Deb Cleveland, longtime children’s librarian at the Auburn Public Library, stands Tuesday in the stacks. She is retiring Thursday after 21 years in the position. Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal
Deb Cleveland — a book-lover, storyteller and beloved children’s librarian — will begin retirement Thursday after working at the Auburn Public Library for 21 years.
“My life here had purpose, because I was doing things for other people — for the kids and for the community,” said Cleveland, the head of Children’s Services and Family Place coordinator at the library. “I’m really honored and grateful that I had this opportunity to be here.”
For Cleveland, the best part about her job was, by far, Story Time every week.
She loved being able to connect with the kids in that way. It reminded her of how she used to read books to her boys when they were younger, and how her parents used to read to her and her sister when they were small.
Some of her favorite children’s books include “Wolf Coming” by Joe Kulka and “Blueberries for Sal” by Robert McCloskey. She also enjoys the works of Chris Van Dusen, Melissa Sweet and Shirley Hughes. She loves Melissa Sweet’s Alfie series because the artwork is “warm, cozy, and inviting.”
Of course, the list doesn’t stop there. Cleveland said she could “talk all day” about books, and she emphasized the importance of making sure kids read.
“I heard that if you start reading to a child early, you are really helping them with their development,” Cleveland said. “Those who are read to at an early age do better in school. “
“And stories can help kids understand other people,” she said. “When you read about people who are different from you, it gives you an opportunity to step into their shoes and see what other people are like, how people live in different places all over the world, how other people feel about things. Even if we have different opinions on things, or different political views, we have much more in common, and stories can bring people together that way.”
She said children’s librarians can play a role in helping them enjoy reading, since they are focused on children’s literature and children’s books and can make sure that kids are getting access to the “best books.”
While she won’t be working at the library anymore, that doesn’t mean she’s leaving behind her love for stories.
In August, Cleveland is due to become a grandmother and is super excited to read stories to and spend time with her new grandchild. As she begins a new chapter of her life, it is quite clear that she is leaving behind a legacy of stories which will be cherished and recounted by those who knew her.
Maureen Goff, a former volunteer at the computer lab in the Auburn Public Library, said Cleveland is “just a great gal.”
“I’d go downstairs to visit her when I was there on Tuesdays, but mostly, I’d see her when I brought children into the library. She was always helpful, pleasant, never in a bad mood, and very outgoing,” Goff said. “You could tell she loved her job.”
Zack Reinstein, one half of the Maine-based kindie rock duo, Fun Run, and who works alongside his wife, Mia, said they often credit Deb for kicking off their career.
“Three summers ago, we started shopping around at libraries to see if we can play and Deb was the first librarian to get back to us, offering us a show,” Reinstein said. “Without her, I don’t know if we’d be as successful as we are right now.”
He mentioned that during the pandemic, he and his wife did three Facebook Live shows, which were “all (Cleveland’s) idea.” After one of the shows, Cleveland told him that she and the other library staff members had been “dancing around” to their music.
Susan Weiss, a trustee on the board of directors at the Auburn Public Library, said Cleveland is “such a touchstone” in the library.
“She’s just there,” Weiss said. “You go into the children’s room and there’s Deb.”
She recounted a story where Cleveland helped her in the past year.
“I have a granddaughter who lives in Brooklyn, New York, but was here during COVID, and to keep her in touch with her friends from Brooklyn, her parents made a story zoom and I was selected to be the reader one night, and I didn’t have time to go to the library, and I emailed Deb and said “Deb, please help me, what’s a good story for a 5-year-old?”
Soon after receiving that message, Cleveland gave Weiss a bag of library books which she picked up. All the books were perfect for the age level.
“I really appreciate the extra work she put in because she didn’t have to do that,” Weiss said. “She’s real stable. She’s real solid. She’s real, kind, loving, intelligent, knows kids, knows children’s books. She’s been an anchor in the children’s room, for me, and for our whole community.”
“She will be missed,” Weiss said.
The feeling is mutual. Cleveland said she will miss her work colleagues, the families that came into the library, the kids, and Story Time.
“The whole state of Maine is really fortunate that the Maine library community is very supportive and innovative,” Cleveland said. “I’m just grateful to have been a part of such a wonderful group of people. I really am.”
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