Stories and Service at the Border at the Sawyer Free Library
Local educator and poet Heidi Wakeman traveled to the Arizona-Mexico border in April 2024, where she collaborated with activists from New England, Arizona, and Mexico to learn about and assist people involved in the immigration story. The Sawyer Free Libraryis pleased to welcome Heidi on Thursday, August 1, at 5:30 pm as she shares her experiences and insights through stories and slides about this complex situation, which many consider one of the most important issues of the 2024 presidential election. Heidi’s talk will be conducted in English. Registration is not required. The event will take place at 21 Main Street. For more information, visit sawyerfreelibrary.org.
On Saturday, July 27 from 10 am to 12 pm join Gloucester resident Diane Fraser at the Sawyer Free Library for personalized 15-minute flash tarot readings. Tarot reading is an art form that combines history, art, psychology, and mindfulness, serving as a tool for insight and transformation.
Registration required at sawyerfreelibrary.org. Readings are from 10 AM-12 PM. Specific times will be determined prior to event. Questions? Email Lisa at lryan@sawyerfreelibrary.org. For ages 18+.
Diane Fraser has been working with tarot and cartomancy for over 25 years. She received training in shamanic healing from the Four Winds Society and studied the hermetic arts with Brian Osborne and Mark Stavish. She was a Tarot reader at L’Espalier’s Tarot Tea, Joysource women’s retreats, and MATSU Boston.
On Monday, July 29 from 1:00 to 3:00 pm, 1623 Studios will be hosting a taped facilitated dialogue among five community leaders as they discuss race equity in Gloucester inspired by the community-wide book club selection, How the Word Is Passed: A Reckoning with the History of Slavery Across America by Clint Smith.
For those interested, there is space for a limited audience to observe the taping. Please note that the audience will only be observing the discussion; they will not have the chance to participate or to appear as a part of the taped program. Registration is required. Space is limited.
The panel, facilitated by Gloucester Racial Justice Co-Chair Michea McCaffrey and Dawn Pratson, of the Gloucester Reads team will include:
Jenny Benedict, Director, Sawyer Free Library Bob Gillis, Tri-Chair, Gloucester 400+ Karen Ristuben, President, Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce Ben Lummis, Superintendent of Schools Peggy Hegarty-Stack, Director, Action, Inc.
Gloucester Reads2024 is a citywide, intergenerational summer reading initiative. Running through August, this community-wide book club aims to spark conversations, inspire new ideas, and encourage introspection about race equity in our community. Co sponsored by the Sawyer Free Library, Gloucester’s Racial Justice Team and Gloucester Health Department, in collaboration with sixteen additional community partners, the summer reading initiative will explore books reflecting Black experiences in America. For more details visit sawyerfreelibrary.org.
Teens and tweens are invited to theSawyer Free Library on Thursday, July 25 from 2:30 to 4:00 pm for a free ice cream float! Start with a vanilla ice cream base and choose from a variety of sodas to make your float.
No registration is required — pop by and bring a friend. Students 6th to 12th grade are welcome.
Together in partnership, the Sawyer Free Library, Gloucester’s Racial Justice Team and Gloucester Health Department, is presenting Gloucester Reads2024, a citywide, intergenerational summer reading initiative. Running through August, this community-wide book club aims to spark conversations, inspire new ideas, and encourage introspection about race equity in our community.
In collaboration with sixteen additional community co-sponsors, Gloucester Reads 2024 will explore books reflecting Black experiences in America. This initiative includes selections for adults, young adults and children. Adults can participate in three ways: reading the book, joining a structured discussion group, and attending the virtual author’s talk.
The summer book club’s main selection is How the Word Is Passed: A Reckoning with the History of Slavery Across America by Clint Smith. This acclaimed book, which has won the National Book Critics Circle Award for Nonfiction, the Hillman Prize for Book Journalism, the Stowe Prize, and the Dayton Literary Peace Prize, focuses on the history and present impact of slavery in the United States. Through eight sites, including New Orleans, Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello, New York City, and Angola Prison, Smith uses archival research and interviews to offer an intergenerational story of how slavery has shaped our nation’s history and memory.
For more information or to sign up for a book discussion, visit, SawyerFreeLibrary.org or call 978-325-5500.
To ensure everyone can participate, Gloucester Reads is offering to cover childcare expenses for those attending discussion groups, the author’s talk, or both. Participants can request funds on the discussion group registration form.
To celebrate Discover Gloucester’s Culture Splash, the Sawyer Free Library will be giving away goodies related to all things arts and culture, including a poetry 101 kit, paint your own birdhouse, DIY diamond art coasters, and more! Giveaways are for 18+ participants and are first come, first serve. Limited quantities.
Every Thursday starting July 11 through the end of August | 4-7pm | Sawyer Free Library at 21 Main Street in Downtown Gloucester.
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 Fort and beyond, circa late 1800s. Photo by E.G. Rollins. Collection of the Cape Ann Museum and Archives.
The Sawyer Free Libraryis pleased to welcome local author Anne Power Parsons on Thursday, July 18, from 5:30 to 6:30 pm as she presents “The Irish in the Fort,” her contribution to the 400 Stories Project. She will share her family story and research about the vibrant community of Irish fishermen and their families living in the Fort from the mid-1800s to the early 1900s. The event will occur at the Sawyer Free Library at 21 Main Street in downtown Gloucester. All are welcome. Registration is requested at sawyerfreelibrary.org.
Anne Power Parson and her father, Donald Power, circ: 1944
Anne Power Parsons grew up in Gloucester and became intrigued with her Irish family history, thanks partly to a collection of letters written by her father, Donald Maurice Power. In addition to describing their family history, the letters revealed glimpses of the vibrant community of Irish fishermen and their families living in the Fort during this period.
The event is open and free to attend at the Sawyer Free Library located at 21 Main Street in Gloucester. For more information, visit sawyerfreelibrary.org or call, 978-325-5500.
To read her contribution to the 400 Stories Project on this subject, click here.
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.
Cape Ann Community 