Chamberlin named Administrator of the Year

RUMFORD -- Rumford Elementary School Principal Anne Chamberlin was honored Thursday morning as Maine Association of School Libraries Administrator of the Year by Peggy Becksvoort, president of the Maine Association of School Librarians

Edna Comstock, secretary of the organization, made the accouncement in school cafeteria before some 275 cheering students and teachers.

Along with flowers and a plaque, the award also included $500 to be spent on adding more books to the school's library. Bechsvoort, the librarian at the Falmouth Middle School, said this could be the first time the award, in his 15th year, has been awarded to an administrator in this region.

In receiving the award, Chamberlin said, RES Librarian Eileen Broderick, “It's really an award for the library, not for a person. I'ts about people working together for the kids. I'm thrilled Eileen (Broderick, RES librarian) gets to spend some money for children."

Broderick, in her nomination letter, said that Chamberlin has fought to retain media specialists and has emphasized the integration of technology in all aspects of education, including its crucial role through literacy and information. She wrote that Chamberlin has called the library the center of the school.

Asked what she would like to use the monies for, Broderick said that perhaps additional audio books could be purchased as they are popular with the students.

The award had been kept a secret from Chamberlin since Nov. 22. However, because Chamberlin had planned to leave before the ceremony due to illness, she was told about the award to convince her to stay longer.

The award was aligned with the school's Literacy Day, which included day and evening storyteller performances and books being distributed to each child through the Reading Is Fundamental program.

Anne Chamberlin Photo:

Rumford Elementary School Principal Anne Chamberlin (left) was honored Thursday morning as Maine Association of School Libraries Administrator of the Year by Peggy Becksvoort, president of the Maine Association of School Librarians. (Times photo by Bruce Farrin)