To the Editor:
As director of the West Tisbury library, I am happy to see that there are citizens of our town who care enough about the library to consider running for library trustee. One of the things that makes our town great is the people who so generously volunteer on boards and committees. It was interesting to read each candidate’s reason for running, and learn a bit more about each person’s motivation.
I do, however, take exception with a sentence that one candidate wrote about the board of trustees and about my role as director of the library. Elaine Barnett wrote, “I have not yet had experience as a board member, so I am not privy to the machinations and long-range plans of the board or the director.”
All of the board meetings are posted and open to public. The board strives for transparency, and as elected officials, represent the community. The trustees welcome public participation, and they shape policy for the library in response to public input, as well as input from the director. There are no “machinations” of the board or the director. The library’s long-range plan took six months of information gathering, analysis, and reflection by a group of community volunteers, library staff, and the board of trustees. The strategic plan helps us set our goals and objectives for the next five years. The library files a long-range plan every five years with the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners, and an annual action plan each year in between. The plan is a public document, and helps the library move toward meeting our overall mission and vision. There are no private machinations and no private agenda. It is an open and hard-working board that cares deeply about the library and about our community.
Thank you again to all of the candidates who are running.
Beth Kramer, director
West Tisbury Free Public Library