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Sawyer Free Library’s Summer Workshops for Job Seekers

~ Sawyer Free Library

The Sawyer Free Library’s Job Seekers Summer Workshop Series continues through the summer. The workshops, presented by career counseling expert Gary Gekow, are free and accessible to those in the Gloucester community and beyond. Each offer practical advice and guidance to those looking to discover a new career path, gain new job skills, find jobs opportunities. Register HERE for the free classes!

To follow are the upcoming virtual classes:  

The Importance of Linked In, Tuesday, July 27, 7-8:30 pm

Did you know that there are over 467 million LinkedIn users worldwide? The workshop will review best practices as they relate to online profile creation and managing one’s account. The class will also highlight the many additional usages of LinkedIn, including the importance of joining groups and getting others to offer testimonials. 


Online Job Search and Resume Submittal, Tuesday, August 3, 11 am-12:30 pm & 7-8:30 pm

This workshop will analyze and discuss numerous online search strategies, including job alerts, job boards, job aggregators, and company  employment pages. The group led by expert Gary Gekow will then discuss how to best utilize these websites for submitting one’s resume. 

The Art of Networking, Tuesday, August 10, 7-8:30pm

Job fairs, corporate hiring events, Meetups, and other online social media platforms are just some avenues where people can promote their networking skills. While attending these events and dropping off a resume is a good start, deeper engagement is required in today’s job market. Learn from the career professional about networking strategies to better enhance your employment attainment prospects. 


Adjusting to a Changing New Normal, Tuesday, August 24, 7-8:30pm

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a major impact on employment issues and job search trends. This interactive virtual Zoom meeting will address a series of topics including, but not limited to working from home, remaining positive and productive amidst disruptions to everyday life, building relationships through collaborations, and taking advantage of free online tools. 

The Job Seekers Summer Workshop Series is a part of the Sawyer Free Library’s recently launched Resources for Job Seekers Program. The program also features one-on-one resume sessions and a dedicated webpage, available in over 100 world languages, with extensive resources specially curated by Library staff and expert-led virtual workshops.  

For more information about the program, call 978-325-5500 or email: jobseeker@sawyerfreelibrary.org. To register for a workshop session or to reserve a resume review session, go to sawyerfreelibrary.org


This program has been made possible through a federal Library Service and Technology Act (LSTA) grant awarded by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioner (MBLC).

 

The Grill is Hot at the Sawyer Free Library!

~ Sawyer Free Library

Yes, you can become the envy of your neighbors by becoming the ultimate grill master!

All you have to do is join the Sawyer Free Library on Wednesday, July 21 from 2:30-4:30pm for a fun and informative live and in-person event and learn all you need to know about Summer Grilling from local Farm-to-Table Chef Justus Dunton.

Chef Dunton has worked in premier and starred restaurants from Boston to Costa Rica. He has created his own company, Dagger Board Hospitality that brings farm-fresh, hand forraged, and delicious food to our local community through his pop-up dinners and teaching programs.

Weather permitting, we will meet outside in the Sawyer Free Library amphitheater.

Register here as space is limited!

For more information, go to SawyerFreeLibrary.org

Adult Book Bingo at the Sawyer Free Library

~ Sawyer Free Library

Get in on the summer fun at the Sawyer Free Library with ADULT SUMMER READING 2021: BOOK BINGO!

From now until September 1, 2021, those 18 and older can keep track of the books they read on the Sawyer Free Library’s downloadable custom bingo card by writing the title and author in the matching square.

Each completed horizontal, vertical or diagonal line enters you into a raffle to win $25, $50, or $75 Cape Ann Gift Certificates.

Thanks to the generous support of The Friends of the Sawyer Free Library, program participation is free, and registration is now open for this and all family summer reading programs. Check out all the fun activities, events and reading challenges for children and teens too!

Sawyer Free Library’s summer operating hours are Monday through Friday, 10 am to 5 pm, Thursday 12 – 7:00 pm, and Saturday 10:00 am to 1 pm and 24/7 at sawyerfreelibrary.org.

For more information about the “Summer at the Sawyer Free Library,” or to register for programs, visit: sawyerfreelibrary.org or call 978-325-5501.

MAKE A SPLASH THIS SUMMER AT THE SAWYER FREE LIBRARY

~ Sawyer Free Library

The SAWYER FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY is excited to announce that its adventure-filled “Summer at the Library” program has officially kicked off. The theme is “Tails and Tales,” and it’s overflowing with opportunities to read great books, enjoy unique experiences and win prizes. 

The Children’s Library Staff have begun distributing “Welcome to Summer Reading Packets” to young people and their families, which have program information, the event calendar, activities, and fun summer treats. Children can stay on top of their summer reading with their own “Tails and Tales” time-tracking reading logs. After reading for 500 minutes (or are read to), they win prizes.

The packets are available in the Library or through curbside pick-up. People can register in-person or online for the program. “Tails and Tales” themed curbside crafts for families will also be available for pick-up over the summer. 

The summertime programs for children will officially begin on Tuesday, July 6 at 10:30 am with a virtual celebration and an up-close look at exotic and native animals on zoom presented by Wildlife Encounters Ecology Center. 

Throughout the summer, the Library will host both outside in-person events and virtual programs for children of all ages and their families, including:

  • Discover your inner Picasso with Stories and Art with Cape Ann Museum on July 8 and August 5 at 3 pm
  • Move your body with Creative Movement in the Library’s Amphitheater on July 13 and Adventures in Wellness Kids Outdoor Yoga at Stage Fort Park on July 22 and 29. 

Children can learn virtually about snakes of the world with Rick Roth on July 26 to 31, the wonders of Monarch Butterflies with Kim Smith August 3 to 7, insight on insects with Ms. Frizzle’s Magic School Bus on August 10, and so much more. 

SFL has big plans for teens this summer too. Students entering grades 6-12 are encouraged to track their Summer Reading on the custom form available on the Library’s website to qualify for weekly prize drawings and the grand prize drawing of two whale watch tickets, courtesy of Cape Ann Whale Watch.

SFL is giving adults the chance to get in on the summer fun with Adult Book Bingo 2021. From now until September 1, 2021, those 18 and older can keep track of the books they read on the Library’s downloadable custom bingo card by writing the title and author in the matching square. Each completed horizontal, vertical or diagonal line enters you into a raffle to win $25, $50, or $75 Cape Ann Gift Certificates.

Thanks to the generous support of The Friends of the Sawyer Free Library, program participation is free, and registration is now open for all children, teens, and adult programs.

Sawyer Free Library’s summer operating hours are Monday through Friday, 10 am to 5 pm, Thursday 12 – 7:00 pm, and Saturday 10:00 am to 1 pm and 24/7 at sawyerfreelibrary.org.

For more information about the “Summer at the Sawyer Free Library,” or to register for programs, visit: sawyerfreelibrary.org or call 978-325-5501.

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

Sawyer Free Library’s “Technology on the Horizon” series to host Patrick Flanagan, founder of OceanLab

~ Sawyer Free Library

On Monday, June 28, 6:30-8pm, the SAWYER FREE LIBRARY will present the second talk in their informative series  “TECHNOLOGY ON THE HORIZON,” which spotlights individuals and organizations on the North Shore working with critical or emerging technologies.

Most of the ocean is remote, deep, dark, cold, and extremely high pressure. So how do we help more people explore it?

Join PATRICK FLANAGAN, founder and director of OceanLab, in a virtual discussion of technologies that make exploration of the ocean more accessible to all. Learn about the evolution of technologies that allow organizations like OceanLab dive deep into deepest depths of our oceans. 

Click HERE to register to receive the Zoom link for the live presentation.

Local Author Talk with Patricia Hanlon

~ Sawyer Free Library

Sawyer Free Library is hosting local author PATRICIA HANLON on Wednesday, June 23 from 7-8:30m for a virtual book talk about her recently published book “Swimming to the Top of the Tide.”

REGISTER HERE to receive Zoom Link.

“The Great Marsh is the largest continuous stretch of salt marsh in New England, extending from Cape Ann to New Hampshire. Patricia Hanlon and her husband built their home and raised their children alongside it. But it’s not until the children are grown that they begin to swim the tidal estuary daily. Immersing herself, she experiences, with all her senses in all seasons, the vigor of a place where the two ecosystems of fresh and salt water mix, merge, and create new life. Noting the disruptions caused by human intervention, she bears witness to the vitality of the watersheds, their essential role in the natural world, and the responsibility of those who love them to contribute to their sustainability.” -Bellevue Literary Press

Live Music in the Amphitheatre: “Knock on Wood” performs at the Sawyer Free Library

~ Sawyer Free Library

Come one, come all and be ready to have some fun!

Join the Sawyer Free Library this Saturday, June 19 at 11:00 am outside in the Amphitheatre for live performance by musical group “KNOCK ON WOOD“

Knock on Wood is a high-energy, family-friendly acoustic folk-rock duo, featuring singer-songwriter Howie Newman on guitar, lead vocals and harmonica. Howie is joined by Joe Kessler, one of the top fiddlers in the area. They also play mandolin and sing backup vocals. The duo performs Classic Rock covers and funny original songs (suitable for all ages). It’s a very lively show with great musicianship, nice vocal harmonies and a little humor here and there.

This program is supported in part by a grant from the Gloucester Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.

For more information visit SawyerFreeLibrary.org

Sawyer Free Library Launches New Resources for Job Seekers

~ Sawyer Free Library


The Sawyer Free Library is pleased to announce the launch of their new Job Seekers Resource Program to assist job seekers throughout the Cape Ann community gain a competitive edge. Targeted to the needs of today’s job hunter – the new program supports people in discovering a new career path, gain new job skills, find job opportunities, and more. 

The program features expert-led virtual workshops, one-on-one resume sessions, and a new dedicated webpage, available in over 100 world languages, with extensive resources specially curated by Library staff.  All resources are free and accessible to those in the Gloucester community and beyond. 


“Our goal with this new Job Seekers program is to provide a combination of programs, informational resources and knowledge about local opportunities so that everyone in our community, regardless of income, age, education, or language, can acquire new skills and have the support they need for their job search. We want the public to know that we have their backs and we are here to help them successfully get back to work,” said Library Director Jenny Benedict. 

Job Seekers Summer Workshop Series 

Job seekers attending the virtual workshops will learn effective job search strategies, interviewing best practices, networking, how best to craft resumes and cover letters, and tips on changing careers, stress management, and more. Each week career counseling experts will share their insight and knowledge to help attendees plan and achieve their goals. The series runs from June – August. 

The first workshop, A Guide to Interviewing for Graduating Students and their Families, is scheduled for June 8 from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. Click here to register.

This skills-based workshop is geared toward high school students embarking on college interviews and college graduates facing employment interviews.  Employment specialist and career coach, Gary Gekow, will share a variety of strategies to help students navigate through this challenging experience. 

All programs are free, open to everyone, and no library card is needed, although registration is required.   The full schedule is available at sawyerfreelibrary.org/job-seekers-resources/. 

Job Seeker Resources Web Page 

The Sawyer Free Library has launched a web page for job seekers that is easy to navigate, multilingual, accessible, and comprehensive, containing self-assessment, job search and networking tools, resume and cover letter assistance, and live interview prep and practice. These job search resources are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week for free, on any device, anywhere with an internet connection at sawyerfreelibrary.org/job-seeker-resources/.  

Job Seeker One-on-One Services 

Those needing help with their resume and cover letters can make an appointment for a one-on-one resume review session.  In addition, the Library has available free WiFi and computer access with printing and scanning capability. Computers, Chromebooks, and tablets are also available for public use. 

For more information about the Resources for Job Seeker program, call 978-325-5500 or email: jobseeker@sawyerfreelibrary.org. To register for a workshop session or to reserve a resume review session, go to sawyerfreelibrary.org.

Through its hundreds of free programs, it offers each year the Sawyer Free Library is committed to strengthening the fabric of the community they serve and helping Gloucester create and maintain a healthy, vibrant workforce so that individuals and families who live here can thrive. For more information on the Sawyer Free Library and “Resources for Jobs Seekers” programming, visit SawyerFreeLibrary.org


Sawyer Free Library to present screening of Jane Eyre followed by Cast & Director Talkback on May 6th

~ Sawyer Free Library

Join the Sawyer Free Library on Thursday, May 6, from 6:30-9 p.m. for a free virtual screening of a new adaptation of Charlotte Brontë’s classic novel Jane Eyre. Adapted by Salem, Mass., resident Julie Butters and performed by Flock Theatre of New London, Conn., the production was filmed over Zoom during the COVID pandemic and supplements live-action performances with shadow puppetry. Butters, who also plays adult Jane, will discuss making the film following the screening alongside director Derron Wood and actor Eric Michaelian (Mr. Rochester) to share the film’s details.

Jane Eyre, an orphan in early nineteenth-century England, overcomes a loveless childhood to become a governess to the ward of the enigmatic Mr. Rochester. Jane soon believes she’s found the home and the love she’s always yearned for, but Mr. Rochester’s dark secrets threaten to keep them apart. Blending gothic romance with a powerful story of personal growth, Jane Eyre explores one woman’s struggle to find love and independence despite barriers of gender, class, and circumstance.  

Register here for this free event or for more information visit SawyerFreeLibrary.org .