By Tara Fischer
Staff Writer
Friends of the Ocean Pines library recognized the branch’s youth director this week as the “Staff Member of the Year.”
Angie DeMarco is pictured leading a youth activity.
received the award at a March 11 luncheon following two weeks of voting by library staff members. Jim Meckley, the president of the library support group, said that this process “means a lot to the winners and shows the respect of a ‘job well done’ by their peers.”
He said this recognition is based on a staff member’s performance throughout the year, the presentation of programs, helping to run the library smoothly, and, “above all, how easy and helpful they are to work with on a daily basis.”
DiMarco’s name will be placed on a plaque and she will be given a gift certificate from the Friends of the Ocean Pines Library.
“[DiMarco] is extremely popular and brings in new records of attendants on many of her creative and interesting programs,” Meckley said.
While DiMarco, who began her position at the Ocean Pines facility in December of 2023, could not attend due to unforeseen circumstances, colleagues only had glowing remarks about her work at the library.
“She has not been here that long, but she has made such a big impact with the youth programs here,” Harry Burkett, the library’s branch manager, said. “The numbers have risen since she’s been here. She is very high energy. Her story times are very entertaining. She is always trying to think of something new and creative and really knocks herself out to get the kids excited.”
DiMarco also facilitates STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) programs for the older children.
Burkett added that her spirit is most captivating to the Ocean Pines community, particularly to the youth whom she serves.
“What [DiMarco] doesn’t realize is that they’re coming for her,” the manager said. “Her energy and her kindness is infectious. On a typical story time, it’s not unusual to have, if you count the parents, 70 people in our large meeting room. She will have activities planned. She knows how to control a crowd that big by keeping them busy with activity stations. She has like five plates spinning at the same time.”
Burkett said that DiMarco’s commitment never seems to slow down. This was evident during the area’s most recent snowstorm, which saw five consecutive days off for Worcester County Public School children. On the Thursday afternoon that week, around 4:30 p.m., when word got out of another closure the following day, the manager said that DiMarco noted, ‘Wouldn’t it be neat to have a kids’ day off program tomorrow?’
According to Burkett, DiMarco advertised the event on Facebook and other social media channels, and the next day, over 90 people showed up.
“She got people excited,” the library branch manager said. “Above and beyond, she doesn’t resist a workload on herself to make it a great and special experience for the kids.”
Burkett said the Staff Member of the Year award began in 2009.
“[The staff’s] selections are so mature and unbiased,” the manager said. “I feel each year they choose the person who deserves it.”
The recipient is honored by the Friends of the Ocean Pines Library group.
The Friends of the Ocean Pines Library is a volunteer team that raises money to benefit the branch and its services and acts as advocates for the facility. According to the organization’s website, the group’s goal is to “maintain an association of persons interested in books and libraries, assist the library in developing programs to meet current community needs, assist in promoting knowledge of and participation in library programs, aid in providing funds to meet special library needs, provide a channel for individuals and organizations to express ideas and make suggestions for library use and services, and stimulate gifts of books, magazines, desirable collections, endowments, and bequests.”
The Staff Member of the Year Award highlights just some of the good that is being done at the library.
Meckley maintained that through the work of employees and volunteers, the spot not only issues books, DVDs, audio books, and CDs but is also a resource for periodicals, the use of copiers and printers, technical assistance, and a quiet place to read or study. Additionally, the facility offers venue space for meetings and events.
The Friends of the Ocean Pines Library boasts upcoming programs as it continues its mission of supporting the community resource. These include trivia contests on March 19 and April 9, a First Aid course in the spring, a Volunteer of the Year Award on April 15, the annual book sale at the end of July, and the constantly restocked free books always available in the lobby.