Nina Fleming named outstanding library volunteer of the year

Recipient received replica of a wagon that helped ‘carry the load’

Oct. 19, 2026

By Staff

Nina Fleming holds a replica of the Radio Flyer wagon, used to cart books to and from the Book Nook, next to Ann Pladson (left) and librarian Rich Boulet (right). Photo courtesy of Friends of the Blue Hill Public Library.

BLUE HILL – On Oct. 1, the Friends of the Blue Hill Public Library presented its annual Elvira Bass Outstanding Volunteer Award to longtime library advocate Nina Fleming of East Blue Hill.

Fleming served on the library’s board of directors for nine years. During that time, she held roles as chair of its nominating and governance committees and as secretary. She has also been a member of the Friends of the Blue Hill Public Library since 2007, a group that supports and promotes the services of the library and raises funds for programs not covered by the library’s operating budget. 

A press release from the library said: “Fleming also has been an integral part of myriad library events and fundraisers, and has sorted and cleaned thousands of donated books and other media for sale at the library’s Book Nook.”

The Book Nook, which acts as a bookstore for used books, was launched in 2002 by Elvira Bass, a former volunteer. It has raised over $200,000 for library programs in the past decade.

“Elvira loved the library and, although many of us here tonight have spent countless hours volunteering, I’d venture to say that during those first years running the book sales, Elvira outdid us all,” said Ann Pladson, president of the Friends of the Library.

Fleming is the third Friends of the Library volunteer to receive the Elvira Bass Outstanding Volunteer Appreciation Award since it was created in 2024. The award is given each year to a volunteer who has demonstrated exemplary service to the Friends mission.

Fleming was presented with a small, mounted replica of the iconic Radio Flyer red wagon that Bass routinely used to cart donations to and from the Book Nook.

Bass’ wagon, which is still in use today, has special meaning for Fleming.

“Elvira Bass volunteered her Radio Flyer at the inception of the Book Nook in 2002. She was a brilliant and endlessly capable champion of the library, and the wagon is classic Elvira—practical, unpretentious, just right for the job. My own children rode in it when they were toddlers, helping Elvira sort books,” Fleming said. “If a FOL volunteer has ever had to lift, sort, decorate, or deliver something, you can bet the red wagon was there to help carry the load.”