Amy Stone — Director, Bridgton Public Library, Bridgton, Maine & 2025 ARSL Board Northeast Regional Representative
Amy Stone's journey to rural library leadership began in a small border town in Arizona, where she discovered the power of community relationships. "That kind of community, the way people relied on each other but gave each other space, where you recognize individuals as the people they are and you get to know them over time, building relationships and not just handing someone their books, continued to call to me even after I had gone on to other, different professional positions," she reflects.
Since 2016, Amy has worked as the Library Director at Bridgton Public Library, a 1,024-square-foot nonprofit institution that receives less than a third of its annual budget from town grants. Under her guidance, the library transitioned from a divided space into an open and welcoming community center with a strategic vision "to be a model for a dynamic rural library focused on personalized library services for a diverse community."
One innovation Amy is particularly proud of is the Skillbuilder Collection, developed after staff observed children and young adults who needed extra support developing fine motor skills and literacy confidence. "I have a staff that is very naturally open to listening," she says, emphasizing how observation and responsiveness shape their services.
Amy's passion for library advocacy and rural digital equity extends beyond Bridgton. She recently served as the Maine Library Association Legislative Chair through June 2025. She is actively involved in various state and national advisory boards, including the Maine Digital Equity Alliance and the ALA Digital Equity Work Group.
As ARSL's Northeast Regional Representative, Amy brings this same listening-centered approach:
"Nearly two-thirds of libraries in America serve communities like mine. I think rural and small libraries are disproportionately impacted by legislation across America designed to ban books and paralyze public libraries. They often are not fairly represented, and my goal is to make their issues heard."
Her advice to other library workers? "Talk with other library people in your area. Building those relationships can only make you stronger in your work."
Amy Stone Board Bio
Written by the ARSL Office
