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2025-2027 Status of Public & School Libraries Working Group: Home

Established by the Maine Legislature in 2025, this Working Group will assess the status of public and school libraries in Maine for two years, with a report submitted to the Maine Legislature by November 7, 2027.

Working Group Members

Working Group members were appointed by the bodies listed on the first page of the legislation in July/August 2025:

Working Group Member Name Affliliation Representation
Beth Andersen Dyer Elementary School, South Portland Maine Association of School Libraries President
Ben Blackmon Rockport Public Library Maine Library Association, Municipal Public Library
Julia Bouwsma Webster Public Library Maine Library Association, Non-Profit Public Library
Mollie Cashwell Jesup Memorial LIbrary, Bar Harbor

Maine Library Association,

Non-Profit Public Library governing board member

Bethany Connolly Skillin Elementary School, South Portland Maine Principals Association
Rachel Davis Thomas Memorial Library, Cape Elizabeth Maine Library Association, Municipal Public Library
Lynsey Johnston RSU 48, Damariscotta Maine School Superintendents Association 
Kerrie Lattari York Middle School Maine Association of School Libraries
Heather Martin Interdisciplinary Instruction Specialist Maine Department of Education
Jenny Melvin Library Dev. Consultant, Maine State Library Maine State Library
Amy Ryder RSU 73 (Jay, Livermore, etc.) Maine Association of School Libraries
Sarah Skawinski Portland Public Library Maine Library Association President
Abby Thompson Rangeley Lakes Regional  Maine Association of School Libraries
Ben Treat Bangor Public Library Maine Library Association, Non-Profit Public Library

Lori Stockman, Maine State Librarian, chairs this Working Group. For any questions about this Working Group, please contact her at lori.stockman@maine.gov.

Craig Freshley of Good Group Decisions has been hired to facilitate Working Group meetings and discussions.

Maine State Librarian