I am a trustee of the Maynard Public Library, and I am intensely proud of my association with this beloved institution. As a historical researcher, libraries have been a cornerstone of my life for more than half a century. From grade school through college and graduate school to historical research, I have had the tremendous good fortune to research in libraries, large and small, public and private, and here and abroad. At every stop, I have had the pleasure of meeting some terrific people working at them: talented, interesting, unselfish, kind, and always ready to help. Maynard’s wonderful staff and director are among the very best I have met anywhere. Their matchless patience, creativity, and resourcefulness is inexhaustible, and, as we witnessed during the pandemic, they are unfailingly devoted to our diverse, and ever-diversifying, community. Without their support, my own researches into American history would not be nearly so fruitful. Libraries, I believe, are about community; they mirror the health and vitality of a community and they are fundamental to maintaining its vitality. They are indispensable to our democratic way of life. President Franklin D. Roosevelt said it best: “I have an unshakeable conviction that democracy can never be undermined if we maintain our library resources and a national intelligence capable of using them” (Franklin D. Roosevelt, letter to Herbert Putnam, March 28, 1939). Over the years, as the town has grown and changed, I have marvelled as Maynard’s Public Library has adapted to the new circumstances. It has truly become what it aims to be, a hub for “self-education, culture, recreation, and information for people of all ages.” (MPL website)

I love libraries! The library is the heart of my community. I am an avid visual and audio reader and always have multiple books on loan. I'm also an elementary teacher and have supplimented curriculum by borrowing beautiful picture books to help solidify concepts and ideas. The library has been a place to host Girl Scout meetings. My children have used the library as a space to study. I have also taught a class at the library thanks to funding from the funds of the Maynard Library.

The first thing I did when I moved to Maynard was to get a library card. As a new resident, the library was a source of welcome and respite. We love libraries for books and research, but we forget about all the other resources: help with job searches, language lessons, clubs, local author readings, community gatherings, and more! I love how this library has connected me and brought me into the community. A huge shoutout to the Maynard Library librarians: you are dedicated, engaged, and here to help!

Books and libraries have given my life so much joy and meaning. One of my core childhood memories was riding my bike with my brother to Woburn Public Library in the summer and checking out books and every musical the library had on offer (my favorite was My Fair Lady). As an adult, I live in Maynard and watch my nieces carry on the family love of reading and I also how much they love all the activities the library puts on for kids in the community. The pandemic introduced me to ebooks from Libby, which were so vital during that time, and I wouldn’t survive my daily 2 hour commute without audiobooks. Last summer, the library was a lifesaver after I had surgery and couldn’t walk for months. I read through the entire Neapolitan Quartet, I, Claudius, Pale Fire, Doctor Zhivago, a history of the Reformation, and so many other wonderful books during that time. Libraries are a vital, necessary, and essential part of my life and my community, and librarians do so so much unsung work in their communities, from showing people how to access things on the internet to providing a free space for parents to bring their children. There are so few community spaces around these days. Please help us preserve this one. We need it.