HAMPTON -- The Lane Memorial Library has welcomed their newest Children's Librarian, just six months after filling the vacancy left when Cynthia Stosse left Hampton to serve as director of the Pembroke Public Library.

"No, we didn't make former Children's Librarian Marybeth Varney walk the plank at the end of our 'Treasure Reading' summer reading program," joked Lane Library Director, Catherine Redden in a statement released last week. "She jumped ship -- with our permission -- and swam back to Maine."

Varney, who came to the Lane Library from Millinocket, has returned to her Maine roots to pursue "a wonderful opportunity to start a new school library from the very beginning," said Redden.

A bit of admitted homesickness appears to have been one of the reasons Varney has moved back north.

"As she said, she had to leave the state [of Maine] to realize that she didn't want to," stated Redden. "Our loss is their gain. We will miss her."

However, added Redden, Varney's timing "was perfect. Our new catch to be the Head of Children's Services is Paulina Shadowens."

A recent graduate of the University of Rhode Island's Library School with a Masters Degree in Library and Information Studies, Shadowens is no stranger to the area.

"After traveling the Eastern seaboard with the Navy, her parents settled in New Hampshire and Paulina graduated from high school and attended the University of New Hampshire," explained Redden. "After working up and down the East Coast, Paulina obtained a Masters in English Literature, also at UNH."

Shadowens, said Redden, "finally realized that her love of literature, libraries, serving people and making a difference were all realized in one profession: Librarianship. Thus came her second master's program -- and our lucky day!"

In answering the call for a new director of Children's Services in Hampton, Shadowens apparently has fulfilled several requirements outlined in the "want ad" that Redden had posted online: "An even-tempered individual who must like children, be energetic, personable and knowledgeable in children's literature."

Additionally, Lane Library's newest staffer is responsible for handling an extensive list of tasks, not the least of which will be collection development and programming for the children's room, as well as continuing the important library-to-school connection that has grown over the last several years.

Redden invites kids and parents throughout the community to "stop in and welcome Paulina, not only to the library, but also to Hampton."

The Lane Memorial Library is located on Academy Avenue in Hampton. For more information, stop by the Children's Room or call (603) 926-4729.