As “one of the few places in town where someone can access throughout their entire life,” the Bedford Free Public Library is “the cornerstone of our community,” said Emily Prince, a candidate for the library Board of Trustees.
That means “the library goes far beyond the walls, and it’s critical for it to be open and available as much as possible.”
Prince, who is an attorney, has two young children, and first became involved with the Bedford Family Connection. Soon she was appointed to the town Energy and Sustainability Committee, and is now in her second term.
Prince also was a member of the Net Zero Advisory Council, which in 2018 with staff and a consultant developed a plan to reduce municipal greenhouse gas emissions by a state-mandated deadline.
“Now I am looking for another way to continue to be involved,” she said, “to use my experience and develop more.
“This is an exciting time to join the library trustees, as the five-year strategic plan will be addressed,” Prince pointed out. “That will involve focus groups and community outreach. I look forward to talking to the public and about what they would like to see.”
She noted that although the library’s proposed 2025 budget was submitted within the Finance Committee’s growth guideline, “there is a staffing shortage. That has been a real issue,” she said, resulting in occasional unscheduled closures. “We have to make sure we are devoting the appropriate amount of resources to salaries and supporting our professionals.”
Prince favors expanded programming targeting the range of the town’s demographics. Specifically, she would like to see the return of One Book, One Bedford when residents of all ages and backgrounds are reading and discussing the same book.
“I’ve been very impressed with the diversity in programs and hope it continues, Prince said. She added that the board also should continue to stay on top of and support advances in technology.
Prince stressed that the top priority for the building is the long-awaited upgrade of the heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning system, “so we can ensure continuous library service.”
Loading ...
