ALLENSTOWN - The building may be small, the space limited, but Allenstown’s new library director plans to help you find a world of information.

This is just one of the many goals set by Amber Cushing, who became director of the Allenstown Public Library on Aug. 20.

Prior to this position, Cushing was a reference librarian at the New Hampshire State Library in Concord. Originally from Concord, she has a bachelor’s degree in history from Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, Mass.; a master’s degree in library and information science from Simmons College in Boston; and most recently earned a Ph.D. from the School of Information and Library Science at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.

Helping library users deal with the crush of information in the digital age is one of Cushing’s goals. One of the ambitious new services being offered at the library will help people do just that.
“One of the big things I’ve just piloted is information consulting,” said Cushing.

People will be able to put her expertise to work researching a wide range of subjects.

“Individuals can make an appointment and I’ll help them with anything associated to information, from building a website, searching the Internet, finding a job, to learning how to use an iPad,” said Cushing. “This is a lot of what my Ph.D. work was looking at – information management.”

Anyone who visits the Allenstown Public Library would agree it’s one of the smaller ones in the state. Cushing is also trying to make better use of the limited space she has to work with, studying what books are being checked out and which aren’t.

“I’m weeding the entire collection,” said Cushing. Books that have not circulated in years will be moved into storage in the basement to make room for newer titles.

“That will really free up space up here so we can highlight things like new books and different genres” she said.

Other changes at the library include a new sign out front and a new circulation desk.

Cushing also has a strong interest in fitness. She has been an amateur triathlete since 2009, and has competed in two athletic events this year in North Carolina.

Currently Cushing works 24 hours a week as director, earning $15.50 an hour. The Allenstown Public Library is also looking to fill a part-time library assistant position. For job details, contact Cushing at the library or visit the library website at allenstownlibrary.org.