families

“So Salty” Fun at SFL@21Main Street Saturday, Jan. 21

~ Sawyer Free Library

Join in on the “So Salty” Fun at the Sawyer Free Library at 21 Main Street in downtown Gloucester on Saturday, January 21:

10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.   “Snacks by the Sea with The Open Door”

The Sawyer Free Library and The Open Door will present a cooking demonstration of a salty snack for families. Throughout the day, we will celebrate local food traditions with a display of our historic cookbooks and recipes in the Local History collection. 

1:00 to 2:00 p.m. “Sea Shanties and Maritime Heritage Through Folk Music“

Come listen, sing, engage, and celebrate maritime heritage and community with local musician and teacher Olivia Gale, who was born and raised in Gloucester. Join the fun as Olivia leads an exploration of history, story, and performance of sea shanties, nautical ballads, and other folk music written about the sea.  

Both events are free and open to all ages to come and enjoy!

These Sawyer Free Library events are a part of the 2nd Annual Gloucester’s So Salty Festival taking place throughout Gloucester Saturday, January 21 and Sunday January 22, 2023 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.


Celebrate the fish city’s recognizably salty character with local cultural institutions and businesses during the 2nd Annual Gloucester’s So Salty festival led by the Cape Ann Museum in partnership with area cultural institutions and businesses. Inspired by the annual Salem’s So Sweet event, this two-day event will include ice sculptures, live music, salty treats, free kids’ art activities, and much more.

All events are free and open to the public.

For additional details on the Library events, visit: sawyerfreelibrary.org or 978-325-5500.

Sawyer Free Library’s Storytime: New Time & Location

~ Sawyer Free Library

After a short pause, Sawyer Free Library‘s is excited to announce weekly STORYTIME with Christy is resuming at a new time and location – this Wednesday.

Join Christy for a morning of stories, songs, rhymes, bubbles and fun with friends this Wednesday, January 11 from 11:15am to 12 noon in Movement Arts Gloucester MA‘s beautiful space in downtown Gloucester.

During the construction phase of the Library, weekly Wednesdays Storytime for our youngest patrons and families will be held inside Brown’s Mall at MAGMA (Movement Arts Gloucester MA) located on the top floor of the Brown Building in Gloucester. Families and caregivers can enter at 186 Main Street and take the elevator to the 5th floor. Please note that the new time is 11:15am – 12noon, weekly on Wednesday.

Until construction begins, attendees are able to park in the Library’s parking lot, and walk over to Storytime via Pleasant Street. For more information visit, SawyerFreeLibrary.org or 978-515-6349.

For all other Sawyer Free Children’s Library services and activities please, visit 21 Main Street in downtown Gloucester or sawyerfreelibrary.org.

Reading and Book Signing by Local Author at Sawyer Free Library on Saturday, December 3

~ Sawyer Free Library

On Saturday, December 3, from 10:00- 11:30 am, the SAWYER FREE LIBRARY will host a reading and book signing of The Tree in Dock Square. Written by author Jean Woodbury and illustrated by Bonnie Sylvester, the book was the Cape Ann Reads’ First Prize Winner.

Inspired by a true story in Rockport, this charming children’s book about a town’s holiday tradition and a child’s love for her grandfather has been described as “rich in the warmth of family and community connections.” 

The author, Jean Woodbury, will read from her book followed by the illustrator, Bonnie L. Sylvester, leading a craft activity based on themes from the holiday story. Signed copies of the book will be available for purchase, or people are welcome to bring their own book to be signed. 

The Sawyer Free Library’s new downtown location is 21 Main Street in Gloucester.  

The family friendly event is free and open to the public. For questions, please visit SawyerFreeLibrary.org or call 978-350-5500. 

Cape Ann Reads: The art of children’s literature is strong throughout Cape Ann and is part of its rich cultural history. To mark the 75th anniversary of author and illustrator Virginia Lee Burton winning the Caldecott Medal for her book, The Little House, the four Cape Ann’s libraries (Sawyer Free Library in Gloucester, Manchester by the Sea Public Library, TOHP Burnham Public Library in Essex, and Rockport Public Library) launched Cape Ann Reads. The joint library project with community partners and the Cape Ann Museum aimed to highlight Cape Ann artists and writers and strengthen community connections and family literacy. Special events included a picture book contest for Cape Ann residents, with the Grand Prize being a first-edition hardcover publication by Cape Ann Reads.

“Snakes of the World” with Rick Roth at the Sawyer Free Library on Saturday morning!

~ Sawyer Free Library

Rick Roth and the Cape Ann Vernal Pond Team will bring their exciting presentation, SNAKES OF THE WORLD, to the Sawyer Free Library outdoor amphitheater on Saturday, July 23 from 11am -12pm.

Join Rick and his team as they introduce many snakes, large and small, and some local! You will have the opportunity to hold and handle the snakes or admire them while learning about the amazing creatures.

The event is free and open to all. In case of inclement weather, the presentation will be held in the Library’s Friends Room. Questions? Contact: jvitale@sawyerfreelibrary.org or 978-325-5505. 

Learn more about Vernal Pools at the Sawyer Free Library with Rick Roth – this Saturday Morning, April 23

~ Sawyer Free Library

This Saturday morning, April 23rd, join Rick Roth and Cape Ann Vernal Pond Team for an introduction to vernal pools and all the amazing critters that call them home! Drop into the Friends Room from 11 a.m. to 12 noon and see what he brings and learn about vernal pools. 

Great for families and children of all ages. No registration needed. For more information visit, sawyerfreelibrary.org or 978-325-5505.

School Vacation Week at the Sawyer Free Library!

~ Sawyer Free Library

There is lots going on at the Sawyer Free Library during April Vacation for kids and families of all ages to enjoy! Swing by to check it all out!

Saturday, April 16, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., Science Saturday with Marisa – Join Children’s Librarian Marisa for a morning of family fun of exploring facts and science topics through sensory play, stories, music and movement. Great for families and children of all ages.  No registration needed.

Tuesday, April 19, 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., Make It: Muppet Edition for Middle Schoolers – Great for kids in grades 4-8! Design and create your very own Muppet Puppet. Register Here!

Thursday, April 21, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., Cape Ann Symphony Family Concert and Reading – Musical adaptation of Katy and the Big Snow by Virginia Lee Burton. Great for families and children of all ages. No registration needed. 

Thursday, April 21, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., Candy Bar Trivia Night for Middle Schoolers – Great for kids grades 4-8.  How fast can you hit your buzzer? How many candy bars can you win? Join us for a night of trivia at the Library. Register Here!

Saturday, April 23, 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., Introduction to Vernal Pools – Join Rick Roth and Cape Ann Vernal Pond Team for an introduction to vernal pools and all the amazing critters that call them home! Drop in and see what he brings and learn about vernal pools. Great for families and children of all ages. No registration needed. 

While you’re at it, don’t forget to mark your calendars for Glo Con 22‘ on Saturday, April 30th from 10am – 3pm! The Sawyer Free Library’s first-ever Comic-Con is a free, all-ages event celebrating comics and graphic novels, as art, as literature, and as a part of pop culture! It will bring together fans, young and old, and creators for a jam-packed day of special guests, workshops, live programs, games, photo ops, food trucks, and much fun. Costumes are encouraged! Registration only for workshops required.

For more information on these or all the great things going on at the Library visit: SawyerFreeLibrary.com or call 978.325-5500!
aw

Vacation Week at the Sawyer Free Library


Boston Red Sox’s Wally Making Books Come Alive with Sawyer Free Library on Wednesday, June 30 at 2pm

~ Sawyer Free Library

Join the Sawyer Free Library for a virtual story time with Wally & Tessie from the Boston Red Sox on Wednesday, June 30 at 2:00 pm and explore stories in a new and exciting way!

The mascots of the Boston Red Sox, Wally and Tessie the Green Monsters, will encourage and inspire us to get reading and have fun! Register here and a zoom link will be sent out prior to the program.

For more information, visit sawyerfreelibrary.org.

Wally and Tessie from the Boston Red Sox

School Vacation Week Fun with the Sawyer Free Library: Winter Hibernation presented by Hands on Nature

~ Sawyer Free Library

How do your favorite animals spend the winter? On Thursday, February 18 at 10:00 a.m., children and families will have fun finding out during an interactive virtual program presented by Hands on Nature. Learn all about hibernation, how animals look for shelter and the amazing adaptations they have for surviving through the harshest temperatures in New England.

This is a virtual event hosted by the Sawyer Free Library. Please register online for the Zoom link which will be sent by Children’s Services. Click here to register. Space is limited.

After the program, families can continue the fun by making a cozy hibernation den for a favorite small stuff animal using materials from around the home including a small paper bag, glue, scissors, crayons and cotton balls or dried leaves.