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THE BIXBY BULLETIN
October 2025
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We all need a little magic in our lives, and libraries are places where magic happens every day. From the patron searching for “the book with the red cover” or needing help printing, to those seeking connection or a quiet space–libraries are full of wonders. So just imagine how magical an actual magic show would be!
In a sleight of hand trick, while the Vergennes Opera House is under construction, “off stage” productions are popping up around town. The Bixby is delighted to present magician Tom Joyce at the library on October 18 at noon—a show full of magical fun for all ages!
In another magic act of sorts, the Bixby Trustees have embarked on the search for a new library director. While no one can truly replace Catharine Hays, the Trustees feel fortunate to have attracted a strong and well-qualified pool of applicants. Stay tuned–we hope to have a big announcement soon!
And, just like pulling a rabbit out of a hat, the Trustees have also been hard at work to design and implement a new heating system for the Bixby. With the help of DuBois & King, Inc., plans are underway for installing a more efficient furnace and updated radiators. We don’t have an official timeline yet, but one thing’s certain–it won’t be as simple as ABRACADABRA!
One last thing before my disappearing act, THANK YOU for your support of the Bixby. In whichever way you connect with the library, I’m glad you are here and I hope to see you soon.
| | What's New at the Library? | | Book, Plant, and Pie Sale Success - Thank You, Friends of the Bixby! | | |
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us at the Friends of the Bixby Library’s Annual Plant, Book, and Pie Sale on Saturday, September 27! Every dollar raised goes directly to supporting the programs, services, and offerings of the Bixby Library. We’re especially grateful to our generous five-town community members and local businesses who donated plants and books, and to the Friends for their dedication, hard work, and ongoing support—thank you!
Plant Sale Chair Maggie Catillaz and her committee partnered with local community members, nurseries, and businesses to bring together an impressive variety of plants. Simultaneously, Eileen Brennan rallied the community to bake pies—delicious homemade treats that proved just as popular as the plants themselves.
The success of the Plant Sale has grown alongside the commitment of longtime Friends of the Bixby Library leader, Karlene Devine. We are deeply grateful to Karlene and the entire Friends team, whose work collecting, organizing, displaying, and selling books makes the Friends of the Bixby Library’s Book Sales such a beloved tradition.
Join us in celebrating our dedicated Friends of the Bixby Library during National Friends of Libraries Week, October 19–25. If you see one of our Friends, be sure to thank them and share your appreciation—they make a world of difference!
While the sale itself has wrapped up, you can still find plants available on the Bixby’s front lawn. Stop by to see what’s left, and pay at the circulation desk if one catches your eye. All remaining plants will be half-price starting Saturday, October 4!
| | In the Blink of an Eye: Fifty Years of Photography by Douglas Mack | | |
Experience our new fall exhibit, In the Blink of an Eye — a dynamic photography collection by Vergennes artist Douglas Mack. Spanning fifty years of Mack’s artistic growth and exploration, the show features 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, services, and offerings. Inquire at the circulation desk for details!
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As the leaves change and the crisp breezes arrive, it's a great time to embrace the transition into autumn and consider volunteering at the beautiful Bixby Library. We need help shelving books and maintaining the stacks on Tuesdays from 10 AM-12 PM.
Interested in this unique opportunity to serve your community with a weekly 1-2 hour shift? Click here to fill out a volunteer application and join the Bixby Family!
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Banned Books Week is October 5–11, 2025, a time to bring awareness to the escalation in attempts to ban books in libraries, schools, and bookstores around the country. The American Library Association (ALA) documented 821 attempts to censor materials and services at libraries, schools, and universities in 2024, and 2,452 unique titles were challenged, the third-highest number ever documented in the US.
During this week, we encourage our patrons to exercise their reading rights and go on a “blind date with a banned book.” Visit our display in the lobby, choose a wrapped book based on a tag listing the reasons it was challenged or banned, read it, and let us know what you think!
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Amber Lay, Assistant Director/Adult Services Librarian
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This fall and winter we are participating in a new reading program called Reading Dragons! Created by the Dover Library in Ohio, Reading Dragons allows kids to earn collectible playing cards of different mythical creatures in exchange for minutes spent reading. Sign up using this link or at the circulation desk–our first week of collecting begins October 7!
In the YA section, we’re launching a celebrity guessing game. Come guess the mystery celebrities for a chance to win a gift card to the Flying Pig Bookstore in Shelburne!
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October is filled with fall-themed fun at the library! Enjoy a Halloween-style family movie, a murder mystery book selection for Book Club, and a month full of autumnal Crafts of the Week.
Join us in the Community Room for popcorn and family fun as we watch The Addams Family (2019 animated version, rated PG) on Friday, October 24 from 6:30-8 PM!
This month’s Book Club will discuss The Maid by Nita Prose on Tuesday, October 14 from 6–7 PM. What a perfect time of year for a cozy mystery–read this one on your own or join us on the 14th. New members are always welcome!
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As suddenly as an apple falls from a tree, autumn programming for adults and all ages has arrived in full swing! Kicking off October on a community-led note, we’ll welcome Ferrisburgh couple Karl Coplan and Robin Bell to share their journey around the world on their sailboat on October 9.
Creeping into the spooky season, join us on October 25 for an After-Hours Halloween Movie Night for Adults featuring Clue (1985, PG) – popcorn provided!
In early November, we’ll honor Veterans and Military Families month with a Coffee & Chat hour for veterans and military families, complete with coffee and homemade baked goods from Martha (you’re in for a real treat) on November 4.
And finally, don’t miss Addison poet Molly Johnsen’s reading from recently-published debut collection, Everything Alive on November 6. Fall marks a new beginning–come celebrate the change of seasons with a library program soon!
| | | | Witch Hat Atelier by Kamome Shirahama | |
This cozy story with elements of lurking darkness follows Coco, a young girl who dreams of becoming a witch more than anything. When a freak magical accident gives her the chance, she is taken in by a wizard and begins studying alongside other young witches in a wondrous, fantastical world. As Coco learns witchcraft, she must prove her worth to her fellow witches and discover how to weave her skills as a seamstress into this magical world. Fans of Spirited Away will be enchanted by Coco’s adventure and the breathtaking artwork in this manga.
Shelby Gagne, Children & Youth Librarian
| | | | The Blue Hour by Paula Hawkins | |
This book’s setting on an isolated island only accessible during low tide is what really drew me in. The island is inhabited by artist Vanessa Chapman and her friend/caretaker, Grace. Told across multiple timelines and interwoven with Vanessa’s journal entries, the story’s central mystery unfolds when a bone believed to be human is discovered as part of one of her artworks. Could it belong to her ex-husband, who mysteriously vanished years ago? Don’t expect rapid twists and turns; this is a slow-burning, tense mystery told by a skilled storyteller.
Martha Sanborn, Circulation Desk Manager
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Lidija Hilje’s debut Slanting Towards the Sea is a poignant exploration of love, loss, and the shifting tides of identity. Ivona divorced the love of her life, Vlaho, a decade ago after a devastating secret forced her hand, and now in her thirties she has returned to her childhood home to care for her ailing father. While Vlaho has remarried and built a family with his wife, Marina, Ivona finds solace in their unlikely friendship—until a new man unsettles the fragile balance between them all. Narrated with Ivona’s clear-eyed candor and set against the evocative backdrop of coastal Croatia, the novel pairs propulsive storytelling with hypnotic, lyrical prose.
Amber Lay, Assistant Director/Adult Services Librarian
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Questions or comments on this month's newsletter?
Contact Bixby Bulletin Editor-in-Chief, Miranda Degreenia.
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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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