I’ve been a trustee of the Needham Free Public Library since July 2022 and Town Meeting Member (Precinct D) since April 2024. I’m an Olin College of Engineering professor with social science, design, and computing expertise, which I’ve already put to use in tackling my public responsibilities. I also have two kids in Needham public schools.
Needham’s library has a 2023–2027 strategic plan and a space utilization plan with four phases of construction, both of which I helped develop. The strategic plan emphasizes enhancing the library’s services to support our current patrons and growing our outreach to the whole community. I served as the user representative to the Permanent Public Building Committee during the efforts to develop our space utilization plan and the Phase 1 design plan for the new teen space the library will open during Spring 2026. Currently, I serve as the liaison to Library Foundation of Needham to strengthen the partnership between this important fundraising institution and the policy and advocacy work done by the Trustees.
Executing these efforts by employing the expertise and network I cultivated as a PPBC user representative and as Chair of the Trustees from April 2024–April 2025 will be crucial for the library’s ongoing success. I want to see this through as a re-elected Library Trustee.