THE BIXBY BULLETIN

March 2026

 

Director's Dispatch

 

As the days grow longer in March, most of us are looking forward to spring and warmer weather–I know that I am!


With spring comes the much-anticipated fundraiser and party of the season: The Bixby Depths of Discovery Gala on Friday, May 15th from 7 to 11 PM. This year’s theme is inspired by 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne–think steampunk meets the Nautilus and the Giant Squid for an unforgettable night of adventure beneath the waves.


Like the novel itself, this year’s theme invites us to venture into the unknown with curiosity and courage. Beneath the ocean’s surface lies a world of wonder–strange creatures, hidden treasures, and unexplored territory–reminding us that there is always more to learn when we dare to dive deeper.


As you all know, I’m very new to the community. By next year, I’m sure that I’ll know many of you much better! As I begin learning more about the people, places, and traditions that make this community so special, I’ll need some help with three important things for the Gala.


We’re looking for sponsors, donations for our silent auction, and volunteers to help bring the event to life. Want to showcase your design skills and help us create an underwater Victorian fantasy? Can you lend a hand with set-up on the day of the event? Do you have other talents or ideas you want to share? I would love to hear from you. You can contact me at jennifer.pearson@bixbylibrary.org.


I’ll be sending sponsorship letters to–and soliciting silent auction items from–some of you reading this in the near future. You’re also welcome to fill out this form to become a sponsor or donate to the silent auction, though you’ll likely see me in person soon! Now that it’s getting warmer, I’ll be out and about more, and I can’t wait to connect.



Please read on for your formal invitation to The Depths of Discovery Gala, and don’t forget to check out all the Bixby activities in the meantime!

Jennifer Pearson

Library Director

 

What's New at the Library?

 

You're Invited to the Depths of Discovery Gala

Join us for an extraordinary voyage beneath the waves at the Bixby Library on Friday, May 15th, from 7 to 11 PM, for this year’s highly anticipated Depths of Discovery Gala. Inspired by 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne, our annual fundraiser invites you to descend into wonder beneath the library’s storied stained-glass dome in the magnificent marble rotunda.


Your ticket unlocks:



⚓ Nautical melodies by the Grift

🦑 Dancing on the ocean floor

🫧 Local bites & libations

🐚 Deep-sea treasures in silent auction

🪸 Timeless memories in our photobooth


Tickets to last year’s Secret Garden Gala sold out quickly—don’t miss your chance to experience this year’s undersea adventure! Click here to purchase your tickets, or visit us at the Circulation Desk to discover what marvels await beneath the sea at the Depths of Discovery Gala.

Last Chance to View In the Blink of an Eye

The last day to view In the Blink of an Eye, Vergennes artist Doug Mack’s stunning photography exhibit, will be Tuesday, March 17th. This dynamic photography collection spans fifty years of Mack’s artistic growth and exploration, featuring everything from early black-and-white images taken with a Diana plastic camera, to vivid color pinhole photography and expansive drone-captured landscapes.


All works are available for purchase, with 40% of proceeds supporting the Bixby Library’s programs and services. Inquire at the circulation desk if a piece catches your eye!

 

Mark Your Calendar!

 
Programs for All Ages
 
 
Adult Programs
 
 
Youth Programs
 
 

Staff Recommendations

 

The Sunflower Boys by Sam Wachman

Artem spends his days like any other 12-year-old–riding his bike with his brother, watching movies with his best friend, and drawing in his sketchbook. That is, until the first bombs fall in Ukraine. Overnight, Artem’s life is upended as he is forced to flee his home, unaware of the waves of devastation that are yet to come and rob him of his innocence. The Sunflower Boys follows Artem as he is forced to navigate his new reality, along with lingering uncertainty about his developing queer identity, resulting in a heartfelt, harrowing tale of love, identity, and survival in a time of devastating war.


Miranda Degreenia, Community Engagement Manager

An Academic Affair by Jodi McAlister

This sharp, funny, and unexpectedly heartfelt romance follows two PhD academics who, after 15 years of competing for the same coveted job, enter a marriage to satisfy institutional expectations and secure their futures. At its core, the novel explores what happens when intellectual chemistry turns into something far more complicated. McAllister clearly knows university culture, using that insight to satirize and humanize it through clever, self-aware writing that playfully pokes fun at romance tropes while celebrating their charm. The characters are layered and believable, each wrestling with pride, insecurity, and the fear of wanting too much.



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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