Hello Alfred and Lyman Families!

My name is Shannon Sibya, also known as Mrs. Sibya (pronounced SIB-EE-YAH). I'm the Library teacher at Alfred and Lyman Elementary Schools. To tell you a little about myself, I would start off by saying that being a librarian is a dream come true. You know all of those large homes and castles from movies that have a their own library, complete with ladders and balconies and comfy armchairs? I have always wanted one of my own! Libraries of all sorts get me excited and give me a tingly feeling. As a little girl I made library cards and taped index cards into my books with date stamps all so that I could pretend to check books out. As you can imagine, I am myself, an avid reader; my favorite genres being fantasy and historical fiction. I am also currently in the process of writing my very own children's book and I hope to have it grace the shelves of our local libraries within the next few years.

I am married and have two adventurous kiddos, GG and Sabrina, who both attend schools in RSU57. Our family also consists of two  Guinea Pigs: Oreo and Lemon, two curious kitties named Maui and Tully as well as a fun flock of little raptors, also known as chickens. As a family we enjoy most all things outdoors: camping, hiking, fishing, kayaking, swimming, skiing and snowboarding and more. I also personally look forward to curling up by myself with a good book (even better if it's at the beach, in a tent, hammock or around a campfire!!) and of course reading aloud as a family.

I graduated from Sanford High School and moved to Alfred while still attending the University of Southern Maine where I studied psychology, with an emphasis on childhood and developmental psychology. I have worked with children since I was a pre-teen; babysitting was my first job. I have also worked for a non-profit agency as a Direct Support Professional, worked in an orphanage in Belize City, Belize on a college service learning trip, volunteered with a local family resource center, as well as having children of my own. I began my journey with RSU 57 in 2015, substituting in the district. I just fell in love with the teachers, staff, students and families in the district and I was so happy to join the staff full-time in 2016.

I look forward to getting to know all of the students, reading with them, and bestowing on them a love for libraries as great as mine!

My goals for our libraries are simple:

• To encourage and promote a love of reading by getting to know students and their individual tastes to help them learn to choose "just right" reading level books that they will enjoy.
• To increase each student's comfort level with the library, so that they can easily find books from both fiction and non-fiction collections and use the library resources to do research.
• To increase technology use within the library in order to seamlessly integrate tangible and virtual resources and increase student knowledge and success with both. I also aim to teach and encourage healthy and safe habits with technology.
• To make the library a place that students get excited about and are proud of; to create an inviting, inspiring space for students and staff alike.

I hope to meet all of you at some point and I want you to feel welcome in our libraries. I can't wait to see what kinds of fun and adventure we encounter this school year!

Happy Reading!

Mrs. Sibya