OpenGloucester

Sawyer Free Library Board

Minutes (PDF)

What was decided

The Corporate Communications Committee of the Gloucester Lyceum & Sawyer Free Library met on August 11, 2026 to review library programming, Lyceum activities, the Spring Appeal results, the Art Auction, publicity efforts, the Annual Meeting date, and hiring a part-time grant writer. The committee approved the minutes from July 14, 2026, and discussed several ongoing tasks, including creating a Lyceum webpage, sharing grant-writer leads, and writing a blurb about the Saunders House.

Decisions recorded

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Gloucester Lyceum & Sawyer Free Library

Corporate Communications Committee

Meeting Minutes

Tuesday, August 11, 2026 at 9:00 AM

Conference Room, 2 Dale Avenue, Gloucester MA

As the recent amendments to the open meeting law allows, this Committee will continue to hold meetings remotely. Adequate alternative access to the meeting is provided through the zoom link below.

And via Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86018488672 To join by phone: 646-931-3860

Attendance: in person: Fran Aliberte (Chair), Christine Araujo, Christine Armstrong, Jason Brisbois, Cheryl Marks, Dawn Sarrouf, Library Director Jenny Benedict, Assistant Library Director Lisa Ryan (left at 10:00), and guests Geoff Bradford, and Julia Brotherton (joined at 9:15)

Not Present: n/a

  1. Call to order

  2. Welcome + Introductions

  3. Approval of Minutes from July 14, 2026. The minutes were approved, as presented, via roll call.

  4. Library Programming Update - Lisa - Summer Reading ends next week. Participation has been enthusiastic. - There is a program at the Shalin Liu tomorrow done in collaboration with other Cape Ann libraries. - Countdown to Kindergarten on August 20. - Teen Room Art Unveiling on August 13. - Lisa gave a preview of fall programming. Details are to be worked out. Highlights will include author talks, local history presentations, a creative art series, a Librarian recommendation series, a new technology series, some collaborative programs, and much more.

  5. Lyceum Update - Julia - The gentleman who complained at the May Our Democracy event has continued to pursue the issue. The Lyceum has brainstormed how best to respond. Discussion ensued within the meeting on appropriate responses. - Upcoming: in November a panel presentation on AI.

    • They have secured a headliner to moderate. More details to be worked out.
    • Website: There was talk of creating a page on the SFL website for the Lyceum. Lisa will work on that.

  6. Spring Appeal Final Numbers - Christine - We more than doubled our goal of $60,000.

  7. Art Auction Update - Christine - They are reaching out to artists. Selections will be juried. - They are reaching out to potential sponsors. - Some pieces will be in a silent auction and others in a live auction.

  8. Publicity Update - Fran - We were in the Gloucester Daily Times twice last week. - Fran reviewed local options for publicity. We are doing a good job listing events and programs. Staffing at GDT have changed and we need to work on re-creating a relationship. - Brainstorming other ideas: sharing news and newsletters with other organizations to highlight collaborations; a community podcast (using the Library's new technology); recording programs to share on the website; having the Sound Artist in Residence promote Library technology services as part of their project; record tech-help sessions to share (Jenny commented that there are plans to record sessions and translate them into Spanish); offer some group programs (such as Mah Jong) upstairs -perhaps in the Matz Gallery - to encourage people to visit the rest of the Library; have Library staff welcome groups and speak briefly about other services/programs.

    • Next year is the 100th anniversary of Fiesta. A Boston creator has already expressed an interest in using our services to record interviews with local people to share their memories.

  9. Annual Meeting - Regularly scheduled for the second Wednesday of November. This year that falls on Veterans' Day. We may still hold the meeting on that day. - Work on this will begin after the Art Auction.

  10. Grant Writer - Christine

    • We are looking to hire a part-time grant writer. Both Jenny and Christine Araujo have potential leads they will share with Fran.

  11. Other: promoting Saunders House. Jenny will write up a blurb about work being done.

  12. Next meeting: Tuesday September 8, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.

  13. 10:25 Adjourn. There being no further business the meeting was adjourned.

Respectfully submitted, Tracy Bowen

Motions Summary

n/a

Actions Summary

Lisa will create a page on the SFL website for the Lyceum.

Both Jenny and Christine Araujo have potential grant-writer leads they will share with Fran

Jenny will write up a blurb about work being done on the Saunders House.

Agenda

Agenda not recorded here. It may be in the city's Archive Center.

Source

This meeting is known from its minutes in the City of Gloucester Archive Center. First recorded by OpenGloucester on .