Bethlehem resident: 23 years
Occupation
Science journalist
Community service/volunteer work
• Current: Preserve steward for Mohawk Hudson Land Conservancy; Tutor for ENGin, to help Ukrainians learn English.
• Previous: Served on the town’s Bicycle & Pedestrian Committee; Chaired the Science Fair at Hamagrael Elementary: Coached youth rec soccer at Bethlehem Soccer Club.
Additional details
I served on the board of my professional membership organization (National Association of Science Writers) for 10 years, including holding each executive officer position for 2 years: Secretary, Treasurer, Vice President, and President. My fellow board members and I had to talk through multiple paths and perspectives to create action plans aligned with our organization’s mission.
Experience and goals
What do you consider your most meaningful career accomplishment?
After working as a research scientist for 12 years, I made a successful transition into a second career as an independent science journalist, which I’ve done for 23 years now.
What skills do you bring to your tenure on the board?
As a journalist, I know how to identify expertise, research topics and processes, and synthesize such fact-finding into relevant conclusions and/or advice. In my previous board experience, I developed my capacity to listen, collaborate, and build consensus while keeping the organization’s mission as a guide.
What are your goals as a library board member?
I plan to immerse myself into the library’s issues, research possible solutions, listen and work jointly with fellow board members, and communicate with Bethlehem school district residents.
Views about libraries
How does a public library best serve its community?
Libraries offer free access to information and resources in many forms. They offer a physical space to read, write, study, tutor/be tutored; to attend storytimes, author talks, musical performances, lectures; and to run into neighbors you know and those you don’t.
What are the most important issues facing public libraries today?
Libraries are the best kind of public good, in that residents chip in (via the school & library tax) to provide its wonderful resources to all comers for free. Ongoing issues include building maintenance, funding, updating resources, and keeping the physical space welcoming and digital tools functioning.
How are public libraries changing? How can a library board expedite these changes?
Libraries help users stay informed about our changing world and need to be agile to meet community needs, such as building increasingly popular digital collections. Libraries fill the gap for various constituencies — a fun place for young children, study and tutoring space for teens, and programing for older adults.
How have libraries influenced your life?
I’m a reader, writer, and researcher and libraries have always helped me in these endeavors. I’m a parent, and the library has been a great and free(!) place to take my kids on a rainy day. I’m a curious person and I’ve benefitted from learning opportunities and community programs put on by the libraries of my life.
Views about this library
What do you like best about Bethlehem Public Library?
I love managing my borrowing online: reserving and renewing books and being reminded of due dates. I enjoy perusing the display shelves to find something unexpected or something specific — say gardening or poetry. I appreciate a quiet spot to get some work done. I like viewing the hallway art exhibits.
What is your vision for the future of this library?
I see our library as a friendly and free place for community members of all ages to engage in solitary pursuits, to meet for group activities, or to learn from others. This view, that the library is a community hub, seems purely obvious to me, but apparently it is a perspective that needs consistent advocacy.