Why do you want to serve on the Board of Library Trustees?
When my family and I moved to Watertown two and a half years ago, the library immediately made us feel at home. We’ve read hundreds of books, used countless library resources, made new friends, and consulted with librarians. The library is the heart of our community here, and when I learned that there were going to be open spots on the board, I wanted to do my part to help an institution that I love to grow and prosper.
Tell voters about your background and qualifications for being a Library Trustee.
As a parent who has attended an absurd number of library events, I’ve seen firsthand how vital our library is, as a source of support, education, and resources of every kind. As an independent novelist, I’ve been running my own business for years now, and I’ve become familiar with budgeting and balancing short-term and long-term goals. More importantly, I recognize that the Board of Library Trustees and the Watertown Free Public Library face complex planning and budgetary challenges that long predate my arrival in the town, and I know the importance of listening and learning from those with more institutional knowledge instead of pushing for big, immediate changes just to make my mark.
How can the Watertown Library better serve residents of Watertown?
We are so fortunate to have a fantastic library here in Watertown, with resources, services, and programs other libraries would be lucky to have. I don’t believe we need a dramatic shakeup; instead, we need to carefully protect what we have while seizing opportunities to expand the library’s flagship programs and build new community partnerships.
The Library may face funding issues in coming months and years. How can the library maintain and even add services in difficult economic times?
Responding to economic challenges is always a matter of prioritization. Seeking out new grants and funding sources can ease the problem, whenever possible, but when hard choices have to be made, that’s when the library needs to focus most carefully on the town’s core needs. Fundamentally, that means listening to the community to determine what patrons need the most.
Looking at recent events when a group of residents had a disagreement about the Watertown Summer Reading list, and said they did not feel like there was a way to be heard by the Library — do you think the Library administration and Board of Trustees handled the issue appropriately, and would you like to see similar issues handled differently if they arise in the future?
The library and the trustees handled the disagreement about the summer reading list well. They solicited public feedback and listened to the community’s concerns while standing by the well-trained, professional library staff. Ultimately, the library has a legal and ethical obligation to maintain intellectual freedom, and part of that obligation is to resist pressure to restrict, remove, or disavow materials because of any one group’s disapproval. Holding ourselves to these high standards avoids setting a dangerous precedent and also enables the library to create a rich and diverse collection that represents all of us.
During your campaign, what was the biggest issue or concern for voters when you spoke to them about the Library?
Aside from parking, which I’ve gathered is almost entirely out of the hands of the library or the trustees, the Hatch Makerspace has been the biggest focus of most of the people I’ve spoken with. Many people wish it were closer to or more integrated with the library, and almost everyone who has used it had concerns about closures and complications due to its current location. Everyone wished for more! More hours, more space, more resources. Of course, this has to be balanced with other library programs and facilities, but it’s clear the community loves the Hatch Makerspace and would welcome its expansion.