Born in Jena, Germany, Martina and her family came to America when she was 9, not speaking a word of English. It was the local library that enabled and excited her to learn the English language. Her language degree from Montclair University and further studies in computer science at Duke University has inspired others throughout her teaching career. She has taught the German language on many levels, from elementary through college and on to include the 513th Military Intelligence Brigade via satellite to the Monterey Language School in California and in Princeton, NJ.

After retiring from teaching, she and her husband, Bruce, came to Maine for “the way life should be”. The sailing, kayaking, cross country skiing and hiking took up most of their days. The quiet life was however not to be, as her interests in music and the arts brought her to the Bagaduce Music Library. Beginning as Pops manager and returning as executive director of the music library, she was able to move the whole music collection from their overstuffed red barn to a brand new campus on South Street in Blue Hill.

She looks forward to using that same dedication to continuing to expand and build the vitally important Blue Hill Library community.