TRUSTEES OF THE WELLESLEY FREE LIBRARY
(2 seats available - 3 year term)
Trustees deal with the general oversight of all library services and policies. Through an ongoing planning process, they assess the Library’s needs and its role in town. They establish policies and procedures for the Library that reflect the needs of the community and which are consistent with national standards set by the American Library Association.
Trustees work with the Library Director to prepare a budget that will provide services to the community in a fiscally responsible way. Through the Director, they supervise library property and facilities that consist of a main library and two branches.
Q1. Wellesley has a greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) reduction goal, a Climate Action Plan, and the Resolution to Address the Impact of Climate Change (passed by Town Meeting in 2020). The 2020 resolution calls on all Town departments to incorporate GHG reductions into their regular planning and budgeting. What ideas do you have for lowering greenhouse gas emissions in library operations and capital projects?
Maria Gallow Ashbrook
A1) The Wellesley Free Library (WFL) is acting to lower greenhouse gas emissions. This commitment is important to me as a “former foot soldier” for Sustainable Wellesley. Over the years, I tagged gas leaks, supported communications for the new teardown bylaw, met with local business owners to transition them away from single-use plastic bags, staffed the Sustainable Wellesley display at July Jubilations and participated on the team that hosted a symposium at WFL on organic and healthy landscapes. I wholeheartedly support the following ways to lower greenhouse gas emissions. Some are already underway!
Library Buildings (Main Library and branches)
● Smart Building Technologies: The library works with the Facilities Management Department (FMD)
who uses smart building technologies to continuously monitor and optimize energy usage,
adjusting temperature and ventilation based on real-time conditions.
● Energy Audits: FMD regularly performs energy audits at the library to identify opportunities for
energy savings and implement changes based on audit results.
● Lighting: WFL worked with FMD on the recent LED light replacement project at the library,
including the garage.
Collections
● Library of Things: WFL’s Library of Things enables patrons to borrow, rather than purchase,
infrequently used, durable, or specialized items. This is a great example of reuse that helps reduce
waste and lower our carbon footprint. WFL needs to continue to build awareness of this non-
traditional collection opened in 2024 with promotion on its website and social media, WFL
Program Guide, and WFL Report to the Community.
● Digital Collections and Services: WFL promotes the use of digital materials (eBooks, audiobooks,
etc.) and virtual services to reduce the need for physical resources and minimize travel to the
library.
Landscaping
● WFL uses native plants that require less water, fertilizer and pesticides, reducing overall resource
consumption. In 2022, the library created a native plant garden that serves as a pollinator corridor
at the Fells branch. WFL should consider planting milkweed for pollinators at the Main Library and
Hills branch.
Transportation
● Bike racks: The Library offers its staff and patrons secure bike racks
● Public transport: The Library helps promote the use of Catch Connect, a curb-to-curb ride share
service that is run by the MetroWest Regional Transit Authority
● Electric Vehicles: The Library utilizes an electric van for its branch-to-branch and home delivery
program for home-bound patrons
Q2. How can the Wellesley Free Library help residents of different ages and interests learn about climate change and also help build local resilience to extreme weather events?
Maria Gallow Ashbrook
A2) WFL should continue to look for opportunities to work in partnership with groups such as Sustainable Wellesley, the Natural Resources Commission, the Climate Action Committee and Wellesley Conservation Land Trust, to engage our diverse base of patrons on climate change and resilience to weather events. Together, we can create a supportive environment that encourages active participation and fosters a sense of connectivity and collective responsibility toward sustainability.
Climate Change Education
● Host age-appropriate programs tailored to different age groups, such as interactive climate education
for children, and seminars and workshops for adults and seniors.
● Host a symposium featuring local experts, climate scientists and community leaders who can spark
more local climate action. Invite guest speakers, like highly regarded conservationist Doug Tallamay.
Doug was a keynote speaker at the Landscapes for Living Forum in 2017.
● Collaborate with Wellesley Green Teams when they are active in the Wellesley Middle School or High School, encouraging our teens to take ownership of sustainability efforts and contribute to local
resilience.
● Build and curate climate change-focused collections that include books, documentaries, research
articles and toolkits that span different age groups and interests.
● Create a dedicated book display on climate change on the first floor of the Main Library.
● Feature artwork showing the effects of climate change as part of the rotating art gallery in the James E. Mahoney Foyer and Wakelin Room in the Main Library
● Create a “green” space in the Children’s Room and branches for books and artwork
● Mark Earth Day on April 22 with a banner on the front of the Main Library.
Building Resilience to Weather Events
● Continue serving as a warming/cooling location during Library hours on hot days and a warming place during extreme cold snaps, providing a safe space for Wellesley residents vulnerable to heat and cold stress. This would be especially helpful for elderly residents and families with young children.
● Host disaster preparedness workshops focused on climate-related risks such as flooding and
hurricanes. These workshops can be hands-on and include practical demonstrations like building
personal emergency kits, creating family plans and providing tips on how to stay safe during heat
waves or snowstorms.
(2 seats available - 3 year term)
Trustees deal with the general oversight of all library services and policies. Through an ongoing planning process, they assess the Library’s needs and its role in town. They establish policies and procedures for the Library that reflect the needs of the community and which are consistent with national standards set by the American Library Association.
Trustees work with the Library Director to prepare a budget that will provide services to the community in a fiscally responsible way. Through the Director, they supervise library property and facilities that consist of a main library and two branches.
Q1. Wellesley has a greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) reduction goal, a Climate Action Plan, and the Resolution to Address the Impact of Climate Change (passed by Town Meeting in 2020). The 2020 resolution calls on all Town departments to incorporate GHG reductions into their regular planning and budgeting. What ideas do you have for lowering greenhouse gas emissions in library operations and capital projects?
Maria Gallow Ashbrook
A1) The Wellesley Free Library (WFL) is acting to lower greenhouse gas emissions. This commitment is important to me as a “former foot soldier” for Sustainable Wellesley. Over the years, I tagged gas leaks, supported communications for the new teardown bylaw, met with local business owners to transition them away from single-use plastic bags, staffed the Sustainable Wellesley display at July Jubilations and participated on the team that hosted a symposium at WFL on organic and healthy landscapes. I wholeheartedly support the following ways to lower greenhouse gas emissions. Some are already underway!
Library Buildings (Main Library and branches)
● Smart Building Technologies: The library works with the Facilities Management Department (FMD)
who uses smart building technologies to continuously monitor and optimize energy usage,
adjusting temperature and ventilation based on real-time conditions.
● Energy Audits: FMD regularly performs energy audits at the library to identify opportunities for
energy savings and implement changes based on audit results.
● Lighting: WFL worked with FMD on the recent LED light replacement project at the library,
including the garage.
Collections
● Library of Things: WFL’s Library of Things enables patrons to borrow, rather than purchase,
infrequently used, durable, or specialized items. This is a great example of reuse that helps reduce
waste and lower our carbon footprint. WFL needs to continue to build awareness of this non-
traditional collection opened in 2024 with promotion on its website and social media, WFL
Program Guide, and WFL Report to the Community.
● Digital Collections and Services: WFL promotes the use of digital materials (eBooks, audiobooks,
etc.) and virtual services to reduce the need for physical resources and minimize travel to the
library.
Landscaping
● WFL uses native plants that require less water, fertilizer and pesticides, reducing overall resource
consumption. In 2022, the library created a native plant garden that serves as a pollinator corridor
at the Fells branch. WFL should consider planting milkweed for pollinators at the Main Library and
Hills branch.
Transportation
● Bike racks: The Library offers its staff and patrons secure bike racks
● Public transport: The Library helps promote the use of Catch Connect, a curb-to-curb ride share
service that is run by the MetroWest Regional Transit Authority
● Electric Vehicles: The Library utilizes an electric van for its branch-to-branch and home delivery
program for home-bound patrons
Q2. How can the Wellesley Free Library help residents of different ages and interests learn about climate change and also help build local resilience to extreme weather events?
Maria Gallow Ashbrook
A2) WFL should continue to look for opportunities to work in partnership with groups such as Sustainable Wellesley, the Natural Resources Commission, the Climate Action Committee and Wellesley Conservation Land Trust, to engage our diverse base of patrons on climate change and resilience to weather events. Together, we can create a supportive environment that encourages active participation and fosters a sense of connectivity and collective responsibility toward sustainability.
Climate Change Education
● Host age-appropriate programs tailored to different age groups, such as interactive climate education
for children, and seminars and workshops for adults and seniors.
● Host a symposium featuring local experts, climate scientists and community leaders who can spark
more local climate action. Invite guest speakers, like highly regarded conservationist Doug Tallamay.
Doug was a keynote speaker at the Landscapes for Living Forum in 2017.
● Collaborate with Wellesley Green Teams when they are active in the Wellesley Middle School or High School, encouraging our teens to take ownership of sustainability efforts and contribute to local
resilience.
● Build and curate climate change-focused collections that include books, documentaries, research
articles and toolkits that span different age groups and interests.
● Create a dedicated book display on climate change on the first floor of the Main Library.
● Feature artwork showing the effects of climate change as part of the rotating art gallery in the James E. Mahoney Foyer and Wakelin Room in the Main Library
● Create a “green” space in the Children’s Room and branches for books and artwork
● Mark Earth Day on April 22 with a banner on the front of the Main Library.
Building Resilience to Weather Events
● Continue serving as a warming/cooling location during Library hours on hot days and a warming place during extreme cold snaps, providing a safe space for Wellesley residents vulnerable to heat and cold stress. This would be especially helpful for elderly residents and families with young children.
● Host disaster preparedness workshops focused on climate-related risks such as flooding and
hurricanes. These workshops can be hands-on and include practical demonstrations like building
personal emergency kits, creating family plans and providing tips on how to stay safe during heat
waves or snowstorms.