Love Of Books, Community Fuels New Deer Isle Librarian

DEER ISLE—As a child, Nina Woodward felt at home in a library. When she moved to Deer Isle in 1987, the first thing she did was get a library card at Chase Emerson Memorial Library, a full year and a half before she married her husband.

- Monique Labbe

Now, 32 years later, Woodward finds herself in the director’s seat at the library, running the day-to-day operations ranging from book orders and cataloging to making sure the rugs are freshly vacuumed.

Woodward was recently hired to take over the position from Valerie Messana, who Woodward served under as assistant librarian three years ago. Now an “empty nester,” Woodward said the position has been a good fit for her life.

“I just love the library, and to help it and serve the people of this community feels great,” said Woodward. “The library is an integral part of democracy; it serves as an equalizer for public access. It’s a crucial part of a community.”