Happy Pride Month! You’re invited to a watch party this Thursday, June 20, 6:00 to 8:00 pm hosted by the Sawyer Free Libraryand the Cape Ann YMCA.
Teens and tweens, join us at the Cape Ann YMCA for an evening of tie dye, snacks, and a virtual author talk with author and TikToker Mercury Stardust who will discuss her new book, Safe and Sound: A Renter Friendly Guide to Home Repair, followed by a moderated Q&A session. Be sure to bring a white article of clothing that you’d like to dye.
Register here to let us know you are attending, 6th to 12th grader welcome. For more information, visit SawyerFreeLibrary.org or call 978-325-5500.
If you prefer to watch the virtual talk at home you can register to receive a link from the Rowley Public LibraryHERE.
Mercury Stardust, the Trans Handy Ma’am, is a professional home maintenance technician and award-winning activist. Mercury credits her TikTok success to her experience teaching burlesque, where she learned to communicate and create a safe space for students who had frequently experienced trauma. She’s been featured in stories by NBC, NPR, Buzzfeed, Newsweek, Washington Post, and Pink News. Her leadership within the trans community has led to collaborations with such brands as Dolby, Lowe’s, and Point of Pride.
Together in partnership, the Sawyer Free Library, Gloucester’s Racial Justice Team and Gloucester Health Department, announce the launch of Gloucester Reads2024, a citywide, intergenerational summer reading initiative. Running through August, this community-wide book club aims to spark conversations, inspire new ideas, and encourage introspection about race equity in our community.
In collaboration with sixteen additional community co-sponsors, Gloucester Reads 2024 will explore books reflecting Black experiences in America. This initiative includes selections for adults, young adults and children. Adults can participate in three ways: reading the book, joining a structured discussion group, and attending the virtual author’s talk. Young children and their families can participate by attending one of the readings being offered by several co-sponsors.
The summer book club’s main selection is How the Word Is Passed: A Reckoning with the History of Slavery Across America by Clint Smith. This acclaimed book, which has won the National Book Critics Circle Award for Nonfiction, the Hillman Prize for Book Journalism, the Stowe Prize, and the Dayton Literary Peace Prize, focuses on the history and present impact of slavery in the United States. Through eight sites, including New Orleans, Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello, New York City, and Angola Prison, Smith uses archival research and interviews to offer an intergenerational story of how slavery has shaped our nation’s history and memory.
For teens and tweens participants, the Gloucester Reads selection is The Promise Boys by Nick Brooks. In this murder mystery, the three boys of color accused of murder cunningly work together to discover the truth. For children and families, the picture book, Our Skin, A First Conversation About Race, which explains the range of humanity’s skin colors by Jessica Ralli and Megan Madison and illustrated by Isabel Roxas, will serve as the Family Book Club pick.
“We are honored to spearhead this important citywide reading initiative,” said Sawyer Free Library’s Director Jenny Benedict. “Gloucester Reads 2024 highlights the power of books to ignite empathy and inspire big ideas that promote communication, equity, collaboration, and learning. Bringing our community together helps to create a welcoming Gloucester for everyone.”
“The Gloucester Racial Justice Team is made up of individuals dedicated to fostering an inclusive and thriving city. Our mission—to create a safe and welcoming city where people from all races, ethnicities, and cultures can flourish—sets the stage for this exploration,” added Gloucester Racial Justice Co-Chair Michea McCaffre. “Gloucester Reads 2024 invites the entire community to join this collective endeavor, one that promises not only to enlighten us, but also to spur us to action.”
“Gloucester Reads 2024 intends to draw connections between the past and the present, deepening our understanding of the Black experience in Gloucester and the United States. We also want to cultivate a sense of unity, where every person feels a sense of belonging, in our beloved Gloucester,” said Nancy Goodman, the group’s other Co-Chair.
Moderated discussion groups on How the Word Is Passed will be hosted by different community partners throughout Gloucester between July 28 and August 11. Those interested in participating can find additional information at sawyerfreelibrary.org or by visiting the Sawyer Free Library at 21 Main Street. Participants are asked to pre-register.
Gloucester Reads 2024 will culminate in September with a live-stream panel discussion with Clint Smith, the New York Times bestselling author of the award-winning book How the Word Is Passed: A Reckoning With the History of Slavery Across America. Among his many other accomplishments, Smith is also the author of two poetry books, Above Ground and Counting Descent, both winners of the Literary Award for Best Poetry Book from the Black Caucus of the American Library Association and were finalists for NAACP Image Awards. This exciting and engaging event will be open to the public, with more details forthcoming.
The Sawyer Free Library will distribute free copies How the Word Is Passed at select community events, including the Juneteenth Celebration and Festival on Sunday, June 16 at the Cape Ann Museum. The books are also available for “check-out” at the Sawyer Free Library at 21 Main Street. Ebooks and Eaudiobooks are available instantly to anyone with a Library card and the Libby app. All Gloucester Reads books are also available for purchase at The Gloucester Bookstore and Suzie’s Stories in Rockport.
To ensure everyone can participate, Gloucester Reads is offering to cover childcare expenses for those attending discussion groups, the author’s talk, or both. Participants can request funds on the discussion group registration form.
For those looking to learn even more, other recommended Gloucester Reads titles include Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson, His Name is George Floydby Robert Samuels and Toluse Olorunnipa, The Fire This Timeby Jesmyn Ward, The Heaven and Earth Grocery Storeby James McBride and The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas.
For additional details and a complete list of Gloucester Reads 2024 programs, book suggestions, and learning resources on racial equity, visit sawyerfreelibrary.org.
In celebration of the St. Peter’s Fiesta, the Sawyer Free Library is pleased to host a local author talk with Laura Ventimiglia on Thursday, June 27 from 5:30 to 6:30 pm as she discusses her book, Nonna, What is Saint Peter’s Fiesta? The fiesta is a longstanding tradition in Gloucester, Massachusetts that pays homage to Saint Peter, the patron saint of fishermen and it celebrates the town’s historic fishing industry
Laura M. Alberghini is a third-generation Italian American and a retired college educator, author, and administrator who established Buttieri press in 2015 to support the preservation of family histories and traditions. She released her first book, A Letter to My Children, An Italian American Family’s Heritage, in 2016 as a dual language book in English and Italian. She lives in Gloucester, Ma with her family.
The event is open to all at 21 Main Street in downtown Gloucester. No registration needed.
For more information or question, visit sawyerfreelibrary.org or 978-325-5500.
On Saturday, June 15 from 10:30 to 11:30 am the Sawyer Free Librarywill host the Gloucester Genealogy Group to discuss the topic of Genealogy and Deeds.
Join Nancy Fitzgerald Doherty from the Southern Essex Registry of Deeds for a presentation on how to use and search the records of the Salem Deeds. The Southern Essex District Registry of Deeds maintains and provides access to land records for Southern Essex District and all of Essex County prior to 1869. The Salem Registry has the oldest continuous land records in the country dating back to 1639. Many older documents contain information on the people who owned the land, including professions, family members, and sometimes wills and estate listing. The Registry also maintains the Old Norfolk Deed Books, Ipswich Deed Books, Books of Executions and Depositions, historic city and town atlases, historic assessor maps, city directories and microfilm copies of early probate records. All of which can be helpful when trying to trace history within Essex County.
The Sawyer Free Library is pleased to host its community partner Wellspring, Inc. on Thursday, June 13 at 5:30 pm as they present HISTORY LIVES HERE and share the information they uncovered about the Freemans of West Gloucester, a prominent Black American family.
Born in 1731, Robin was enslaved to Captain Charles Byles, a mariner whose property was located across the street from Wellspring House. In his struggle to self-emancipate, Robin paid Capt. Byles 1# and 12 schillings in 1769 to secure his freedom. This was 21 years before there would be no recorded enslaved people in Massachusetts. When he died , Capt. Byles left Robin 40 schillings in his will.
In 1826, Robin’s son, Robert purchased this house and land and made it his family home. We will share with you the Freeman family stories of opportunity and resilience and learn more about their contributions to the Greater Cape Ann community. Your presence and interest honors Robin Freeman his family and their legacy.
All are welcome. No registration required. For more information, visit: sawyerfreelibrary.org
Where: Sawyer Free Library, 21 Main Street, downtown Gloucester
Whether you’re getting ready for prom or you just like flowers, enjoy this crafty program with the Sawyer Free Library on Thursday, May 30 from 2:30 to 4:00 pm at the Cape Ann YMCA.
Together we’ll be making flower crowns and boutonnieres using fresh flowers. All materials will be provided. The fun event is open to students in 6th through 12th grade. You do not need to be headed to a prom to attend this program – everyone is welcome.
The Sawyer Free Library is pleased to welcome local author Sally Goldenbaum of the best-selling Seaside Knittersmystery series inspired by Gloucester and Cape Ann on Thursday, May 30 from 5:30 to 6:30 pm at 21 Main Street.
Sally will discuss the most recent installment in the series, and the next in the series releasing in November. She’ll delve into what cozy mysteries are and how they differ from other sub-genres, how and why she began writing them, and the process of writing itself.
When: Thursday, May 30 from 5:30 to 6:30 pm
Where: Sawyer Free Library, 21 Main Street, Downtown Gloucester
As part of its Gloucester Genealogy Group Series, the Sawyer Free Library will present “Using DNA in Family History Research” on Thursday, May 16 from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. Registration is required at sawyerfreelibrary.org.
This lecture by Senior Genealogist, Melanie McComb, will introduce participants to the value and use of DNA in family history research. Basic DNA principles, types of tests, testing companies and key terminology will be introduced. Discussion includes interpreting your results and evaluating the matches found by the testing company. Organizing your results will also be covered.
Melanie McComb, Senior Genealogist at American Ancestors, assists library visitors, both on-site and online, with their family history research. She is an international lecturer who teaches on a variety of topics. Melanie holds a B.S. degree from the State University of New York at Oswego. She previously served as the social media coordinator for the NextGen Genealogy Network, a non-profit that creates a community for younger genealogists, where she managed the Facebook and Twitter accounts. She continues her interest in helping younger genealogists get involved at American Ancestors by assisting with educational programs from local schools, scout groups, and universities. Her areas of expertise include Irish genealogy, DNA, Atlantic Canada, Jewish genealogy, and military records.
This special event will take place at the Sawyer Free Library located at 21 Main Street in downtown Gloucester. Registration is required at sawyerfreelibrary.org.
For more information or questions, email jtravers@sawyerfreelibrary.org or call 978-325-5500.
The Sawyer Free Library is excited to be hosting an Open House for its new Teen Advisory Board on Monday, May 13 from 5:00 to 6:00 pmat Cape Ann Lanes located at 53 Gloucester Avenue.
All local teens and tweens are welcome to join the Sawyer Free Library Teen Advisory Board and help lead their library! This is the kick-off event, but in the future participants can expect:
* A monthly meeting with volunteer hours available
* Planning fun events
* Preparing for the 2025 Sawyer Free Library Teen Zone
So come, bring a friend and learn more! No registration required.
Questions? Contact Annalise Nakoneczny at anakoneczny@sawyerfreelibrary.org or call 978-325-5500
The Sawyer Free Library will welcome local author Henriette Lazaridis for a discussion of her new book Last Days in Plakaon Thursday, May 9 at 5:30-6:30 pm. The event will take place at the Sawyer Free Library at 21 Main Street in downtown Gloucester. Registration is not required.
Featured Buzz Pick on Good Morning America,Last Days in Planka, explores the lies at the heart of an old woman’s identity and the desperation of a young woman’s struggle to belong.
Searching for connection to her parents’ heritage, Greek American Anna works at an Athens gallery by day and makes street art by night. Irini is elderly and widowed, once well-to-do but now dependent on the charity of others. When the local priest brings the two women together, it’s not long before they form an unlikely bond. As they join the priest’s tiny congregation to study the Book of Revelation in preparation for a pilgrimage to Patmos, Anna sinks deeper into Irini’s stories of a glamorous past and an estranged daughter and lost wealth and the earthquake damage to her noble home. Looking for revelation of her own and driven by a sense that time is running out, Anna makes a decision that puts her in peril, exposes Irini’s web of lies, and compels Anna to confront the limits of her own forgiveness.
Henriette Lazaridis is the author of The Clover House (a Boston Globe bestseller), Terra Nova (which the New York Times called “ingenious”), and Last Days in Plaka (publishing April 2024). She earned degrees in English literature from Middlebury College, Oxford University, where she was a Rhodes Scholar, and the University of Pennsylvania. Having taught English at Harvard, she now teaches at GrubStreet in Boston. She was the founding editor of The Drum Literary Magazine and runs the Krouna Writing Workshop in northern Greece. Her essays and articles have been published in Elle, Forge, Narrative Magazine, The New York Times, New England Review, The Millions, and Pangyrus, and earned her a Massachusetts Cultural Council Artists Grant. An avid athlete, Henriette trains on the Charles River as a competitive rower, and skis, trail runs, or cycles whenever she can.
The event is open and free to attend at the Sawyer Free Library located at 21 Main Street in Gloucester. Registration not required. For more information, visit sawyerfreelibrary.org or call, 978-325-5500.
Cape Ann Community 