern Point – Brace Cove – The Elks Club Beach Lookout – and finally end at a tbd coffee shop for conversation and sharing ideas on bird books to read!

Patrons should bring the following for this event:  binoculars – weather appropriate clothing – sunglasses – water – camera w/ zoom lens (if so inclined) – a smile, and a positive attitude!

About Gino:

Eugene (Gino) Ellison, is a lifetime resident of Massachusetts. He is happily married to his wonderful wife Kate (38 years) and they have 3 fun kids and 4 active grandkids. Gino is now retired from the investment business as well as the Professional Bass Fishing Tournament circuit. He’s been affiliated with Bass Pro Shops for over 25 years and still makes several store appearances each year. Gino is a hunter, fisherman, conservationist and passionate birder who leads dozens of walks in Massachusetts. Gino greatly enjoys volunteering with Mass Wildlife and with Mass Audubon at their family birding & fishing events. Gino just completed a successful ABA Birding Big Year in 2023 and is scheduled to speak at birding festivals and clubs around New England and nationwide.

 Patrons will need their own transportation for this event. Registration required at sawyerfreelibrary.org. 

Calling all Creative Arts Entrepreneurs!! This free workshop is for you! Learn ways to Identify Your Ideal Customer and Find Solutions to Reach Them

~ Sawyer Free Library

This is the second of a three-part series “Branding Your Own Creative Arts Business: A Three-Part Marketing and Communications Series”

Learning to market your own creative arts business involves developing a vision of the audience you are looking to reach. How do you determine your target market? Who are you selling to? Simplify your success by learning what questions to ask to identify your market and determine which channels to use to reach them. To find out – join the Sawyer Free Library at 21 Main Street on Tuesday, October 15 from 5:00 to 6:00 pm.

This is the second of a three-part series entitled “Branding Your Own Creative Arts Business: A Three-Part Marketing and Communications Series” led by Leah Hancock, owner and founder of Placid Marketing with over 15 years of experience in integrated and online marketing communications.

Registration required at sawyerfreelibrary.org. Space is limited! If you have questions, please contact moneill@sawyerfreelibrary.org or 978-325-5562.

October Author Talks Online with the Sawyer Free Library

~ Sawyer Free Library

REGISTER TODAY FOR THE FOLLOWING VIRTUAL AUTHOR TALKS hosted by the Sawyer Free Library, for the links, register at sawyerfreelibrary.org. 

Wednesday, October 2, 2:00 to 3:00 pm, A Journey into the Hidden World of Tropical Bats with Scientists from the Smithsonian – Join us as we welcome three Smithsonian-affiliated scientists to explore the fascinating world of tropical bats. Based on the book Bat Island: A Rare Journey into the Hidden World of Tropical Bats, their presentation will showcase decades of research on Panama’s diverse bat species, featuring insights from scientists and stunning photography by National Geographic contributor Christian Ziegler. Learn about bats’ unique adaptations, ecological importance, and the conservation efforts needed to protect these essential creatures.  For the link, register HERE.

Wednesday, October 8, 7:00 to 8:00 pm, Liberating Latin American Genre Fiction with Bestselling Author Silvia Moreno-Garcia – An inspiring conversation with Silvia Moreno-Garcia, the highly acclaimed New York Times bestselling author of Mexican Gothic, The Daughter of Doctor Moreau, Gods of Jade and Shadow, and more. Moreno-Garcia will discuss Latin American genre fiction, her writing process, and her latest book, The Seventh Veil of Salome. For the link, register HERE. 

Tuesday, October 22, 2:00 to 3:00 pm, Author Talk: Maybe You Should Talk to Somebody with Lori Gottlieb – An insightful discussion with Lori Gottlieb, author of Maybe You Should Talk to Someone, who will share her experiences as both a therapist and a patient. Despite her qualifications, Gottlieb emphasizes that her most important credential is her understanding of the human experience, particularly during times of crisis. Don’t miss this opportunity to explore the truths and fictions that can hold us back from living our desired lives. For the link, register HERE.

For the links to these virtual author talks and to learn about other upcoming events, register at sawyerfreelibrary.org. 

Brought to you in partnership with the Library Speakers Consortium.

Gloucester 400 Storytellers: Leonard Craske with James Clark

~ Sawyer Free Library

Join the Sawyer Free Library on Thursday, September 26 from 5:30 to 6:30 pm for an engaging presentation describing recent discoveries and old mysteries surrounding the life and art of Leonard Craske, the sculptor of Gloucester’s iconic Fishermen’s Memorial, Man at the Wheel. James Clark, of Gloucester, will share insights from his research which began in the small town of Annascaul, Ireland. Clark soon developed his research to become the first biography of Craske’s life. It was presented as a signature story of the Gloucester400+ Commemorative Book, Our People, Our Stories.

Mr. Clark and Terry Weber Mangos, Gloucester 400+ Stories Project Leader, have identified many long-forgotten works by Leonard Craske. Please join us at 21 Main Street to learn more about this remarkably creative life and remember an adopted son of Gloucester! 

Registration is required at sawyerfreelibrary.org. Space is limited. For questions, call 978-325-5500.

This event is the result of a partnership between the Gloucester400+ Stories Project and the Sawyer Free Library.

Hobby to Side Hustle: Empowering the Creative Arts Entrepreneur

~ Sawyer Free Library

Are you curious about shifting your creative hobby to an income-generating venture? Could you use marketing support but you’re not sure where to start? Planning tools and resources will be provided to help you clarify your needs and goals as you begin to brand your own creative arts business.

Join the Sawyer Free Library on Tuesday, September 17 at 5:00 to 6:00 pm for the first of a three-part series entitled “Branding Your Own Creative Arts Business: A Three-Part Marketing and Communications Series.” The workshop will be led by Leah Hancock, owner and founder of Placid Marketing with over 15 years of experience in integrated and online marketing communications.

The program will be held on the Main Floor of the Library located at 21 Main Street in Gloucester.

For more information or question, please contact Meg O’Neill at moneill@sawyerfreelibrary.org or 978-325-5562.

Gloucester Reads: Children’s Storytime

~ Sawyer Free Library

Join the Sawyer Free Library on Monday morning, September 8 at 10:45am for a fun and interactive storytime celebrating this year’s Gloucester Reads 2024 children’s book selection, Our Skin: A First Conversation About Race by Megan Madison and Jessica Ralli, with pictures by Isabel Roxas. Following reading the book together, there will be a fun craft to work on!

From Penguin Random House:

While young children are avid observers and questioners of their world, adults often shut down or postpone conversations on complicated topics because it’s hard to know where to begin. Research shows that talking about issues like race and gender from the age of two not only helps children understand what they see, but also increases self-awareness, self-esteem, and allows them to recognize and confront things that are unfair, like discrimination and prejudice.

Developed by experts in the fields of early childhood and activism against injustice, this topic-driven picture book begins the conversation on race, with a supportive approach that considers both the child and the adult. No registration needed. For questions, visit: SawyerFreeLibrary.org or 978-325-5500.

Gloucester Reads is a collaboration between the Gloucester Racial Justice Team, the Sawyer Free Library, and Gloucester Health Department.

Tech Tuesday: Walk-In Sessions – Tues, Sept 3 and 17

~ Sawyer Free Library

Don’t miss Tech Tuesday Drop-in Sessions on Tuesday, September 3 and 17 from 3:00 to 4:00 pm at the Sawyer Free Library for troubleshooting your digital devices, or to chat about tech trends, devices, news, AI or really anything tech related!

No registration is required. First come, first served – or we can chat as a group if there are similar questions, comments or quandaries. Stop in anytime between 3 and 4 pm at 21 Main St and meet with our Technology Assistant, Joe Wilkins at the Information Services Desk.

If you have questions related to this service, call 978-325-5500.

Library Storytime at 21 Main with Tricia!

~ Sawyer Free Library

Every Wednesday from 10:30 to 11:15 am

The Sawyer Free Library is thrilled to bring storytime back to 21 Main Street! Starting August 28th, join the Library every Wednesday morning from 10:30 to 11:15 am for a fun and interactive experience with the new Children’s Librarian, Tricia Balsan. Children of all ages, along with their caregivers, are welcome to participate in this engaging session where everyone moves, sings, plays, and shares stories together. Tricia, a picturebook enthusiast, will share some of her favorite books and introduce both kids and adults to the unique art and design elements that make these stories special.

No registration is required. If you have questions, call 978-325-5500 or visit sawyerfreelibrary.org.




Rarified Air: One Passionate Birder’s Big Year Quest with Gino Ellison 

~ Sawyer Free Library

Thursday, August 29, 5:00 to 6:30 pm: Big Year Birder, Gino Ellison at Sawyer Free Library

How many different bird species could you dream of seeing, capturing a sound recording of, or photographing, from January 1 to December 31 of any given year? Have you ever considered doing an ABA (American Birding Association) Birding Big Year? How about a county or statewide Big Year? Why would you want to even do one? How does one plan out all the logistics to ensure that each of the important states are visited at the most opportune times? Can you do this alone, or do you need to seek out help? If you find yourself asking any of these questions, or are just interested in birds and birding, read on!

On August 29th from 5:00 to 6:30 pm, the Sawyer Free Library will host Rarified Air – One Passionate Birders’ Big Year Quest, with Gene (Gino) Ellison.

Come and meet Big Year Birder, Gino Ellison, and see tons of beautiful bird photographs, while also hearing one birder’s tale about a 12-month quest of a life time. Learn about the mishaps, the successes, the lessons learned along the way, the hilarious birding stories, the new life-time friends made on the journey, and the joy of reporting 801 bird species during 2023! 

Be warned… if you attend, you just might get the urge to plan a Big Year yourself! 

This will be a 1 hour presentation, followed by a brief question and answer session*.

More about Gino:

Eugene (Gino) Ellison, is a lifetime resident of Massachusetts. He is happily married to his wonderful wife Kate (38 years) and they have three fun kids and four active grandkids. Gino is now retired from the investment business as well as the Professional Bass Fishing Tournament circuit. Gino has been affiliated with Bass Pro Shops for over 25 years and still makes several store appearances each year. Gino is a hunter, fisherman, conservationist and passionate birder who leads dozens of walks in Massachusetts. He greatly enjoys volunteering with Mass Wildlife and with Mass Audubon at their family birding and fishing events. Gino just completed a successful ABA Birding Big Year in 2023 and is scheduled to speak at birding festivals and clubs around New England and nationwide.

The event will take place at the Sawyer Free Library located at 21 Main Street located in downtown Gloucester. No registration is needed. All are welcome to attend. If you have questions, visit SawyerFreeLibrary.org or call 978-325-5500.