Footnotes: August 2025

Keep scrolling for the director's note, one vignette, three introductions, save the date, and one cool library resource! 

The new fiscal year started on July 1, so I am both reflecting and looking forward to the coming year. And as I write this, I realize that the library is within this same phase. The theme of 2025 was informed by the library’s 125th year. We reflected on the journey that got us to where we are and where it will be the coming years. As we celebrate our many accomplishments and our heritage, we are moving our focus toward the future. Our community of today is every bit as important as our community of tomorrow.

 

We will have a generator installed in October to continue services with growing concerns of climate impact. Building maintenance, sustainability, fiscal responsibility and relevant services are our key areas of focus at the administrative level. Programs, eBooks and new digital applications are daily points of planning among the staff. Your feedback about how these services impact you is tremendously helpful. Please share your experiences, we want to do more!

Friendly Aspiring Writers, this one's for you!

We are a community of readers and learners. First and foremost, that's what libraries are about. The more stories we read, the more we learn that each person holds a story within themselves. Through our popular memoir classes (already full for fall), and the Creative Writing Workshops we're holding this summer (last one is August 27), I have learned that we have a community of writers that is being underserved.

 

In talking with successful authors over the years, I learned that it takes a village to write a novel. For many writers, they have to work to form their own writing groups. They develop person by person, gradually growing through chance encounters at workshops or other book related events. They might connect with a friend-of-a-friend, or be in a relationship with another writer. This is the editing that happens before the formal editing process even begins.

 

If you're a writer in need of a writing group to hold you accountable, to edit and to advise your writing, and you're looking to fill that same role for others, let me help you find your people and get the ball rolling. I've created a survey for writers looking for a writing group. The theory is to then connect people with similar interests and goals. We can have some social gatherings to suss each other out, and then you're on your own to test the waters of a new writing group, with some guidance from me if you need it. If your group works for you, wonderful! If it's back to the drawing board, we'll help you out. This is an ongoing process. 

 

Right now, I'm realizing I need an editor to help me with all my mixed metaphors! But in the meantime, if you're interested, please fill out this survey.

 

Elsa Rowe

Community Engagement Manager

New Staff Member Behind the Scenes

A late introduction to an already-invaluable member of our library staff, here's Katie! Katie started in January as the office manager/volunteer coordinator/technical services assistant, or to put it simply: the library mom.

 

Katie keeps us organized behind the scenes: ordering supplies, managing volunteers, running inventory, helping the rest of us with all manner of projects, and has started some exciting new things here like the seed library, the plastic recycling program, and regular volunteer conversational meet-ups with our English language learners.

 

 

Elsa Rowe
Community Engagement Manager

New Staff Member in Youth Services

Meet Heidi!

Youth Services newest team member brings velvet dreams, verdant vocabulary, and macaroni-level joy to our library family.

Here at the library, we take fun very seriously so rather than ask Heidi for a traditional, resume-style bio (we already know she’s awesome at her job), we decided to get to know her the way our young patrons might: through a few silly and totally untraditional questions.

Here is what you REALLY need to know about Heidi!

Her favorite word in the English language is “verdant”—she says it reminds her of lush, green grass. Honestly, we feel calmer just reading that. This is so appropriate because Heidi brings that same calm and creativity to everything she does. 

If she could create a holiday, it would be National Velvet Day where everyone would be decked out in velvet.  A true librarian, of course, she has already researched making it a National holiday. Turns out it's really expensive, so she dropped the idea but assures us if anyone else wants to celebrate with her, she could totally get down with it. News flash, we are absolutely down with it. Velvet Day is happening.

If Heidi were a pasta shape, she’d be macaroni, because it looks like a smile and “knows how to have fun”—which, honestly, might just be the best reason to choose a pasta shape.

And finally, the best piece of advice she’s ever been given?

“Don’t believe everything you think.” A reminder that it is okay to pause, question, and think things through with a curious mind.

We’re so excited to have Heidi joining our team. You are going to love her energy, imagination, and joyful spirit!

 

Deanna McNamara

Youth Services Manager

New Staff Member at the Circulation Desk

 

Comics Plus, powered by LibraryPass, is a digital platform offering thousands of digital comics, graphic novels and manga to readers of all ages.  

 

You can access titles using a smartphone, tablet, or web browser, and can be downloaded to multiple devices.

 

There is never a wait to read, all titles are unlimited access simultaneous use.

 

For more information, visit Comics Plus | Scarborough Public Library

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Scarborough Public Library
48 Gorham Rd Scarborough, ME 04074
Phone: 207-883-4723