THE BIXBY BULLETIN

May 2026

May is here, and that means it’s time for our Annual Gala! The Gala committee and the Bixby staff have been putting in 110% effort to make sure our Depths of Discovery Gala is a fantastic mix of food, drink, dancing, and bidding on our plethora of silent auction items. There is sure to be an item or two that you’re just going to have to have – I have my eye on a few things myself!

The Gala is one of two major fundraising events for the Bixby, with the other being our Annual Appeal. The money we raise through these fundraisers, which make up about one-third of our operating budget, allow us to continue providing the programs, services, and books you love at the Bixby.

It’s not too late to get tickets. We have a few left, so don’t wait or you might miss out on the event of the season! Looking for a way to contribute? We are still accepting sponsorships and silent auction items. For more information, click here.

The other excitement here is our new heating system. Work is underway, with the crew busy removing old radiators and installing new piping. It’s loud here every day until about 3:00 PM, but it’s well worth the noise and a little bit of dust to ensure you’re warm next winter when you visit!

I hope you are all enjoying the spring weather. It’s lovely to see the grass greening and the trees and flowers blooming. For a Southerner like me, I thought this day might never come, and I’m so glad it has.

Wishing you all a beautiful May. And as always, if you’re at the Bixby, I would love to meet you if we haven’t yet met.

Jennifer Pearson

Library Director

We’d like to thank the students and teachers across ANWSD for adorning our walls with beautiful, colorful artwork from grades K–12. Our Community Room, Children’s Room, Vermont Room, and upstairs balcony will feature a delightful array of paintings, drawings, sculptures, and more through Tuesday, May 12. We love celebrating our community’s creativity!

We have officially started Phase One of our Heating System Renovation project! As a reminder, here’s what to expect as we work toward a smooth and efficient upgrade:

Construction will take place Monday–Friday, 6:00 AM–3:00 PM. During these hours, you may notice increased noise, as well as some adjustments to room availability or program locations. For the time being, we have paused online room reservations as we learn more about the construction schedule. Parking in our lot may be limited due to construction vehicles, so we recommend using nearby street parking when possible.

The Bixby Library is deeply grateful to the City of Vergennes for their continued support and commitment to preserving and strengthening this historic community resource. This project reflects a shared investment in the library’s future, helping create a more efficient, sustainable, and comfortable space for all who visit.

If you have questions or concerns about the project or are interested in purchasing an antique radiator, please contact Library Director Jennifer Pearson at jennifer.pearson@bixbylibrary.org. Thank you for your patience and understanding!

The Girls Before by Kate Alice Marshall

I always get excited for a new thriller, and this one was exactly what I tend to look for. The story alternates between Audrey, a search and rescue expert investigating a missing girl in the present, and a captive girl’s experience in the past. Through plenty of twists and suspenseful moments, the town’s dark secrets are unveiled, including the local legend of a “forest witch” who saves girls from wicked men. I’m eager to read other books by Kate Alice Marshall!



Martha Sanborn, Circulation Desk Manager

John of John by Douglas Stuart

Booker Prize–winning author Douglas Stuart returns with another gem, John of John. John-Calum, or Cal, returns from art school to the Isle of Harris and is drawn back into a life of sheep farming, strict Presbyterian beliefs, and a small, watchful community. Living with his deeply religious father John and spirited grandmother Ella, Cal struggles to balance his desire for queer relationships and freedom with his father’s rigid expectations of faith and masculinity. Meanwhile, John’s perspective reveals secrets that threaten to unsettle his authority and the fragile order of his world. What follows is a moving story about identity, family, and the cost of being true to oneself.

Amber Lay, Assistant Director/Adult Services Librarian

Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Set against the backdrop of NASA’s 1980s space shuttle program era, Atmosphere follows Joan, a driven astronomer and aspiring astronaut, as she falls in love with her colleague Vanessa, a talented pilot hamstrung by NASA’s expectations of what women are capable of. As we dive deeper into Joan and Vanessa’s romance, one that defies all odds within a misogynistic and homophobic institution, the narrative alternates between their love story and a present-day disaster in which Vanessa is trapped in space. Riveting, tear-jerking, and heartfelt, this page-turner explores understanding one’s place in the universe and pushing the bounds of what is possible for humankind.

Miranda Degreenia, Community Engagement Manager

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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