THE BIXBY BULLETIN

September 2026

I can't believe it's already September. Where did summer go? Summer is always the busiest season at any public library and that's probably why it goes by so very fast. Summer reading challenges and programming fill our summer here at the Bixby. We had 94 readers participate in our annual Booked for Bikes summer reading challenge, which is the second highest participation in the program to date. A big thank you to Scott Gaines and the Vergennes Rotary Club for sponsoring this every year. Thanks to their generosity, we were able to give away 4 bikes to area children.

September is National Library Card sign up month. Here's a challenge for you: find two friends who aren't Bixby cardholders and bring them to the library this month to sign up for a card. One of the best things you can do as a Bixby supporter is to share your love of the Bixby with your friends, and getting them here to sign up for a card, or bringing them to a program, is a great way to support the Bixby.

We have so many things going on this month, including an open house on Friday, September 25th (9 Two 5) from 2-5pm, where we will be celebrating the life of the fabulous Dolly Parton who did so much for early childhood literacy. We are encouraging folks to come in their best Dolly costumes and enjoy food prepared from her cookbooks as well as crafts and fun Dolly-themed activities. We will even have some live music. Bring the whole family and join in the fun.

We are also partnering with Big Heart Social on Saturday, September 19th from 5-7pm for a fun filled evening of Dolly and Tim Curry-inspired drag. The event will take place at Big Heart Social on School Street in Vergennes.

Check out Olivia's column below for all the news of children and youth programming.

Also of note this month, the radiators are in and being installed throughout the library. We may be a bit noisy throughout the month and possibly into October, but by the time the cold weather hits, it will be nice and toasty in the Bixby.

As we say down south, "Happy Fall, Y'all!" Hope to see you at the Bixby soon.

Jennifer

Jennifer Pearson

Library Director

What's New in the World of Children and Youth Services

As I enter into my third month of working at the library, change is around every corner. Every morning is a little colder, school is back in session, and the Children’s Room has been slowly updating.

We wrapped up an amazing Summer Reading program a couple of weeks ago, and thanks to Scott Gaines and the Vergennes Rotary Club, we were able to give away four bikes to local readers! We had 94 kids in grades pre-K through 8th participate in our Booked for Bikes challenge, and they collectively read for 69,900 minutes this summer! Congratulations to all of our participants. I’m already looking forward to next summer, and all of the fun we’ll get to have.

As summer turns to fall, make sure to take a look at our events calendar to see all of the exciting activities we have planned.

In the spirit of change, the Children’s Fiction section of the Children’s Room has undergone a bit of an upgrade. Chapter books are now sorted by genre, allowing for more exploration and exciting new reads! I welcome you to come check out the colorful new update. Looking to try out a new genre with your kid? Check out my recommendations located in each genre section! If you have any questions about where to locate books as we all adjust to this new system, please let me or the person at the circulation desk know.

– Olivia Brooks, Children and Youth Services Librarian

Teen Programs

Vermont author Miciah Bay Gault’s sophomore novel The Nobody Code follows the would-be quiet life of Dinah, a woman who literally collects lists of rules. She has a good job, a good husband, a good toddler. Her life should be good. Calm. Domestic, even. But, the mysteries & dramas of her teen years—and her own personal fairytales—
just won’t stop catching up with her. These winding, intertwining narratives unfold in lyrical, tongue-in-cheek prose whose mysteries will leave you confused & delighted.

– Tea Friend, Adult Services Librarian

You know when you pick up a book and start to read it and about a chapter in you know exactly how it's going to end? Dolly All the Time by Annabel Monaghan is one of those. But it's so delicious in its descriptions of beautiful people and beautiful places that you just can't put it down. Looking for some escapism into the lifestyles of the rich? Struggling with your eldest daughter syndrome (always!)? Wanting to hold on to the feeling of the New England summer and beach reads just a little longer? Need a read that's easy, breezy and satisfying? If you said yes to any of these questions, then Dolly All the Time may be for you.

– Jennifer Pearson, Director

Questions or comments on this month's newsletter?

Contact Jennifer.

Library Hours:

Tuesday–Thursday: 10 AM–7 PM

Friday–Saturday: 10 AM–3 PM

(802) 877-2211

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