Westborough Candidate Statement – Library Trustees – Ciaran O’Donnell

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Westborough Candidate Statement – Library Trustees – Ciaran O’Donnell
Ciaran O’Donnell

First, say a little bit about yourself.

I was born in Scotland, and have lived in Canada and France. I arrived in California in 1995. What attracted me to the U.S. is that it is a land of, for, and by the people. I visited Massachusetts 40 years ago and discovered Westborough by working at Kopin. In 2017 I sold my house and moved there to finish my career and for retirement. I live in the Arrive Westborough apartments.

I’m fluent in French and English and have an OK Spanish. I have a Phd in computer engineering and work for a company that makes medical devices. I had two sons in France; Joseph died in 2006, Timothee just did his Ph.D. I belong to the Knights of Columbus Council 85 and fundraise for suicide prevention (AFSP, a cause I believe in). As a single person, I enjoy swimming and bicycling, dabble in watercolor and enjoy meeting others.

Why are you running for Library Board of Trustees?

Very honestly, I want to put the division in town on this issue in the rear-view mirror which means reaching a consensus. I have always been interested in politics and participated in the organization of the No revote at the last town meeting. A one-year position is a good place to start. I believe that a library trustee must advocate for the needs of the library and its users, and must also represent the interests of all those who vote and pay taxes.

I ran previously for the library board in 2016, and want to share my gifts as time frees up and I move towards retirement. I have had good experience with negotiating compromises in other areas and hope that this could be useful on the library board.

What do you think would be the best way to keep the library as a viable resource for years to come?

A lot has already been accomplished. I recently purchased a Chromebook. It has a 15-inch touch screen, has a 12-hour battery and weighs 2.5 pounds. The Santa Clara library had Chromebooks, and I think Westborough should have the same. Anything to educate and broaden horizons, especially children, would be fantastic. 

More access to paid databases would be helpful and librarians need to teach borrowers to better use search. More in-person interaction and dialogue and loans for audio-visual support for presentations would be great. (inside or outside the library).

I just saw a fascinating presentation on electric cars by the IEEE that was open to the public. 

My experience is that a library can be a great resource for the unemployed, the needy and people who cannot afford a connection to the Internet. The keywords are outreach, interconnection with professional societies and local groups, and sharing our mutual experiences.

With the defeat of the Town Meeting warrant article to expand and renovate the library, the Library Building Committee and the Trustees have switched their focus to repair work. What do you consider to be the “most needed” repairs.

From what I have read and from speaking to library staff, there is an urgent need to update the electrical wiring, plumbing, the restrooms, the heating system and the Internet connections. There are also repairs needed to the building structure, for example the roof. I think the first task is to allocate an adequate envelope of money for repairs in the 2023 year and to trust the library staff. I would prioritize actual repairs as opposed to spending money on consultants, and would support having another special town meeting should the selectmen call for it.

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