An important conversation not be missed
Presented by the Sawyer Free Library, Bridge Cape Ann and The Boston Globe in partnership with Backyard Growers, Gloucester Education Fund, Manship Artist Residency + Studios, Maritime Gloucester, Ocean Alliance and TownGreen 2025
https://www.facebook.com/events/303825287628799/
For more information visit www. sawyerfreelibrary.org or 978-325-5500
On Tuesday, September 22, 2020 from 7-8pm David Abel, Pulitzer-prize winning Boston Globe reporter, will interview Bill McKibben, environmental advocate, author and founder of 350.org, about lessons learned and future solutions concerning the climate crisis in our local community and beyond.
The event is free and open to all. It is taking place remotely and will be available to the public online with Facebook Live. https://www.facebook.com/events/303825287628799/
A Conveesation with Bill McKibben is being presented by the Sawyer Free Library as a part The Civic Hub in partnership with Backyard Growers, Gloucester Education Fund, Manship Artist Residency + Studios, Maritime Gloucester, Ocean Alliance, and TownGreen 2025.
For more information about the event visit: sawyerfreelibrary.org or call 978-325-5500.
Sawyer Free Library is excited to present The Great Salmon Tour on Saturday, August 22 from 3–5 pm on Zoom
Peter Johnsen, a biologist from Norway, will be speaking about his role in the protection and conservation of Salmon. Learn about this species and its role in the life of people and the world.
Register here for the event: https://www.eventkeeper.com/code/ekform.cfm?curOrg=SFL&curID=452644
The summer may be winding down BUT it is not too late for local teens and tweens to participate in the Sawyer Free Library’s TEEN SUMMER READING PROGRAM!
Just read ANY type of book, magazine, graphic novel, or audiobook – they all count! Then just complete and submit a form on the Library website https://sawyerfreelibrary.org/teen-services/ to be entered into a weekly prize drawing. 5 local gift cards are drawn weekly on Fridays. At the August 30, 2020 conclusion, all entries will be eligible to win the grand prize a Hydroflask! There will be 3 Grand Prize winners!
The more you read and participate, the better your odd not to mention the more fun you will have!
Don’t miss out on the fun this summer at the Sawyer Free Library!
Remember to register the kids for Jungle Jim Wild About Balloons Magic Show! 🎈✨ Starting July 6th, he will be entertaining us all week! The Library will send you the show link & you can watch it when you choose! He is super entertaining 🤹♂️ for any kind of weather!
The fun continues all month with these special events:
Thanks to the generous support of The Friends of the Sawyer Free Library, program participation is free and open to all!
For more information about the Sawyer Free Library’s “Imagine Your Story” Summer Programs, to register, or request books and materials for curbside pickup visit: sawyerfreelibrary.org or call 978-325-5501.
The Gloucester Lyceum and Sawyer Free Library‘s Board of Trustees is pleased to announce the appointment of a new Library Director. Following an extensive national search, Janet (Jenny) Benedict, MLIS, MA, BJ, will succeed Deborah Kelsey, who is retiring. Ms. Benedict will officially join the Library on Monday, July 6.
Ms. Benedict comes to Sawyer Free Library with diverse work experiences over nearly 25 years, including most recently nine years as the Library Director and CEO of the West Vancouver Memorial Library in British Columbia, where she left a legacy of innovation and cultural excellence.
“I am honored to be joining the Gloucester Lyceum and Sawyer Free Library at this time in its history. This is an exceptional opportunity to lead an organization that is so vitally important to the community it serves. It’s a privilege to build on an established foundation of excellence and plan for the library’s vibrant future, “ said Ms. Benedict on her appointment. “I am eager to engage with the library Trustees, staff, patrons and volunteers, as well as city leaders and residents, to learn about the community and to make Gloucester my new home.”
“The Board of Trustees is delighted to welcome Ms. Benedict to the Sawyer Free Library as the new Director,” said Mern Sibley, the Library Board’s President. “Her experience, leadership, enthusiasm, and impressive record of success will bring new energy and vision to this important role. “We are confident that the staff and community will feed off her passion and embrace Jenny as she guides the Library into the future and helps us realize our plan of a 21st-century library for Gloucester.
“As mayor of Gloucester, I am looking forward to working with the new Library Director, Jenny Benedict. I met with Jenny briefly, and I am pleased with the Library Board’s selection of her for this position. I am happy to know that she has an understanding of our community and its heritage and culture, and I think that she will be a great addition to what is already a strong library,” stated Mayor Sefatia Romeo Theken.
As Director at West Vancouver Memorial Library, Ms. Benedict transformed public services and oversaw multiple capital projects to extend the historic facility’s lifespan and address existing and new space needs. Achievements included the introduction of innovative programming, the expansion of local community partnerships, and the launch of The Lab, an innovative digital learning space designed for active participation and social interaction. During her tenure, she also successfully increased financials awards to the Library with over $6 million in capital funding to sustain the historic facility. In 2019, she was recognized for her outstanding leadership in library advocacy, innovation, and contribution to the library community and awarded the Association of British Columbia Public Library Directors Award of Excellence.
Benedict’s previous positions included Interim Director and Deputy Chief Librarian of the Hartford Public Library in Connecticut. She led and directed the development, implementation, promotion, and assessment of adult and youth public services, collections, and programs for Hartford’s Main Library, nine branches, and a bookmobile, attracting over 800,000 in-person visits a year. Additionally, Benedict served as a Librarian at the Bel Air Branch of the Harford County Public Library system in Maryland.
Benedict holds a Masters of Library and Information Science and a Graduate Academic Certificate in Advanced Management in Libraries and Information Agencies from University of North Texas. She earned a Master in English at the University of Houston and a B.J. in Journalism at the University of Texas at Austin.
An opportunity for members the community to meet Ms. Benedict will be announced. Watch the library website, sawyerfreelibrary.org, for details on the virtual event.
“Welcome to Summer” Reading Bags for kids are available at Sawyer Free Library Curbside Pick-up! The library can add one to your curbside order or just call us and we can send one out for you! While supplies last!☀️ Happy Summer! 🌈.
“Welcome to Summer” Reading Bags are filled with Imagine Your Story program information including the event calendar, activities, and fun summer treats.
For more information about the Sawyer Free Library’s “Imagine Your Story” Summer Programs, to register, or request books and materials for curbside pickup visit: sawyerfreelibrary.org or call 978-325-5501. 🏖
The Sawyer Free Library (SFL) is excited to kick off its 2020 Summer Reading Program. This year’s theme is “Imagine Your Story,” and while it may feel slightly different from previous years due to COVID-19, the library is planning to make this year’s Summer Reading one to remember with an emphasis on fantasy, fairy tales, and folk tales.
This annual program aims to combat summer learning loss in children by encouraging patrons of all ages to read during the summer months and participate in library activities. Due to SFL’s current closure, this year’s children and teen program will take place solely online until it is safe to gather in person. The summer fun will officially begin on Thursday, June 25, at 10:00 am on Zoom with Wildlife Encounters, where everyone can meet virtually amazing live animals in this exciting show presented by the Wildlife Encounters Ecology Center and Farm School. Register online to receive the Zoom link.
“We are so excited to start our Summer Reading Program,” Christy Rosso said SFL’s children’s librarian. “Although our format is different this year, our goal remains the same – – to connect our community with educational, fun, and literacy-based activities. Reading, doing projects, telling stories, and learning are great ways for families to spend time together this summer.”
The Children’s Library Staff have begun distributing to its younger patrons and their families “Welcome to Summer Reading Packets” filled with program information including the event calendar, activities, and fun summer treats. The packets will be available through SFL’s curbside pick up or home delivery services. People can register for the program online.
SFL will also be hosting many events and activities throughout the summer. This year, these activities will all take place online via videos on the Sawyer Free Library Children’s Services Facebook page and YouTube Channel or live via Zoom Meeting links. Activities include “Summer Storytime with Christy” every Wednesday morning, author presentations, Family STEAM activities, Lego Challenge contests with fun prizes, Summer Crafts Take and Make, and more. The library will have materials available for many of the activities and be available before each event using the curbside pickup service.
Along with the Wildlife Encounters Virtual Program on Thursday, June 25 families of the library’s younger patrons should mark their calendar for the following special events:
SFL also has big plans for its Teen Patrons this summer. Students entering grades 6-12 are encouraged to track their summer reading on a custom form available on the library’s website to qualify for weekly prize drawings. From mid-July to mid-August, the library will also be offering weekly virtual gaming programs and creating interactive craft and self-care projects.
Thanks to the generous support of The Friends of the Sawyer Free Library, program participation is free, and registration is now open for the children’s and teen programs.
For more information about the Sawyer Free Library’s “Imagine Your Story” Summer Programs, to register, or request books and materials for curbside pickup visit: sawyerfreelibrary.org or call 978-325-5501.
The Sawyer Free Library is inviting readers of all ages to be a part of something big this summer as it officially launches the first annual Gloucester Reads: Many Readers, One Conversation. This citywide collaborative reading program aims to unite and energize the community around the important issue of climate change through reading, discussion, and action.
From Monday, June 22 through Tuesday, September 15, 2020, Gloucester Reads will explore the topic of Addressing Our Climate Crisis with the Hope of Building a Better Future. The inaugural reading program will feature two award-winning books, Falter by Bill McKibben and The Marrow Thieves by Cherie Dimaline.
Presented by the Sawyer Free Library as a part of The Civic Hub, and in partnership with Backyard Growers, Gloucester Education Fund, Manship Artist Residency + Studios, Maritime Gloucester, Ocean Alliance and TownGreen 2025, Gloucester Reads offers residents the opportunity to read about and discuss this important issue with local experts and learn more about what they can do to help combat climate change. Discussion groups will be held online during the month of July.
Gloucester Reads will culminate on Tuesday, September 15 with a live stream public presentation and Q&A with Bill McKibben, the award-winning author, and founder of 350.org, a global grassroots climate change movement. This event will be open to the public, with details forthcoming.
From June through September, copies of the books will be available at the Sawyer Free Library in print, ebook, and audiobook formats. For a complete list of Gloucester Reads programs, and for more information on climate change, visit SawyerFreeLibrary.org.
Sawyer Free Library’s curbside services are open for business. Visit their Request page at http://ow.ly/V78P50A1X4e to learn all about Curbside Pickup, Delivery, Library Technology, and so much more that’s offered during their phased reopening. They can’t wait to see you!
