Refreshments

Sawyer Free Library Annual Meeting Wednesday

~ Sawyer Free Library

REMINDER – Please join us for our Annual Meeting in the new Community Room of the reimagined Sawyer Free Library. The evening will feature remarks from Board President Mern Sibley, Mayor Greg Verga, and MBLC Commissioner Joyce Linehan, who will speak on standing up for libraries and intellectual freedom. Library Director Jenny Benedict will share highlights from this milestone year and a look ahead to the Library’s next chapter. Refreshments will be served.

The meeting is open to anyone who wishes to attend, but only corporators can vote. No registration required.

When: Wednesday, November 12, 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.
Where: Sawyer Free Library, 2 Dale Avenue, Gloucester
Questions: 978-325-5500 | sawyerfreelibrary.org

Annual Meeting of the Gloucester Lyceum & Sawyer Free Library Corporation

~ Sawyer Free Library

Save the Date: Wednesday evening, November 12th

The Gloucester Lyceum and Sawyer Free Library Corporation will host its first Annual Meeting in the state-of-the-art Community Room of the newly expanded and modernized Library on Wednesday, November 12. The evening will feature remarks from Board President Mern Sibley, Mayor Greg Verga, and MBLC Commissioner Joyce Linehan, who will speak on standing up for libraries and intellectual freedom. Library Director Jenny Benedict will share highlights from this milestone year and a look ahead to the Library’s next chapter.

Open to the public (only corporators may vote), the meeting offers an opportunity to celebrate the Library’s achievements, learn about its progress and finances, and engage with trustees and staff. Refreshments will be served. No registration required.

When: Wednesday, November 12, 6:30 p.m. with corporator sign-in beginning at 6:00 p.m.
Where: Sawyer Free Library, 2 Dale Avenue, Gloucester
Questions: 978-325-5500 | sawyerfreelibrary.org

Join the Sawyer Free Library and the Gloucester Racial Justice Team for a Special Black History Month Event

~ Sawyer Free Library

View and Review: Watching and Discussing a Virtual Author Talk with Lee Hawkins

When: Thursday, February 20, 5:00 to 6:30 PM Where: Sawyer Free Library, 21 Main Street

Celebrate Black History Month by viewing a recently recorded conversation with journalist and author Lee Hawkins, whose memoir—I Am Nobody’s Slave: How Uncovering My Family’s History Set Me Free—examines his family’s post-enslavement legacy of trauma and resilience. Through genealogical research, Hawkins reveals how personal stories can foster understanding and healing for all Americans.

After the 60-minute screening, we’ll hold a 30-minute discussion to share key takeaways and reflections. Light refreshments will be provided. This program will be facilitated by Rosary Lalik, a member of the Gloucester Racial Justice Team, and Meg O’Neill, Community Librarian at the Sawyer Free Library.

Don’t miss this powerful opportunity to learn, reflect, and connect with others in our community. We hope to see you there! Registration is required at SawyerFreeLibrary.org. For questions, email: moneill@sawyerfreelibrary.org or 978-325-5500.

Sawyer Free Library Annual Meeting: Wed, 11/13

~ Sawyer Free Library

Please join us for the Gloucester Lyceum and Sawyer Free Library Corporation’s Annual Meeting on Wednesday, November 13 from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. It will be held at Gloucester Stage located at 267 East Main Street, Gloucester. The annual meeting is open to the public, but only corporators can vote. Refreshments will be served.

The evening will allow the community to come together and celebrate the Library’s achievements, learn about its finances and engage with the Library’s board members and staff. There will also be an update on the 2025 Sawyer Free Library building project.

New members of the Library Corporation and Board of Trustees will be elected, and the Mary M. Weissblum Volunteer Award will be presented to Simon Paddock. Each year, the award is given by the Trustees to recognize and show appreciation for the Library’s outstanding volunteers who help to maintain and promote its services and programs. 

ALL ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND AND LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS YEAR’S ACCOMPLISHMENTS, PLANS AND PRIORITIES FOR THE LIBRARY

Refreshments will be served. No registration is required. Questions? Contact: 978-325-5500.

GLOUCESTER’S MLK DAY CELEBRATION IN THE MEETINGHOUSE!!!

~ chasnaz

On Monday January 15th at 2:00pm, the Gloucester Meetinghouse Foundation will present its annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Day celebration in the sanctuary of the Gloucester Unitarian Universalist Church, located on the green at the corner of Middle and Church Streets (GPS 50 Middle Street). There is an elevator available at the 10 Church Street side entrance for persons with disabilities. The event is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be available. Parking is allowed on the green.

Each year we strive to create a singular, thought-provoking and inspiring event to honor Dr. King’s legacy and vision.  Please join us for an exciting afternoon of presentations, music and audience participation.

Program

Mayor Greg Verga, opening address

Renée Graham, Boston Globe associate editor and columnist, keynote speaker with audience Q&A

Michea McCaffery, Gloucester Racial Justice Team Chair, Gloucester survey presentation, conversation with Renée Graham, and audience Q&A

Gordon Michaels vocalist & ensemble, diverse music based on the Black experience

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., in his own voice via audio recording

Paul Revere bell-ringing in commemoration as we depart the Meetinghouse

For those who cannot attend in person the event will be simulcast on the Gloucester Meetinghouse YouTube channel and will be available there afterwards. More information is available at: http://www.gloucestermeetinghouse.org

Reminder: Sawyer Free Library Annual Meeting this Wednesday evening, Nov 15! All invited!

~ Sawyer Free Library

The Gloucester Lyceum and Sawyer Free Library Corporation will be hosting its Annual Meeting on THIS Wednesday evening, November 15 at the Gloucester Stage located at 267 East Main Street in Gloucester from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. with corporators sign-in beginning at 6:00 p.m.  The meeting will kick off at 6:30 p.m. with a welcome by the President of the Library’s Board of Trustees, Mern Sibley, followed by remarks by Mayor Greg Verga. A construction update of the 2025 Sawyer Free Library renovation, modernization, and expansion project will be provided by Jon Rich, president of the construction management firm W.T. Rich. In addition, new members of the Library Corporation and Board of Trustees will be elected, and the Mary M. Weissblum Volunteer Award will be presented to Kecia German. The evening will also pay tribute to Beth Pocock, who recently retired after a decade of exceptional service as the Assistant Library Director.

Refreshments will be served. The meeting is open to the public, but only corporators can vote. For more information, please visit sawyerfreelibrary.org.

Springtime Literary Party at SFL@21 Main Street – Thursday evening, April 20th

~ Sawyer Free Library

Come and join us at the Sawyer Free Library at 21 Main Street in downtown Gloucester for some springtime literary fun on Thursday, April 20th.

From 5:15 – 6:15 p.m. local harpist Moira Kelly will be sharing festive musical entertainment while refreshments are provided.

Then at 6:15 p.m. local Irish author Robert T. McMaster will be introducing his latest novel, Rose of Glenkerry: A County Wicklow Mystery via Zoom, the virtual presentation will be broadcasted at SFL@ 21 Main Street location for all to enjoy.

Though registration is not required, the first three to fill out a registration form HERE will receive a free copy of the book! 💐

Questions? Visit SawyerFreeLibrary.org.


Literary St. Patrick’s Day Party at the Sawyer Free Library

~ Sawyer Free Library

Festive Celebration on Tuesday, March 14 at SFL @ 21 Main Street

In celebration of St. Patrick’s Day, the Sawyer Free Library @ 21 Main Street is hosting a “Literary St. Patrick’s Day Party” on Tuesday, March 14, from 5 to 7 p.m. The evening is free and open to all to come and enjoy! 

Local harpist Moira Kelly will open the evening at 5:15 p.m. with a lively and interactive performance of traditional Celtic music. 

Then at 6:15 p.m., Massachusetts author Robert T. McMaster will introduce his latest novel, Rose of Glenkerry: A County Wicklow Mystery.  He will present via Zoom, which will be broadcast at the Library for viewing. Both a mystery and a touching love story, the book is set amid the incomparable scenery of Ireland’s County Wicklow. Bob will read excerpts from his book, accompanied by images and music of the Emerald Isle. 

McMaster is a native of Southbridge, Massachusetts, with family ties to Ireland. He has also authored The Trolley Days Series, set in Massachusetts in the World War I era, and a biography of pioneering dinosaur scientist Edward Hitchcock, All the Light here Comes from Above: The Life and Legacy of Edward Hitchcock.

Festive refreshments will also be provided. Though registration is not required, the first three to fill out a registration form will receive a free copy of the book!

For more information visit, sawyerfreelibrary.org or 978-325-5562. 

Sawyer Free Library Annual Meeting next Wednesday, 11/16 at 2 Dale Avenue! All are welcome!

~ Sawyer Free Library

The Gloucester Lyceum and Sawyer Free Library Corporation will be hosting its Annual Meeting on Wednesday evening, November 16, at the Sawyer Free Library located at 2 Dale Avenue in Gloucester. All are welcome.

Doors open at 6:00 pm and the meeting will begin at 6:30 pm with welcoming remarks by the President of the Board of Trustees, Mern Sibley. The public is invited to attend this informative evening, during which there will be a presentation by Matt Oudens of Oudens Ellos Architecture detailing updates of the 2025 Sawyer Free Library Capital Project. 

The annual meeting will offer the community the chance to gather at 2 Dale Avenue one more time before the Sawyer Free Library’s historic renovation and expansion project begins early next year. Attendees will be welcome to take pictures of the spaces that have special meaning to them or just sit and take it all in while learning more about the Library’s busy year.

The Sawyer Free Library recently moved its operations to 21 Main Street in downtown Gloucester, in preparation for the construction of the 2025 Sawyer Free Library which is expected to be completed in early 2025. 

The meeting will be from 6:30–7:30 pm on the main floor of the Sawyer Free Library. Refreshments from Willow Rest will be served. For more information, please visit sawyerfreelibrary.org.