Behind Closed Doors Part 5: Development

On a grand scale, Sharon’s job as Topsham Public Library’s Development Coordinator is “to create community where everyone feels welcome and connected to the world around them.” On a basic level, she raises funds through opportunities like the Business RoundtableWhitten Society memberships and grant applications, so that staff can continue to create and build a community center for all; a center where all are welcome and have access to information, entertainment, lifelong learning, and community. These funds also help the library build a collection that meets the interests of our users, sparks enlightenment, and cultivates new ideas.

When asked about her favorite part of her job, Sharon says, “I get to witness my neighbors find new friendships, escape loneliness, and discover new things. I get to watch our staff help patrons feel welcome, find the information they are looking for, and create programs that are engaging and enlightening. I feel so lucky that I work in a place where people of all ages and backgrounds walk in wearing smiles because they’ve come home, and where the staff sing while they work because they love what they do.”