The students needed 400 foam bananas. 

Jane Goodall had just passed away, and Jen Stanbro, the librarian at Waldo T. Skillen Elementary School, was organizing a school-wide research project into her scientific contributions. Students would receive a prize in exchange for a fact. 

“Bethany didn’t even blink,” Stanbro said. “She was like, ‘Of course you need 400 tiny foam bananas.’”  

Bethany Connolly, the principal of Skillin, was named the Maine Association of School Libraries’ Administrator of the Year for her support of the school library’s programming.

Connolly, who has been principal for nine years, has prioritized offering representative literature and creating an atmosphere that encourages all kinds of engagement. 

Skillin is a diverse school. More than 50% of the students are Black, Indigenous or people of color, more than 50% qualify for free and reduced lunch and 30% to 35% are multilingual learners.

It’s really important that students have access to books that they see themselves in, Connolly said. 

She whispered this to Stanbro at a Maine Association of Libraries conference years ago, during a presentation about the temporary Welcoming Library exhibits, a program that provides children’s books, chapter books and discussion questions centered around the modern immigrant experience, including the perspective of newcomers as well as first- and second-generation immigrants.

Skillin should have a permanent collection, Connolly said to Stanbro at the conference.

Now it does, and it includes books written in different languages for the school’s multilingual learners.

Connolly also supported much needed improvements to the library space, Stanbro said. 

“The library at our school is not a place where you have to go and be quiet and look but don’t touch,” Connolly said. “It’s very hands-on.”

There’s a makerspace and toys to play with. The floors are more durable than they used to be, and there’s a mural with bright colors. 

“There’s a children’s museum feel when you’re visiting the library,” Stanbro said. “We’re trying to bring play and creativity into it.” 

And Connolly’s support for school libraries extends beyond the Skillin community. She sits on a legislative working group for school and public libraries, and she’s realized how different library offerings are around the state. 

Some schools, particularly in more rural areas, aren’t staffed with a certified librarian. “It’s not always something students have access to daily,” she said. 

At Skillin, the library is dedicated class time, and students also participate in programs for heritage months and author talks. 

“My hope is that all kids in Maine would have that opportunity to access the same level of library programming,” Connolly said.