Photo credit: Baxter Memorial Library StaffJeffrey Knox, Josh Brunck, Nissa Flanagan, Tara Brown, James Rathbun, Heidi Whelan, Deb Tanguay (not pictured, Danielle Grady)
James Rathbun, Library Director
James Rathbun serves as the library director for Baxter Memorial Library in Gorham. He began his career in youth services almost 16 years ago. He has been the director since 2016. Rathbun states, “It’s a great place to work and the Town of Gorham has been great to work for. I wouldn’t have stuck around this long if I didn’t enjoy it.” Outside of BML, Rathbun likes to run, lift weights and compete in obstacle course racing. Rathbun is currently reading “Ordinary Monsters” by J.M. Miro. and shares that he will always recommend anything by Susanna Clarke, Joe Abercrombie, David Sedaris, and Alan Bradley.
Nissa Flanagan, Deputy Director
Nissa Flanagan has worked at BML for the past two years as the deputy director, which she describes as “one title but many roles.” Flanagan oversees circulation at the library, plans programming for adults and families, collaborates with other departments and assists the director as necessary. Flanagan states, “It is an absolute joy to spend your days surrounded by smart, funny people on both sides of the counter! Gorham is such a great community. Everyone who walks through these doors into the library should feel welcome because the library is a place that belongs to all of us.”
Tara Brown, Administrative Assistant to the Director
Tara Brown has been working at BML for nearly 6 years as the administrative assistant to the Director. Prior to that, Brown was a volunteer in the Youth Services Department and a substitute library assistant. Those experiences ultimately made her want to become a full-time member of the library staff. Her favorite program to be involved in has been the Harry Potter Book Nights. The enjoyment that the patrons get out of those nights “makes all the work that we do to pull them off worth it.” As a final thought, Brown shares, “A book that completely changed my worldview and that I recommend to everyone is “Ishmael” by Daniel Quinn.”
Danielle Grady, Senior Library Assistant, Youth Services
Danielle Grady has been employed for 22 years at BML where she is the senior library assistant in Youth Services. Grady, known as Miss Dani, presents the Baby and Me Discovery Time and Toddler Discovery Time. Grady also does outreach storytimes to local preschools. In collaboration with coworker Deb Tanguay, Grady prepared, planted and completed the new Bee and Butterfly Pollinator Garden this year. In Grady’s own words, “The best part of my job is meeting all the families, engaging with the children and watching them grow up. One of my favorite times is when families bring their relatives to BML to meet us and see the library!”
Josh Brunck, Technical Services Librarian
Josh Brunck is the Technical Services Librarian at BML and is also the newest member of the BML staff joining the team in January of 2022. Brunck’s primary duties are the cataloging and processing of all library materials. His responsibilities include entering all the new books into the integrated library system so that patrons can find them in the catalog. Brunck’s office is located downstairs in the children’s area, so he is able to work closely with the children’s library staff. He shares, “It’s great to see them interact with the kids and families who visit the library.”
Jeffrey Knox, Youth Services Assistant
Jeffery Knox has been employed at BML as a youth services assistant for 3 years. “Gorham is unique in terms of the community’s involvement with the library. That is one of the reasons this job is special. Turnout for our programs is through the roof and we couldn’t be more grateful for everyone’s participation.” Knox has been involved in the Preschool Storytime where he partnered with Heidi Whelan to lead storytime where children and families “have a blast”. Knox is complimentary toward the families who come to participate in the youth programs saying, “They are attentive and thoughtful, and make the program a joy to look forward to.”
Heidi Whelan, Youth Services Librarian
Heidi Whelan has served as the youth services librarian at Baxter Memorial Library for nearly 7 years. Whelan describes her role as a combination of a freedom fighter and a party planner. She is a passionate advocate of children’s freedom to read and she maintains a diverse and inclusive collection since children need to see themselves reflected in books and also read about people with different experiences than their own. She strives to introduce reading and learning in an enthusiastic and celebratory manner by creating a welcoming environment where parents and children are invited to experience the love of reading.
Deb Tanguay, Preschool Outreach
Deb Tanguay serves as a liaison between BML and local preschools, helping to promote early literacy and school readiness. She also serves in Youth Services, providing individual reader’s advisory, shelving books, assessing the collection, creating displays, finalizing the processing of books, and collaborating with her colleagues on programming. Tanguay can be found dressed in a vegetable costume, enthusiastically promoting Summer Reading and the Discovery Program. She was integral in launching the Bee and Butterfly Discovery Garden project. “It has brought me immense pride to be a part of the BML family for nearly three years and to be at the heart of such an important hub in our community.”