WASHBURN, Maine — Washburn Memorial Library recently welcomed two new staff members who are hoping to expand the library’s programming and create learning opportunities for people of all ages.
This past week Tim Whiton and Courtney Howe officially began their positions as library director and children’s librarian, respectively.
Whiton grew up in the Portland area and has fond memories of reading at the city’s library, which helped feed his curiosity and love of history. High school and college cross-country ski competitions often brought him to Aroostook and he served as the University of Maine at Presque Isle’s ski coach during the 2017-18 season.
Tim Whiton has begun serving as Washburn Memorial Library’s new director. (Melissa Lizotte | The Star Herald)
After Whiton’s wife Tara was hired as a community health professor at UMPI in 2020, the couple moved to Wade with their son Rhys, 2. When the position of library director became open, Whiton knew it would be a great opportunity to combine his love of history and community spaces.
“One thing I’ve always loved is getting to know people and hearing histories of the places they’re from,” said Whiton, who is earning a doctoral degree in history from the University of Maine. “I think the library could be a major hub of the community like it was years ago.”
As part of his goals for the library, Whiton hopes to grow the digital archives and ebook collections, bring more SAD 45 students to the children’s and teen room and create events and programs that connect youth with older generations.
Whiton said that he and the board of directors are exploring potential ideas, such as “roundtable” discussions with younger and older generations, and a music record club for those who enjoy music from previous decades. He also hopes to encourage more students to use the library for school projects and help them discover the joys of more traditional research methods.
“It’s often our instinct to just Google something, but there is a lot to be said for having a place to quiet your mind,” Whiton said. “Libraries can be a space to converse with people and open your mind to new things.”
Courtney Howe has been named the new children’s librarian for Washburn Memorial Library. (Courtesy of Courtney Howe)
Whiton and Howe are renovating the downstairs Barbara Porter Room, the children’s library dedicated to the former librarian. They hope to include more modern furniture and technology and make the space more inclusive for both young children and teens.
For Howe, a Washburn native and UMPI graduate, becoming children’s librarian became was the ultimate way to continue her work with the library, after having volunteered for storytimes during the past year. She previously worked as a middle school teacher and operated her own daycare in Perham.
“I love working with children, so this job is the perfect fit for me,” Howe said.
Once renovations are more complete, Howe would like to hold monthly craft activities for children, in addition to a biweekly storytime. She would also like to collaborate with the town to establish a Storywalk, a series of laminated pages from a children’s story placed alongside various points of a walking path or nature trail.
Howe is excited to begin a new chapter for Washburn’s library alongside Whiten. She is hopeful that the easing of COVID-19 restrictions will encourage more people to utilize library resources and stop by for community events.
“I think there’s going to be a real need for different ways to get the community involved [in the library],” Howe said. “I think Tim will be great at helping us get different age groups into the library.”
Washburn Memorial Library is open from 1 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday to Friday and from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday.
