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 Raceby 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.
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, TriciaBalsan. 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.
Family Fun Event on Saturday, August 10 at 11:15 am
Come learn about, meet & handle (if you’d like!) many types of snakes, some of which are from our local area. Rick Roth and his Cape Ann Vernal Pond team will share their knowledge and enthusiasm as they present science in a unique and fun way and help the Sawyer Free Library celebrate the summer reading theme of Read, Renew, Repeat which strives to bring attention to our natural world.
All ages are welcome at this family-friendly event which will be held on Saturday, August 10 at 11:15am at the Trinity Congregational Church, lower level, 70 Middle Street in Gloucester.
No registration required. For more information visit SawyerFreeLibrary.org or call 978-325-5500. This special event is made possible in part through the generosity of the the Constance T. Rhinelander Fund.
On Monday, August 5 from 11:00 to 11:45 am everyone is invited to enjoy a FUN FAMILY CONCERT featuring the award-winning band “Ants on a Long” performing music that centers positivity, social justice, and silliness. Full of humor and harmony, Ants concerts are energetic, interactive, and a delight for children and adults.
Presented by the Sawyer Free Library in collaboration Rockport and Manchester-by-the-Sea Public Libraries,the free concert will take place at Masconomo Park, 60 Beach St, Manchester-by-the-Sea, with the rain location at the Rockport Public Library. For more information visit, sawyerfreelibrary.org
Backyard Growersbrings a fun outdoor children’s gardening program to the Sawyer Free Libraryin a series of Thursdaymorning events at 10:00 am throughout the summer! Children will plan, plant, water, weed, maintain and harvest a garden at the library in July and August.
Children and their caregivers are invited to come learn about gardening as the community partners share books and stories while exploring the process of growing.
As a part of the Library’s summer reading program, “2024: Read, Renew, Repeat,” which focuses on conservation, the Sawyer Free Library encourages participants of all ages to discover the joy and power of reading while developing a sense of environmental consciousness.
The weekly event takes place at the Sawyer Free Library’s raised garden bed on the Middle Street side of the Saunders House (88 Middle Street.)
As a part of its exciting summer reading program, Read, Renew, Repeat, the Sawyer Free Library is excited to be presenting Magician Mike Bent Eco-Magic Show on Friday, July 19 at 10:00 am.
Children and their families will be wowed by the environmental-themed magic show with magic, comedy and fun! The conservation focused summer reading theme of Read, Renew, Repeat strives to bring attention to our natural world, and caring for the environment as well as the living creatures that call it home.
This event will be held in the City Hall auditorium, 9 Dale Avenue in Gloucester. No registration is needed.
This summer’s reading program, titled “2024: Read, Renew, Repeat,” offers a diverse and enriching experience for the entire community. By focusing on conservation, the Sawyer Free Library encourages participants of all ages to discover the joy and power of reading while developing a sense of environmental consciousness. Through engaging activities, interactive workshops, reading challenges, and more, participants will learn about the critical role of conservation in maintaining the health and vitality of our planet. For more information on Summer at Sawyer Free Library visit, sawyerfreelibrary.org.
This summer program has been made possible with support from the Constance T. Rhinelander Fund.
The Sawyer Free Library is delighted to announce the appointment of Tricia Balsan as Children’s Librarian.
Jenny Benedict, the Library Director, expressed her enthusiasm for Balsan’s appointment, “We are thrilled to welcome Tricia to the Sawyer Free Library. Her expertise in children’s literature and commitment to fostering a love of reading and learning make her an invaluable addition to our talented and dedicated Children’s Services staff. We look forward to the positive impact she will have on our community. Tricia’s approachable and friendly nature surely will be embraced by Gloucester’s young people and their families.”
“I am so excited to join the team here at Sawyer Free Library. Everyone has welcomed me so warmly and has such enthusiasm for what they do. I can already tell how vital a part of the community the library is,” shared TriciaBalsan. “Gloucester clearly loves their library, and it’s such a wonderful feeling! I look forward to getting to know the children and families of Gloucester–both at our temporary location at 21 Main Street, and in our brand-new library building when it opens next year!”
Tricia Balsan, who recently graduated Magna Cum Laude with dual degrees—a Master of Arts in Children’s Literature and a Master of Science in Library Science—from Simmons University, brings a wealth of experience and passion to her new role. She has an impressive background in public libraries, having served in various roles from page to circulation clerk. Balsan’s extensive experience has equipped her with the latest best practices in the library and children’s literature fields, with a special focus on diversity, equity, inclusion, and representation within children’s and young adult literature.
In her most recent position at the Eric Carle Museum in Amherst, MA, Balsan provided library services to children, including leading engaging and interactive story times. Additionally, her experience includes positions at the Oceanside Library, Malverne Public Library, Baldwin Public Library, and Hampshire College Library. Triciai holds a Bachelor of Arts in Cultural Studies from SUNY Empire State College, where she graduated Magna Cum Laude.
The Sawyer Free Library invites the community to come into 21 Main Street and congratulate Tricia on her new role while checking out its exciting summer calendar of fun and free events and programs designed to inspire, educate, and entertain people of all ages.
Sawyer Free Library’s summer operating hours at 21 Main Street are Monday and Wednesday from 8 am to 6 pm, Tuesday from 8 am to 6:15 pm, Thursday from 10 am to 7 pm, Friday from 10 am to 5 pm, and Saturday from 10 am to 1 pm, and 24/7 online at sawyerfreelibrary.org.
Sawyer Free Library is kicking off summer reading on Tuesday, July 9 from 10:00 to 10:45am with fascinating animals presented by Wildlife Encounters Ecology Center! This family friendly event will be held in the City Hall auditorium, 9 Dale Avenue. No registration required.
During this interactive live animal presentation attendees will meet exotic animals and learn about their habitats, adaptations, and environmental roles from eco-educators. The ecology focused summer reading theme of “Read, Renew, Repeat” strives to bring attention to our natural world, and caring for the environment as well as the living creatures that call it home.
This event has been made possible through the generous support of the Constance T. Rhinelander Fund. Everyone is invited. No registration needed. For more information or questions, visit SawyerFreeLibrary.org or 978-515-6349.
Summer fun officially kicks off on Tuesday, July 9, at 10:00 am with an interactive live animal presentation by Wildlife Encounters Ecology Center
School is out, and summer has officially begun! To celebrate, Sawyer Free Library is launching an exciting calendar of free events and programs to inspire, educate, and entertain people of all ages.
This summer’s reading program, titled “2024: Read, Renew, Repeat,” offers a diverse and enriching experience for the entire community. By focusing on conservation, the Sawyer Free Library encourages participants of all ages to discover the joy and power of reading while developing a sense of environmental consciousness. Through engaging activities, interactive workshops, reading challenges, and more, participants will learn about the critical role of conservation in maintaining the health and vitality of our planet.
“At Sawyer Free Library, we believe that reading can inspire change and foster a deeper understanding of the world around us,” said Sawyer Free Library DirectorJenny Benedict. “Our summer reading program promotes learning and educates participants of all ages about the importance of conservation and the actions we can take to protect our natural environment – right in our own neighborhoods and backyards.”
The Library’s innovative incentives and activities encourage kids and teens to stay active and read for fun, helping them avoid the summer slide, where critical skills learned during the school year are lost over the summer. To get started, young people and their families can pick up their Summer Reading Information and Activity Logs at the Library, which includes program information, the event calendar, and a reading log. Children can track their summer reading with their “Read, Renew, Repeat” time-tracking reading logs. Register from now until August 1, and read (or be read to) for at least 500 minutes throughout the summer to earn prizes, including tickets to the Topsfield Fair. Registration is available in person or online.
Summer fun at Sawyer Free Library for children and families officially kicks off on Tuesday, July 9, at 10:00 am with an interactive live animal presentation by Wildlife Encounters Ecology Center taking place at Captain Lester S. Wass American Legion Post 3 located at 8 Washington Street. During this event, attendees will meet some of the world’s most amazing animals and learn about their habitats, adaptations, environmental roles, and how we can all help the animals with whom we share this planet.
Younger library-goers will move and groove during “Love Our Planet Earth” musical story time with Ruthanne Paulson on Friday, July 26, and August 23. Throughout the summer on Thursday mornings, they can play with soil while sharing stories and gardening with Backyard Growers in the Library’s raised gardens.
Children and their families will be wowed by the environmental-themed magic show EcoMagic with Mike Bent’s Abrakidabra on July 19. They can then learn about the snakes of New England with the Cape Ann Vernal Pond Team on Saturday, August 10, and explore soil and decomposers using a worm bin with the MA Horticulture Society Plantmobile on August 24 as part of their award-winning traveling science program.
Elementary and early middle school aged students are invited to unleash their creativity with local paper artist and teacher Katherine Morrison in a bookmaking workshop on July 12. All materials will be provided for his hands on and creative program.
The Library will also host fun local field trips for children and their caregivers, including visits to Maritime Gloucester on July 29 and Hammond Castle on Tuesday, August 13. And everyone is invited to a midsummer celebratory outdoor concert featuring the energetic and interactive band “Ants on a Log” in collaboration with Manchester-by-the-Sea and Rockport Public Libraries on Monday, August 5, at Maconomo Park in Manchester.
It is a busy summer for tweens and teens at the Sawyer Free Library, too. Students entering grades 6-12 can track their “Summer Reading and eco-friendly actions” on the Library’s Summer Reading Bingo Board, which is available on the Library’s website. They can also earn raffle tickets for every book they read to qualify for cool prizes, including an Instax Mini 9 Instant Camera.
Middle and high schoolers are encouraged to check out the Library’s full summer schedule of weekly programs, including “Unlocking Your Musical Journey: A Songwriting Workshop” with award-winning singer-songwriter Briana Cash on July 11, and Reverse Glass Painting with Pop-Up Art School on July 16. There will be two Dungeons and Dragons meet-ups on July 23 and August 7, a Teen Bowling Night on July 9, an Ice Cream Float Party on July 25, Henna Temporary Tattoos for Teens and Tweens on Thursday, August 1, and a Teen Board Game Night on August 7.
SFL also knows that summer reading is for everybody, whether you read at the beach or on your commute to work, so adults can join the fun by rating the books they read this summer to win prizes. Fill out the Summer Reading Book Rating form, which is available online or at the Library. For each book rated, you earn entry into a raffle for a $25, $50, or $75 Cape Ann Gift Certificate.
In addition to the myriad of resources and programs the Library offers adults—weekly device advice assistance, job search help, historical resource assistance, and more—there will also be summer-themed special programs and reading lists available, from local author talks and community creations programming to art and gardening workshops, and much more. Plus, library cardholders can use their library card to book free or discounted passes to many local cultural attractions.
Thanks to the generous support of the Massachusetts Library System, the Boston Bruins, the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners, and the Gloucester Cultural Council, a local agency supported by the Mass Cultural Council, program participation is free. Registration is now open for all children, teens, and adult programs.
Sawyer Free Library’s summer operating hours at 21 Main Street are Monday and Wednesday from 8 am to 6 pm, Tuesday from 8 am to 6:15 pm, Thursday from 10 am to 7 pm, Friday from 10 am to 5 pm, and Saturday from 10 am to 1 pm, and 24/7 online at sawyerfreelibrary.org.
For more information about “Summer at the Sawyer Free Library” and to register for programs, visit sawyerfreelibrary.org or call 978-325-5500.
Enjoy a relaxing 2 hour sunset cruise aboard the Schooner Ardelle, with Captain Harold Burnham at the helm and the beverage of your choice in your hand, AND your children safe and having fun with the Maritime Gloucester education staff, what more could you ask for? Childless couples welcome, please email cmondello@maritimegloucester.org for more information.
Cape Ann Community 