Library

Pat Higgins, Librarian

Tell us about yourself:

I live with my best friend and husband, Dave, who is a teacher and artist. We have two grown sons, Justin, who lives in North Carolina with our grandchildren Laura and Colin, and Sam, who lives in Portland with his wife, Erin. We have two cats, Calpurnia and Ijit. I graduated from the University of Southern Maine with a history degree and from the University of Rhode Island with a Masters in Library and Information Science. I do some webpage development for artists and art groups and have my own website (ImagineMaine.com). In my free time, I like to read, knit, garden and spend time outdoors kayaking and hiking.

Tell us why you like being a librarian?

Being a librarian was not something that I grew up wanting to be! When I was studying at USM I had a work-study job at the university library and discovered that it was a very interesting job. Since then I have worked in school libraries for all grades from kindergarten through college. Libraries and computers work hand-in-hand. I’ve taught computer skills to students and teachers and helped them with technology projects since the 1980ís. For me, computers are a lot of fun!

What are your favorite student units?

I’m really happy to be the librarian at Cushing School. It’s a beautiful school with great students and staff. CCS students are very excited about books and reading! I love the picture books and the read alouds. I like to read books that connect to what students are studying in the classroom and, of course, the classics make wonderful read alouds. Each year, we read the ten choices for the Chickadee Book Award, and students vote for their personal favorite in April. I love hearing the students compare the books and decide which is their favorite.

What is your parent contact plan?

Because I am only at Cushing Community School one day a week, it is probably easier to contact me by email (phiggins@msad50.org). I can be reached by phone at Cushing on Wednesdays and at Thomaston Grammar School on the other school days if needed.

What are your library guidelines?

Wednesday is library day. I really want students to go home that day with library books in their backpacks. Reading is so important! Please help your students remember to bring in their library books on Wednesdays so they can sign out new ones. In the event that a student forgets his/her book or is absent on library day, library books can be returned on any school day, and Miss Kristi will help students sign out new books.