Savannah Fields fondly remembers spending time with her mom in museums and her local library growing up in Southern Maine. “It was always a grounding space,” Savannah recalls, “my friends and I also gravitated towards the library after school as we grew more independent. It is probably where my love for community spaces began.”

Fields grew up in South Portland and earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Arts Administration and English in 2019 from Stonehill College in North Easton, MA. She spent an unforgettable semester studying at the prestigious Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland, making great use of their libraries and study spaces to tackle her difficult course load. “The history there was inspiring,” Savannah says, “I’d do it all again in a heartbeat!”

“When I returned from Ireland, I was lucky enough to get a job working at the Portland Museum of Art, where I had spent so much of my youth. My focus was on events, but as my time there coincided with the pandemic, we had to get more creative with limited capacity and virtual experiences,” she said. “It was a challenge, but one that has  made me more flexible overall and helped me think outside of the box.”

Fields and her boyfriend, Owen Sterrs, a Lincoln County native, moved back to the Boothbay Region a couple of years ago and are enjoying the pace and being a part of a tight-knit community. Fields worked at First National Bank when they first came to town and then as an Ed Tech at BRES.  It probably isn’t coincidental that Owen’s mother Diane Dorbin worked at BHML for several years, as well as their close family friend, Mary Pinkham, who served as the Children’s Librarian for nearly three decades. “So I know just how special our Library is!”she said.

Savannah is Boothbay Harbor Memorial Library’s first development manager and has joined the team to handle all areas of fundraising and development.  BHML is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and needs to raise over $150,000 each year to supplement town appropriations from Boothbay and Boothbay Harbor. To meet this annual goal, funds are raised through our Annual Appeal. In an ever competitive fundraising landscape, it became clear that BHML needed to focus on expanding development for long-term sustainability. 

“It’s a hugely important position to sustain the future of the library,” Executive Director Joanna Breen says “It’s through the generosity of our donors, who provide over 40% of our operating funds, that we are able to offer our robust collection and programs, and maintain this iconic building in the center of town. In her short time here Savannah has already demonstrated her professionalism and commitment to nurturing a culture of philanthropy to support this distinct, and historic, community asset.  She brings an excellent perspective and passion to our operation.”

Field's focus will be on donor cultivation and stewardship, planned giving, large gifts, and supporting the long-term work towards building improvements and accessibility upgrades. 

“This Library has a bright future ahead. Regardless of the delivery method, people will always need stories and information,” Savannah adds in closing, “This is a community hub that continues to unite people.”

Boothbay Harbor Memorial Library, 4 Oak Street, Boothbay Harbor, ME 04538. (207) 633-3112