Why are you running?
People’s freedom to read what they want is now under attack, even in our town. I’d like to be part of the group that keeps the library a safe and open place, a resource where all the community can learn and exchange ideas openly. In other words, I’d like it to be what it was intended to be.
Our library was built in 1908, and is an important part of our heritage. It houses a variety of town facilities and valuable historical documents, and sees continuous use. It has weathered the years as gracefully as possible, but frankly, it now needs some work.
Prioritizing future expenditures will best be done by working with the library staff and friends of the library to fix what most needs to be fixed while deferring action on other items. In this way we can make sure our library will grow in a thoughtful and measured way that protects our existing investment, ensures continuation of valuable services, and prepares our kids and adults for the future. I’d like to be part of the team that does all that.
What are the three biggest issues facing Westborough Public Library?
Major concerns are: maintaining and improving the building’s infrastructure while long-range planning is being done to ensure needed, affordable growth; broadening the library’s outreach to all parts of our community, and by so doing delivering improved value; protecting the library and its contents from folks who, for whatever reason, want to keep books from the people who want to read them.
Our library is a landmark building that provides much-needed services and is a community treasure. It deserves our support.
With recent book challenges, what is your stance on book bans?
Book banning is a shameful way for others to limit the knowledge that you and your children can be exposed to. No one is forced to read any book in any library, nor should they be. Likewise, no one should ever be allowed to dictate what you and your family should be allowed to read. We could even make a case that, having books we disagree with often presents an opportunity for parents to do what is most important: parenting.
A free and open exchange of ideas has always been a fundamental part of this country, and has been one of the keys to our national success. Consider who the book banners and book burners have been in history, and how they are now remembered. Next, think of today’s self-appointed censors. Does Westborough really want to be categorized with groups such as the Taliban, Al-Kaida and The Proud Boys, and with people like Vladimir Putin? How will we be judged for that?
We must NEVER allow book bans to happen in our town.
Where would you like to see the library in the next five years?
Our library should continue to forge stronger bonds with other community services that Westborough provides. Of particular interest to me will be the way we reach out to our seniors and to our new arrivals, perhaps coordinating the library’s efforts with those of our senior and community centers to increase coordination of the programs we offer and the grants that we apply for.
What is your opinion on the proposed repair project at Westborough Public Library?
We must of course continue to repair faltering parts of the building as a means of protecting our current investment, but this is really only a series of stopgap measures being implemented until a long-term strategy can be finalized.
I see the library – along with Westborough’s school, police and fire departments — as the major contributors to both the value of the town as a whole and to individual property values. Because I believe that the library is an integral part of Westborough’s future, I will continue to support growth that is well planned, affordable, and can be shown to meet the needs of the library and those who use it.
What is your relevant experience to serve as a Trustee of the Public Library?
My life experience includes:
AB from Franklin & Marshall, graduate degree from Brandeis, advanced study at Colorado Tech, Bryn Mawr/Penn, Harvard, et al.
Work in education as a teacher, department head, adjunct college professor, and curriculum developer.
In addition, as a technologist I developed software, built strategic business and technology alliances with companies all over the world, wrote several books, was a columnist for a major industry publication, and authored a column that was subscribed to by 25,000 readers worldwide.
My wife of 55 years and I have been living in Westborough since 2001.
