A Massachusetts native with a passion for books and Maine is the Boothbay Harbor Memorial Library’s new assistant director. Joanna Breen began her new job in September. Her primary responsibility is running the circulation desk. Breen believes in time her role within the library will expand.

“I just started so I’m sure I will be more involved. I’m mostly checking books in and out,” Breen said. “This winter, I’ll be working on a project updating our collection.”

Breen is from Cambridge, Massachusetts. She graduated from the College of Santa Fe in New Mexico with a degree in documentary studies. Breen has a Master of Science degree in library information science. She previously worked at the Belmont Public Library in Massachusetts.

Breen applied for the Boothbay Harbor position after reviewing job openings on the Maine State Library website. Breen has several friends in the Portland area. She also remembers visiting the Boothbay region as a child.

“I looked on the website for a job because I love Maine. And I wanted to spend more time here,” she said.

As an assistant librarian, Breen has access to thousands of great books. She is currently reading “The Ingenious Gentleman Don Quixote of La Mancha,” a Spanish novel written in 1605 by Miguel de Cervantes.

“I’ve started a couple of novels including Don Quixote. I felt it was something I should read,” Breen said. “It’s considered the first modern novel. I’ve heard about the character for years, but now I’m learning about him from the primary source.”

As assistant librarian, Breen said “Make Me,” a novel written by Lee Fields, is one of the most popular books being checked out at the library.