Before we turn the page on 2020 (not a second too soon), please consider giving to the Sawyer Free Library Annual Fund!
Your support empowers individuals, strengthens families and makes our community a better place to live.
Sawyer Free Library is more than a place to find books; it is a place to connect, learn and grow, both within the walls of our building and beyond to your home, office or on the go. The Library provides resources for job seekers, support for language learners, early literacy programs for young children and their families, assistance with new technology, and help to navigate the increasingly complex world of online information.
If you haven’t yet please donate today and help ensure that the Library continues to evolve to meet the needs of our community in the new year and beyond.
You can help the library grow by making a tax-deductible donation online today to the
What a year it has been, but through it all, YOU have been there for US! THANK YOU!
The SAWYER FREE LIBRARY is fortunate to have supporters that understand the Library’s value and the service it provides to the community!
Please view this short video from the President of the Library’s Board of Trustees who shares the important role YOU play in helping to make our work at the Sawyer Free Library possible.
Your support of our Annual Appeal allows us to continue to provide the unprecedented services the community expects, no matter the circumstances. With your help, we promise to be here for all our patrons, to continue to adapt and evolve in service to our incredible and resilient community!
Children’s Librarian Christy Rosso showing the new computer to Gerri Kippen Heather’s Aunt
The Sawyer Free Library (SFL) has unveiled a new state of the art early literacy computer in the Children’s Room purchased by The Friends of the SFL in memory of beloved longtime children’s librarian assistant, Heather Falk, who passed away earlier this year.
For almost three decades, Ms. Falk brought her irresistible enthusiasm and joy to the Gloucester community’s children and families through her work at the Sawyer Free Library. Heather joined the staff of the Library shortly after graduating from Gloucester High School.
The Friends of the Sawyer Free Library, a community of dedicated library users whose fundraising activities support library programming and services, in gratitude and honor of Ms. Falk purchased an AWE early literacy computer for the Children’s Room in her name.
“Heather was a warm, kind, and encouraging person who deeply enjoyed making the lives of people that much larger through her work at the Library, stated Rebecca Aliberte, the President of the Friends of the SFL. “This advanced learning station will help to continue Heather’s legacy by promoting early childhood literacy and prepare Gloucester’s youngest students for success in school and beyond.”
“We are very proud, grateful, and excited to have received the new Awe Learning computer from the Friends of the Library. It is designed for children ages 2-8 and has more than 70 educational software games and activities they will really enjoy. Children can play bilingual games, too,” said Christy Rosso, SFL’s Children’s Librarian. “Heather would be very honored by this gift of the Friends in her name. She was kind and friendly to everyone, touching all of us with her gentle spirit.”
Heather Falk at work in the Sawyer Free Library’s Children’s Room
With the Sawyer Free Library now open for select onsite services, children and their families are welcome to use and enjoy the new Awe Station when visiting the Children’s Room. The Library is open to the public six days a week, Monday through Saturday, from 10 am to 5 pm, except for Thursday when it is open from 12 to 7 pm. Visitors are requested to keep their visits to 30 minutes or less. All visitors must wear masks, practice physical distancing, and all public spaces have limited capacities.
For detailed information about the Sawyer Free Library’s services, programs, procedures and policies, and COVID-19 updates, please visit sawyerfreelibrary.org.
The Sawyer Free Library‘s 2020 Annual Appeal campaign, “Here for You Every Day,” is now underway. Letters with appeal information are in the mail to over 1,500 Gloucester households. The goal is to raise $35,000 during this year-end campaign, which provides the Library much-needed annual support.
“This year has truly underscored the importance of our Sawyer Free Library. Over the last six months, we have seen a 30% increase in applications for new library cards with people learning and socializing with each other safely through the Library,” said Jenny Benedict, the Library Director.
The Sawyer Free Library relies on yearly donations from the community to provide a wide range of new collections and resources, state of the art technology, and innovative programming for all ages. This year especially, public support is critical to the Library. Throughout the pandemic, the Sawyer Free Library continued to play an essential role for the community by quickly pivoting to deliver uninterrupted library services through curbside pick-up and home delivery. The Library also deployed virtual alternatives to programming, boosted online collections for children and adults and provided increased access to them with hotspot and laptop lending devices. to. Just recently the Library reopened its doors to the public for select in-person services six days a week, including a study hall for local students and express public computer stations.
”We hope that the community will consider our annual appeal and join us in supporting the Sawyer Free Library, ensuring that the Library will continue to be here for us today and for generations to come,” added Mern Sibley, President of the Library’s Board of Trustees.
Donations to the Library may be made by check to the Sawyer Free Library, Annual Appeal, P.O. Box 415, Gloucester, MA 01930, or online at www.sawyerfreelibrary.org.
Get your Cooking On! Join the Sawyer Free Library’s Cook-a-Book Book Club tomorrow, Friday, Nov. 6th at 1pm at the top of Summit Ave. (weather permitting) for a fun afternoon of shared recipes and foodie talk! Register on our Calendar at sawyerfreelibrary.org. If it’s inclement weather, we will meet via Zoom, so it’s essential that you Register! This month we will be making something from our Thanksgiving table. Join us! (Social distancing and masks required!) #sawyerfreelibrary#sfl#cookabook#foodheals
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
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.
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.
The summer may be winding down BUT it is not too late for local teens and tweens to participate in the Sawyer Free Library’sTEEN 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!
This month we will be making something from our Thanksgiving table. Join us! (Social distancing and masks required!) 
