When my husband and I were looking to move to this

area, one of our key criteria for choosing a place to live

was specifically the public library in each town.  Our

daughter was going in to the first grade, and we knew

the importance of that library as a factor in her access

to a wide variety of quality materials to inform her and

broaden her knowledge. We knew that we wanted to

live in a community where learning was valued, both for

her and for ourselves. Canton’s Public Library has always

been a steady champion of education, and was a factor in our choice of Canton as a place to live. 

 

I currently serve as a Trustee of the Library, and as Publicity Chair of “The Next Chapter” capital campaign, raising funds to address repairs and renovations which are critical to the library’s physical plant.  More information about “The Next Chapter” is available at https://library.canton.ma.us/582/The-Next-Chapter

I hold a Bachelors of Arts degree in Spanish with a minor in Portuguese from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. I taught Spanish and Portuguese at the secondary level for several years. I worked for the National Park Service as an interpretive ranger from 1990-2019, at Boston National Historical Park, Boston Harbor Islands National Park, and New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park, giving talks, tours, and training other staff. 

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I was elected to the Board of Trustees in 2013, and have also been a board member of the Friends of the Library for many years.  Since organizing the first Open Book Coffeehouse (sponsored by the Friends of the Library,) in 2006, I have been responsible for booking all of the performers each year, writing and sending out publicity, and coordinating volunteers to help run the coffeehouse.

In addition to volunteering for the library, I assist each week at the Canton Food Pantry, and serve on the boards of the Canton Historical Society and the Canton Historical Commission. 

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As the publicity chair of “The Next Chapter,” I would like to share how repairing and renovating the library is carried out. Most of us know that at our homes, we might obtain three quotes to fix the roof and then choose whomever we wish to do the work.  It’s a relatively easy and straightforward process. In the case of the library, however, the repairs and renovations must go through a town procedure of writing up a detailed scope of work, a request for quotes, and then identify funds to pay for the project. All of these steps must be carried out, as taxpayer funds are involved.  

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I am proud to have served this town as a trustee for the last twelve years, and respectfully ask for your vote in the April 8 town election.

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