Dear Friends and Neighbors,

My name is Kari McHugh and I am running for Library Trustee.

My husband and I live on St. Mary’s Road with our two children Michael and Brooke. We are very active in the community and love the library.

Though many see the library as a place to check out books it is much more. Movies, puzzles, classes, and programs are just the beginning –  it is a true center of the Milton community.

The library is free, it is free to everyone and in this simple concept I believe that we have the opportunity to enrich the lives of many. The opportunity to bring support and knowledge to those children, families and elderly that may not have enough at home.

Understanding ways to increase access is not something that can be done in a meeting – it takes reaching into the community to understand the need. It requires working across organization, building resources and understanding best practices.

I have 20 years of experience as a corporate executive, currently as a Director at Dunkin’ Brands.  In addition to the business side of corporations I spent many years focused on corporate philanthropy building public and private partnerships. In Milton I currently serve on the Tucker Site Council, the Board of the Milton Foundation for Education and was a board member at Compass for Kids for more than 10. I know how to build teams, solve complex problems and prioritize.

Creating a quiet and reflective space balanced with a location that welcomes a gaggle of middle schoolers is a perfect example of a complex problem that needs a creative solution. Parking issues is another area that will require creativity – creating more places to park is only one piece of the puzzle. Are their ways to reduce the need for parking?  What about having a drive up drop box for returning books? Could this be created at the library AND other locations in town?

I believe in the libraries mission statement which in part reads, “The Milton Public Library enriches the community by connecting people to the world of ideas, information, and imagination to support their work, education and personal growth.”

There are very strong candidates running for Library Trustee but it is critical that the Trustees represent the key constituencies and currently parents of young children are underrepresented.

Please consider casting your vote for me, I promise to bring a leadership spirit and a commitment to give my time, energy and attention to ensure that the library is on the forefront of what makes Milton one of the best places to live in America for the years and generations to come.

Sincerely,

Kari McHugh