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SIDNEY– When Kimberley Spears started reading, she knew she wanted to share her love of books with everyone around her.
She realized not everyone in her community had financial access to a library in a neighboring community, and Sidney did not have its own public library.
She saw an online idea of a little lending library and decided this was her way to share books with her community. The idea fueled her Silver Award project for Girl Scouts. The project must be approved by the Girl Scouts of Maine and demonstrate management of community resources, logging 50 hours of community service. Spear’s project was to create the Sidney Free Library for her community and hold twice-monthly story times.
As a way to earn her Girl Scout Silver Award, she took on many leadership roles involved in making the lending library a reality.
The official unveiling of the Sidney Free Library will take place at 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept 29, and the public is invited to attend. Spears will have logged more than 50 hours of work and coordination to get to the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
As she worked on her project, Spears improved her speaking and presentation skills, time management skills, and contract and writing skills. She met and worked with community resources learning about her town management along the way and established a lending library that will continue to exist in her community long after she leaves for college. She has established community contacts to give her Library community investment.
A freshman at Messalonskee High School and member of Troop 436, Spears reflected on what she learned while earning her award.
“I can do anything I set my mind to and make an influence on others too.” She says she enjoyed spending time sharing stories and craft activities with the little ones during her twice a month story times held at the Town Office on Wednesdays, and she feels good about creating the library for all ages in the community.
Keith Bellefleur, a self-employed builder, used reclaimed items and followed Spear’s designs while she sanded painted and weather-proofed the library before placing it at the Sidney Town Office on Middle Road.
Patrick Linnehan, of Modern Woodmen of America, served as project adviser.
Spears said her community contact and leadership skills were put to the test. This was her first big community project and has sparked her to be more involved in other community activities. She has made important connections with community leaders and has made some good friends along the way.
“I have a contact for donations and a Facebook (Sidney Free Library) page so people can share stories, books, ideas and keep the library active,” she said.
Spears hopes to hold further story times for all ages and special events through the year to continue to inspire people’s love of literacy.
Kimberly Spears created the Sidney Free Library in front of the Town Office for a Girl Scout project. It’s the town’s only library. (Submitted photo)
