Gloucester Lyceum and Sawyer Free Library Corporation Annual Meeting

The Gloucester Lyceum and Sawyer Free Library Corporation will be hosting its Annual Meeting on Wednesday evening, November 15, 2023, 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.

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. 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. Kecia is receiving this prestigious award for her leadership, tireless dedication to the Sawyer Free Library, and countless hours volunteering in a variety of roles, including many years of service on the Library’s Board of Trustees from 2013 to 2019 and the Buildings and Grounds Committee from 2014 to 2022. Kecia continues to serve on the Board of the Friends of the Sawyer Free Library, which she has participated in since 2010.

The evening will also feature a special presentation to recognize Beth Pocock, who recently retired after a decade of exceptional service as the Assistant Library Director. Throughout her tenure, Beth has played a central role in the Library's development, innovation, and expansion of its services. Under her guidance, the Sawyer Free has seen numerous enhancements, including the implementation of a wide range of innovative programming and the development of collaborative initiatives with local schools and community organizations. Beth’s leadership, commitment, and dedication to fostering a sense of community among library patrons have been instrumental in the Library's continued success.

The Library Annual Meeting will be from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., with corporators sign-in beginning at 6:00 p.m., at Gloucester Stage, located at 267 East Main Street in Gloucester. Refreshments will be served. The meeting is open to the public, but only Library Corporators can vote. For more information, please visit sawyerfreelibrary.org.

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About the SFL: Gloucester Lyceum and Sawyer Free Library Inc. serves the informational and cultural needs of Gloucester's residents of all ages, as it has for over 175 years. Today, the Gloucester Lyceum & Sawyer Free Library continues as a public charitable corporation as designated under a charter granted by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts on June 10, 1872. Its purpose remains to provide equal access to quality resources that serve all people's lifelong cultural, educational, and informational needs and interests. Its guiding mission is to be a place of learning, innovation, and creativity to nurture and strengthen the community. Each year, SFL hosts hundreds of programs and serves thousands of people. All of its programs and exhibitions are free and open to the public. To learn more, visit sawyerfreelibrary.org.