THE BIXBY BULLETIN

April 2026

April is here, and we are busy getting ready for the event of the season–the Bixby Depths of Discovery Gala on Friday, May 15th! Have you gotten your tickets yet? Picked out the perfect outfit to emulate the fashions that might have appeared in the time of Jules Verne’s classic novel 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, first published in 1870? I’m still searching for the perfect outfit that will express the tintype look of the original book. Maybe a little steampunk? Or dressing like the famous Captain Nemo? I’ll leave the giant squid costume to someone else.

If you would like more information about the Gala, including how to buy tickets, become a sponsor, donate to the silent auction, or donate food, all of that can be found here. I am so looking forward to meeting many of you there!

Another exciting project that will begin soon at the Bixby is our heating renovation. We will be replacing our old boiler system with a more efficient natural gas system. The system will no longer bang and clang each day–a noise that really disturbed me when I first arrived and had no idea what it was.

The renovation will happen in two phases. The first phase, which will start in the next couple of weeks, is to ready the library for the new system. This means pulling new piping through the floors so that the radiators are ready to be replaced when they arrive. The second phase, which will happen over the summer, will be the installation of the radiators.

We will be experiencing more noise and the possibility of having to move programs around from time to time due to construction. But it will all be worth it to be toasty and warm during our next cold season. Many thanks to the Bixby Board and the City of Vergennes for making this project possible. Click here for more information about the project.

I hope you all have a wonderful and (relatively) warm April. The spring flowers are starting to come up, and soon the wonderful colors of spring and summer will be upon us. I am so excited to experience my first spring and summer here. If you have any tips about activities for this new resident, please send them my way. You can always reach me at jennifer.pearson@bixbylibrary.org.

And as always, if you’re at the Bixby, I would love to meet you if we have not yet met.

Jennifer Pearson

Library Director

April 19th-25th is National Library Week! During this week, we invite you to celebrate the many ways libraries bring joy, connection, and lifelong learning. Whether you’re a regular patron or need to renew or set up your library card, this is the perfect opportunity to explore everything the Bixby has to offer.

Our library provides print and digital collections, programs for all ages and interests, free Wi-Fi, a Library of Things, crafts and puzzles, exhibits, and meeting spaces, ensuring that everyone has access to resources that educate, inspire, and connect. Come celebrate with us here at the Bixby!

Bixby volunteers contribute to every corner of the library, from staffing the circulation desk and organizing book sales to preserving our historical collections and keeping our building beautiful. Their time, energy, and dedication make it possible for us to be the welcoming space our community relies on.



As we celebrate National Volunteer Week alongside National Library Week from April 19th–25th, please join us in offering a heartfelt thank-you for their generosity and hard work. We are deeply grateful for all the ways our volunteers bring joy to the Bixby!

Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke

This stunning debut novel follows social media influencer Natalie Heller Mills who lives a seemingly perfect life on a ranch in Idaho with her husband and six children. She spends her days making sourdough, homemade pies, collecting eggs, and touting the benefits of raw milk to her 5-million-plus Instagram followers, meanwhile making a fortune selling on-brand products online. However, one day, Natalie wakes to find herself transported to another time, where her family are familiar but different, her home no longer has electricity or modern conveniences. As we shift from Natalie's past to her present, we learn the dark motivations behind her rise to fame and just how far she is willing to go to make her perceived self a reality. This clever and biting satire explores the themes of traditional family values, gender roles, social media culture, and political extremism, and is sure to spark discussion at your next book club.



Amber Lay, Assistant Director/Adult Services Librarian

Is It Spring? by Kevin Henkes

This quiet, thoughtful picture book explores the shift from winter to spring from a child’s perspective. Small changes like melting snow, birds returning, and warmer air tend to spark the recurring question: “Is it spring yet?” Henkes uses simple, poetic language and soft illustrations to capture the feelings of waiting and noticing. The book’s gentle pacing encourages mindfulness and curiosity, making it a perfect read-aloud for young children as they observe seasonal changes in their own world.



Shelby Gagne, Children & Youth Librarian

Questions or comments on this month's newsletter?

Contact Bixby Bulletin Editor-in-Chief, Miranda Degreenia.

Library Hours:

Tuesday–Thursday: 10 AM–7 PM

Friday–Saturday: 10 AM–3 PM

(802) 877-2211

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