We asked Alisha Chaney some questions about her role at the West Buxton Public Library.

What attracted you to the West Buxton Public Library?

I have always loved libraries since I was a child. I had moved to Buxton spring 2025 and went in to get my library card. Saw that they were looking for volunteers (and still are!) and now, here we are.

When did you join the staff and what are your duties there?

I am not staff; I am a volunteer and a member of the board of trustees. As a member of the board, I help make decisions for the library and support our social media/public relations.

Which part of your duties stand out as a favorite and why?

I get to get more familiar with the community and different things occurring and can share with the library group.

What are the hours and days that the library is open?

West Buxton Public Library is open on Tuesdays, 4-8 p.m.; Thursdays, 4-8 p.m.; and Sundays, noon-4 p.m. On Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. is PJ Storytime where Caroline (Nickerson) reads books to the children who show up. It is geared toward preschooler age but can be adjusted depending on who shows up. And on the first and third Sundays of each month, we host a craft group. Folks can bring their partially finished crafts and sit around and socialize while working on them. And on second and fourth Sundays we have Lego Club, where folks can build stuff with the Legos we have on hand. Both events run from 1:30-3 p.m.

How many people are on the West Buxton Library staff?

Just one, our library director, Caroline Nickerson.

Is it overseen by a board of directors?

We have a board of trustees to oversee the library. We are looking for more volunteers to join us on the board, please reach out if you are interested! 

Do you have an educational background and/or prior experience in library work?

No education in library science; just volunteering since I was child. At a board meeting, it was discussed that we’d like to increase our presence online and I was nominated to help as I run social media accounts for a couple of nonprofit running events in southern Maine, also as a volunteer. I don’t have a social media/marketing background either, my day job is in engineering.

For more information, the library can be reached at 727-5898.