Author: Joey Ciaramitaro

October 2, 2024 ~ Sawyer Free Library ~ 

REGISTER TODAY FOR THE FOLLOWING VIRTUAL AUTHOR TALKS hosted by the Sawyer Free Library, for the links, register at sawyerfreelibrary.org. 

Wednesday, October 2, 2:00 to 3:00 pm, A Journey into the Hidden World of Tropical Bats with Scientists from the Smithsonian – Join us as we welcome three Smithsonian-affiliated scientists to explore the fascinating world of tropical bats. Based on the book Bat Island: A Rare Journey into the Hidden World of Tropical Bats, their presentation will showcase decades of research on Panama’s diverse bat species, featuring insights from scientists and stunning photography by National Geographic contributor Christian Ziegler. Learn about bats’ unique adaptations, ecological importance, and the conservation efforts needed to protect these essential creatures.  For the link, register HERE.

Wednesday, October 8, 7:00 to 8:00 pm, Liberating Latin American Genre Fiction with Bestselling Author Silvia Moreno-Garcia – An inspiring conversation with Silvia Moreno-Garcia, the highly acclaimed New York Times bestselling author of Mexican Gothic, The Daughter of Doctor Moreau, Gods of Jade and Shadow, and more. Moreno-Garcia will discuss Latin American genre fiction, her writing process, and her latest book, The Seventh Veil of Salome. For the link, register HERE. 

Tuesday, October 22, 2:00 to 3:00 pm, Author Talk: Maybe You Should Talk to Somebody with Lori Gottlieb – An insightful discussion with Lori Gottlieb, author of Maybe You Should Talk to Someone, who will share her experiences as both a therapist and a patient. Despite her qualifications, Gottlieb emphasizes that her most important credential is her understanding of the human experience, particularly during times of crisis. Don’t miss this opportunity to explore the truths and fictions that can hold us back from living our desired lives. For the link, register HERE.

For the links to these virtual author talks and to learn about other upcoming events, register at sawyerfreelibrary.org. 

Brought to you in partnership with the Library Speakers Consortium.

Buy any 18″ Pizza get an 18″ Cheese for $5

$13.99+ tax Lobster Roll w/Chips

Buy any 16″ Pizza get a 16″ Cheese for $5

*excludes gluten free*

Rockport High School DECA is running Career Day here at RHS on November 19 from 8-10:30 AM. We can use presenters. It is a valuable experience for students and we can use careers of all types! Please fill out the Google form if you are interested

https://forms.gle/sF2ErAg7H2e4WaGS7

saltys.bagel “Walk-Ups Only” on Sunday, October 6th from 8:00 -10:00 am or sell out at 23 East Main Street in Gloucester!!!

Hope to see you all there!

October 2, 2024 ~ gloucestereducationfoundation ~ 

Local artist Tim Mears has created a gorgeous new installation at O’Maley Innovation Middle School, in collaboration with O’Maley students. Read about this project in today’s Gloucester Daily Times, and join us for the ribbon-cutting next Wednesday October 9 at 10am!

Pat Dalpiaz will be manning our shop at 44 Main St- Tomorrow Thursday Oct 3 from noon-5; Friday 11-5; and Sunday 11-3. Closed Saturday Oct 5 

September 30, 2024 ~ Sawyer Free Library ~ 

The Gloucester 400+ and Gloucester Celebration Corp have made a $20,000 investment in the Sawyer Free 2025 capital campaign. This generous gift will fund the innovative Gloucester Timeline touchscreen wall located in the Library’s new Local History Research Center. The Local History Research Center will connect residents and visitors with our local history through compelling special and circulating collections, expert assistance, engaging programs and thought-provoking exhibitions.

“On behalf of Gloucester 400+ and Gloucester Celebration Corp, I am pleased to announce a $20,000 gift to Sawyer Free Library’s Local History Research Center for the Gloucester Timeline interactive touchscreen wall,” said the organization’s Executive Director Elsje Zwart. “We are thrilled to be able to participate in this important space within the newly renovated and expanded Sawyer Free Library, where people can come and explore not only the hundreds of stories about the people of Gloucester collected over our quadricentennial plus year and continue to add to them, but also to research Gloucester history and the people who lived and worked here for 400+ years.”

“We are grateful to the Gloucester 400+ organization and the Gloucester Celebration Corp for their generous $20,000 donation to the 2025 Sawyer Free Library,” said Mern Sibley, President of the Sawyer Free Library’s Board of Trustees. “The Library’s Local History Research Center will be a groundbreaking resource for our city, revolutionizing how we preserve, curate, and access our historical treasures. The interactive touch screen wall, funded through this generous donation, will be a signature feature of the center, providing an innovative and engaging way for residents and visitors to connect with Gloucester’s 400+ years of heritage. We are honored that our longstanding community partner, who shares our same commitment to preserving and sharing Gloucester’s rich history, is now a part of the Library’s transformative building project.”

The centerpiece of the Local History Research Center is the 85-inch interactive digital touchscreen wall, designed to enhance research through the Gloucester Timeline. This online research tool chronicles the city’s history. Launched in January 2024, the Timeline already boasts over 1,500 entries covering notable events, people, and places that have shaped Gloucester’s identity. Accessible both in the Library and online, the Timeline has attracted more than 21,000 visitors, providing a captivating and comprehensive resource for historians, scholars, and residents alike.

The new touchscreen wall in the Local History Research Center will make exploring Gloucester’s past a more engaging and collaborative experience. Visitors can interact with the Timeline, searching through categories, subcategories, and keywords to uncover stories of Gloucester’s history over the past 400+ years.

In addition to historical records, the Gloucester Timeline features the Digital Gloucester 400 Stories Project, bringing a modern, dynamic element through personal narratives and oral histories that reflect the strength and diversity of Gloucester’s people. These stories, compiled during the city’s 400th anniversary, ensure that Gloucester’s evolving history remains inclusive and vibrant for future generations.

The Gloucester Timeline is a living online resource that chronicles the key events and figures that have defined the city. Covering everything from art and literature to Gloucester’s vital maritime heritage, the Timeline weaves together stories from over four centuries. It draws from various assets, including photographs, videos, newspaper articles, and other historical documents, serving as an invaluable research tool.

The 2025 Sawyer Free Library historic renovation, expansion, and modernization project began last September and is now halfway completed. With two-thirds of the $29 million fundraising goal already reached, community engagement remains strong. However, there is still much more to raise, making this significant investment from the Gloucester 400+ and other local businesses and community organizations essential to the project’s success.

Expected to open in 2025, the newly renovated Sawyer Free Library will feature a 14,000-square-foot addition, beautifully restored buildings, and sustainable design elements, all of which will support the greater Cape Ann community.

The renovated Gloucester Public Library will offer current and emerging public technology, diverse collections, engaging programs, and new dedicated spaces for collaboration, learning, and relaxation.  It will feature a 100-seat Community Room, meeting rooms, study rooms, a digital learning lab, a teen room, an expanded children’s room, an enhanced Matz Art Gallery, and ample space for its book collection.  

The Library invites the community to learn how to get involved and support this vital project at 2025.sawyerfreelibrary.org.