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BIXBY BULLETIN NEWSLETTER
February 2024
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Thank goodness early February offers us promising milestones to bring a little sunshine to these seemingly interminable gray days.
This morning, Punxsutawney Phil's shadow eluded him, so tradition promises above-average temperatures for the next six weeks. Let’s hope we still get enough snow to enjoy while we are warmed by early hints of spring.
Phil isn’t the only one promising good tidings this season. Yesterday, February 1st, marked the halfway point between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox. On this day in Celtic tradition, known as Imbolc, we take time to embrace nature’s slumber and begin preparing for spring rebirth. Why not take advantage of this month to dream? Just search the library catalog on our website for physical and digital titles to inspire.
Need more rays of light? Take a look at the Bixby's Instagram and Facebook feeds! Programming and Outreach Manager Cedar Winslow has brought a vibrant new energy to our social media channels. Her unique blend of humor, charm, and insight has garnered lots of positive feedback on charming videos, fun photos, and informative posts to keep you up to date on library happenings.
As an extra bonus, Bixby Archives Assistant Anna Hurd mines our local historical collections every Friday to share fascinating tidbits and stories from across our five towns. These have become fan favorites that we hope you’ll enjoy, too.
Here's to celebrating the ups and downs of the season in this wonderful community that we share.
Warmly,
Library Director
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What's New at the Library? |
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New Exhibit: Making Music in Vermont |
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Did you know there is a band in Vermont that claims to be the third oldest, continually playing band in the country? Do you know why fife, drum, and bugle bands were originally part of the military?
These questions and more are answered in the Bixby’s newest exhibit: Making Music in Vermont. Thank you to our curator and chair of the Historical Collections Committee, Nancy Remsen, for creating this joyful exhibit! Visit the Bixby’s Kerr Room and discover the music.
STAY TUNED for our upcoming music series at the library, where music and history join together in harmony!
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Celebrating Black History Month |
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Immerse yourself in books written by African American authors this February! Check out our Black History Month book display for engrossing narratives about influential figures and pivotal moments that have shaped the Black experience in America.
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100+ Women Who Care, Addison County Donates to the Bixby |
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The Bixby Library was honored to receive $2,625 from the 100+ Women Who Care, Addison County. Thank you to all of the 100+ women who work hard to give back to local non-profits, and a special shoutout to Julie Spencer Adams for letting us know that she nominated the Bixby Library!
The Bixby will use these funds towards creating a library that is accessible to all and developing a building master plan that centers accessibility in its mission. We are deeply grateful to be supported by this powerful group of over 100 caring women across Addison County.
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Introducing Mobile Museum History Kits |
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Introducing the Bixby's new local history teaching kits featuring items from our museum and archive collections. The Mobile Museum History Kits utilize our primary sources to explore national themes of American history as experienced in the Bixby’s five-town region of northern Addison County, Vermont.
Thank you to Catherine Brooks for her hard work creating the history kits and accompanying guides and to local educator Josh Brooks for his guidance in making them relevant for educators.
The Mobile Museum History Kits are ready to be loaned out to teachers and community groups. They are designed for grades 5-12 and can be adapted for all ages. Each kit includes a teacher’s manual, artifacts, and primary sources selected from the Bixby Library's historical collections.
Check out the following Mobile Museum History Kits from our Library of Things:
- Community and Culture
- Centuries of Settlement
- A Study of Early Industrial Growth
- War and Its Aftermath
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Valentine's Day Release: Blind Date with a Book |
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The Bixby is coming to a Little Free Library near you! On February 14th, we are leaving Valentine's Day treats across Vergennes, Ferrisburgh, Addison, Panton, and Waltham. Stop by your nearest Little Free Library for a Blind Date with a Book curated by our Adult Librarian, Amber Lay, and Children's Librarian, Mary Neffinger.
Our five towns are home to 10 Little Free Libraries. Click here to find a Little Free Library near you!
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Try Out an Assistive Device |
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Did you know that the Bixby has a collection of devices that can help you to see, hear, and use fine motor skills?
These devices can be used in the building or checked out by library cardholders. If you would like to use one of these devices, please ask at the circulation desk.
Don’t see what you are looking for? Click here to request an addition to our collection!
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Hearing
- use this small personal amplifier to improve listening and communication with library staff or in a library program, can be used with personal hearing aids
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Fine Motor
- to hold books and magazines of various sizes
- including a signature guide and check-writing guide
Ergo pencil grips
- to provide greater comfort to right and left-handed pen and pencil users, especially those with arthritis or carpal tunnel syndrome
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We are so grateful to all the generous donors who contributed to the Bixby's Annual Appeal Fund this year. Click here to see a list of everyone who has given.
You still have the opportunity to add your name to the list of Bixby Library Lovers. Click here to donate to the Bixby; no amount is too small. Your contributions support our operating expenses and fund all the wonderful services we offer for free at the library.
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February is National Library Lovers' Month! This month is dedicated to library lovers everywhere who depend on their local libraries for knowledge, technology, and community gathering space.
Next time you're at the Bixby, stop by our Library Lovers' Month display to fill out a card stating why you love your library and grab a free Bixby button. If you can't make it to the library, show us some love on social media with your favorite photos or videos using the hashtag #BixbyLibraryLove.
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Amber Lay, Assistant Director/Adult Services Librarian
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February is packed with youth programs at the Bixby!
Celebrate 80 years of Smokey Bear with the Smokey Bear Reading Challenge! Join Smokey in learning about wildfire prevention, forests, and the environment. Check out the display for reading logs, book suggestions, coloring sheets and more.
Are you more into music than camping? Taylor Swift fans are welcome to join us for an Alternative Valentine's Day Party on February 14th with food, crafts, and tunes to shake off the winter doldrums. This program is geared towards ages 10 and up, but all Swifties are welcome.
In partnership with the Boys & Girls Club of Vergennes, we also have the 6th Annual LEGO Contest coming up on Saturday, February 24th. Click here to sign up for the competition by February 13th! Don't have any LEGOs? Join us to build an entry for the contest with the Bixby's LEGOs on Saturday, February 17th from 11 AM to 1 PM.
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Are you looking for a creative outlet that will brighten a senior's day? The Bixby Library and Addison Housing Works invite you to show your love and make a Valentine’s Day card for a local senior. We encourage you to add a small note about yourself to give the cards a personal touch. Cards can be made at the library or drop off your cards by Saturday February 10th.
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The month of February is full of love, hearts, and roses, but why not celebrate the non-romantic relationships in your life too? February is International Friendship Month!
The Bixby Library is more than a collection of books; we offer a free community space to foster connections. So come to a program, bring a friend, or make a new one!
If the idea of chit-chatting makes you grimace, we've got an opportunity to socialize without saying a word! On Thursday, February 8th, we welcome you to our Silent Reading Party, an opportunity for introverts and extroverts alike to come together and read. Join us from 5 to 6 PM to read in tandem with friendly bookworms in our cozy Community Room. Or, if you'd like to chat about what you are reading, come 15 minutes early and leave 15 minutes late to nerd out over the book you are loving (or hating, no judgment here).
Then, dive beneath the surface of the Revolutionary War with our upcoming event, Underwater Archaeology of the Revolution, presented by the Executive Director of the Maritime Museum, Chris Sabick. This talk will feature topics ranging from the Battle of Valcour Bay, excavations at Arnold's Bay, and recent documentation of the Gunboat Spitfire. Join us to learn about history that's not just deep, it's downright submersive!
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It was the title that first drew me to this book. From the beginning, it caused me to question: Is anything anyone is saying true? Can I believe any of this? The title grabbed me, and then I couldn’t let go of it as I read.
Alix wanted a distraction in her life. She invites a woman to her house to make a podcast with her. As things become increasingly unsettling, she questions her decision to befriend Josie.
If you enjoy tense psychological thrillers, this one is worth the read.
Martha Sanborn
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The Eyes and the Impossible by Dave Eggers recently won the John Newbury Medal. While marketed as a middle-grade (read: children's fiction) animal adventure book, it can be read and enjoyed by readers of all ages. The book is a joy to read, filled with gorgeous illustrations, and written in a casual voice accessible to many types of readers.
The main character, Johannes, is a stray dog who lives in an urban park by the sea. His job is to be the Eyes—to see everything in the park and report back to the park’s elders, three ancient Bison. His friends—a seagull, a raccoon, a squirrel, and a pelican—work with him as the Assistant Eyes, observing the humans and other animals who share the park and ensuring the Equilibrium is in balance. Changes are coming that are sure to shift the friends' worldview.
Mary Neffinger
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In a not-so-distant future ravaged by pollution and environmental catastrophe, The Land of Milk and Honey follows one woman's journey to rediscover her pleasure through taste. Zhang's novel is deliciously written. Each sentence beckons reading and re-reading to drain each drop of delectable description, while the rapid plot tugs the reader from page to page. The Land of Milk and Honey is a treat for the senses and a feast for the mind.
Cedar Winslow
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Volunteer Spotlight: Lisa Miller |
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Lisa Miller volunteers at the Circulation Desk, checking books in and out, signing patrons up for new library cards, and keeping the desk beautiful with additions like the amaryllis plant pictured above. Recently, Lisa was appointed as a co-chair of the Bixby’s Summer Soirée Committee. She is eager to share this year’s theme: Celestial Soirée, “we are planning an incredible interstellar party to benefit the Bixby!”
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Why do you volunteer at the Bixby?
I think of the Bixby as a real gem in Vergennes and for the five towns it serves. Just walking in is enough to blow you away and understand what a treasure it is. I learned more about the Bixby when I was asked to help at the annual Plant and Book Sale, where I was immediately engaged and welcomed by the other volunteers. I volunteer because of the kindness of the Bixby staff and fellow volunteers and the opportunity to support an amazing place in several ways.
What is one of your favorite memories of volunteering at the Bixby?
My favorite memory is repeated over and over again: anytime someone new to the Bixby walks into the lobby, looks up at the stained glass ceiling, and says, “WOW!”
Another special memory is of the children who help stamp the expiration date on their books every time I work at the desk. Some of them read eight books a week! That shows how much the Bixby is contributing to the education of our youth.
Finally, I love each opportunity to sign people up for a new Bixby Library card and provide an orientation on all of the programs and platforms that are free to patrons. I hope reading this sparks someone to think, ‘I should get a library card,’ or ‘I should update my old card.’ With new book titles being added continually, the selection is always fresh.
What do you like to read?
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Thank you, Lisa, for your enthusiasm, dedication, and joyful presence at the Bixby.
If you are interested in joining the Bixby Volunteer Team, click here to learn more and fill out a volunteer application!
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News from the Bixby's Historical Collections |
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The Bixby's Museum Collection is full of enough primary materials to last you a lifetime. For the history-curious, did you know we have convenient finding aids in the Special Collections section of our website? A finding aid is a guide that explains the content and context of a collection of archival materials. It usually contains a summary of the collection’s contents, biographical or historical information about the papers’ creator(s), and a list of subjects or related search terms. This information can help curious researchers determine whether they want to make an appointment to view the collection in person.
History Team volunteers, including Kathy Ferris, Jamie & Merle Edwards-Orr, and Nancy Remsen, have been lovingly preparing these finding aids over the last two years. The project of documenting our collections to make them more accessible to community members is ongoing.
Click here to view our complete list of Finding Aids and search for historical treasures without leaving your home. |
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VUES Youth and Family Engagement Night |
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Thursday, February 8th, 5:30 to 7 PM
Vergennes Union Elementary School
Parents, caregivers, students, and community members are invited to attend the first Youth and Family Engagement Team meeting, a space to collaborate with Vergennes Elementary School students to create a more inclusive school community. The team will explore topics such as community, belonging, shared values, and equity in our schools. This free event includes a light dinner and provides an opportunity for child care.
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Addison Historical Society Meeting |
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Sunday, February 11 at 2 PM
Addison Fire Station, 44 VT Rt. 17
The February Addison Historical Society meeting will feature a special guest speaker, local historian Bernard Noble. Bernie's presentation will explain the intricate process by which the historic and fragile brick New Haven Junction station was moved and saved. Its new home is 1.6 miles overland on North Street, New Haven. A short business meeting will follow. |
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Thursday, February 15, 6:30 PM
Hosted by the Rokeby Museum via Zoom
Whether or not we’re aware of it, what has occurred in the places we call home—who lived, learned, loved, and labored there before us—deeply informs our sense of identity and belonging. In this presentation, Atlantic Black Box Executive Director Meadow Dibble will contrast the cherished myth of Northern exceptionalism with scholarship that reveals a long history of colonization and racial oppression in the region.
Click here to register for this free event. |
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VUHMS Musical Department Presents: Mama Mia! |
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Thursday, March 14 at 7 PM
Friday, March 15 at 7 PM
Saturday, March 16 at 3 PM
Join the Vergennes Union Middle & High School cast and crew for a hilarious story of a young woman's search for her birth father. This sunny, funny tale unfolds on a Greek island paradise on the eve of her wedding.
The story-telling magic of ABBA's timeless songs like "Dancing Queen," "Knowing Me, Knowing You," and "Take a Chance on Me" propel this enchanting tale of love, laughter, and friendship. A mother. A daughter. Three possible dads. And a trip down the aisle you'll never forget!
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If you enjoyed our newsletter, forward it to a friend near or far! |
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Library Hours:
Tuesday-Thursday: 10 am-7 pm
Friday-Saturday: 10 am-3 pm
(802) 877-2211
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