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| Sam Cote with a few of her new friends |
There
was a big welcome this past Thursday, December 6 at the Windham Public Library
(WPL) as staff and residents formally welcomed Sam Cote as the new children’s librarian.
With popcorn and cookies, brownies and juice, the conference room was filled
with many excited community members. The welcome party was a success and a fun
way to introduce Ms. Cote to all the library patrons.
Cote
was hired as the children’s librarian this past October, following the
retirement of Mrs. Laurel Parker who had been the children’s librarian for 25
years.
Liam
and Fiona Shaw, along with their mother Liz, were among many who came to greet
and welcome Cote. “It’s great,” five-year-old Liam said of the party as he
played with plastic dinosaurs that were on display with pictures from the
recent Dinovember event.
Cote,
who grew up in Saco and was an avid reader from a very young age, is excited
about this opportunity and the staff and community members are looking forward
to working together with her at WPL. Cote
joins the library from Winslow, where she was the Youth Services and Technology
Librarian. “I have always loved books,”
Ms. Cote said. “But it didn’t occur to
me until college to become a librarian.”
Cote
began her path to becoming a librarian during a work study program at Smith
College where she majored in Women’s Studies and Public Policy. Originally thinking she would work at a
nonprofit dealing with issues such as domestic violence and sexual abuse, her
time working in the work study program led her in a direction. “I found that my
talents work better in the library world,” Cote said. “So, I completed my Masters of Science degree
online through the University of South Carolina while I worked full-time.”
Since
graduating Cote has had time working at Baxter Memorial Library in Gorham,
McArthur Library in Biddeford, and Jackson Memorial Library in Tenants Harbor
in various roles, all leading her to the role she is most passionate about:
children’s library services.
Ms.
Cote has many hopes and dreams for the Windham Public Library. “It’s great to see so many families already
using the library on a regular basis,” Cote said. “I look forward to
coordinating family programs with our adult services department, as well as
groups like Windham Parks and Recreation, Windham’s schools, preschools,
daycares, and Be the Influence.”
This
month, the library has two programs taking place during vacation that Cote and
the staff have been working on. One event will be aimed towards older kids
making snowflakes and slime and the other will be geared towards families,
opening an opportunity for younger children to participate in welcoming in the
New Year with a “Noon” Year’s Eve celebration.
Some
events that the library is currently working on are programs for fourth through
sixth graders such as a Lego Club and crafting session. With her love for
music, Cote hopes to bring programs that include dancing and singing to
supplement future story time events. “I would love to continue the great work
Mrs. Parker did and put my spin on it,” stated Cote.
The
library just wrapped up Dinovember, where plastic dinosaurs caused mischief in
the library and are currently working on the Wishing on a Star display. “I love seeing families work together on
filling out their feather or star and having a conversation about their
wishes,” said Cote. “I look forward to
getting to know Windham better and making the library an even better place to
come and visit.”
Cote
got married in September and her husband works for the Maine State Library in
Augusta. Although she does not have any
pets currently, she hopes to have cats and dogs in the future. She has a love for music and dancing and
plays the clarinet.
You
never know where the path of life will take you, but you always end right where
you need to be. If you are interested in meeting Ms. Cote, you can find her
most days the library is open in the children’s library section. Stop by to say
hello and welcome her to the community. As Dr. Seuss said in the book “Oh the
Places You’ll Go. Congratulations! Today is your day. You’re off to Great
Places! You’re off and away.”
