TURNER — Turner Public Library continues to see growth in 2019, including increased patron activity, new staff and more opportunity for community members to provide their ideas.
“Our patrons were very flexible and patient this summer,” said TPL Saturday Librarian Joan Pedersen. “We were very fortunate to have folks who understood that the new parking lot would be worth some days when we couldn’t open for safety reasons.”
The parking lot isn’t the only change this year – former Assistant Library Director Ellen Bradley is now the library director, and Turner resident Amy Mahar started as TPL’s new library assistant on Dec. 17. Mahar is excited about joining the library.
“When we moved to Turner, the library was one of the first places we sought out as we settled in,” she said. “I’m looking forward to helping people discover all the great things the library has to offer.” Maher is an East Machias native who came to Turner via Baltimore. She enjoys quilting, knitting, reading and homeschools four active kids who are also excited about volunteering at the library.
The Library is also looking for the public’s input on how it can best serve the community in the future. TPL’s Visioning and Long-Range Planning committee is taking suggestions from community members, patrons and area businesses regarding what needs the library can address in the next decade.
Turner Public Library has adopted as many of the best practices possible from national library trends but wants to make sure that the needs of the local community are the first served. To accomplish this goal, TPL needs to hear from the community at large with their comments, concerns and suggestions. The library has installed a suggestion mailbox in the Library and encourages folks to communicate by whatever methods they’re comfortable with.
Board of Trustees President Anthony Shostak said, “We really enjoy meeting with people and hearing their thoughts on how to make the library a better place, but if someone would rather drop a note in the book drop outside the building, or email the Board directly at Anthony@turnerpubliclibrary.org, we’ll take that just as seriously. What’s important is that we hear from the people who use, or would like to use, the library as their community hub. And the door is always open to new volunteers who have some time to contribute.”
