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Amy Newell, candidate for Brookline library trustee, emphasizes libraries as democratic infrastructure and urges more funding
Summary
In a TV interview on Brookline Interactive Group, library trustee candidate Amy Newell said libraries are ‘‘critical democratic infrastructure,’’ urged more local funding (she supports an override if necessary), praised new director Jill Mercurio for rebuilding staff morale, and highlighted outreach and collections as priorities.
Amy Newell, a candidate for one of four open seats on the Brookline Board of Library Trustees, told State Representative Tommy Vitolo on Brookline Interactive Group's TV on TV that she wants to protect and expand library services and funding as part of maintaining local civic life.
Newell framed libraries as "fundamentally a place where people are able to access information and resources and ideas," saying they support everything from job applications and ESL classes to community reading groups. "Libraries are this amazing, well‑used, beloved resource in Brookline," she said, calling them "critical to democracy." This was a central theme of her interview: positioning libraries as local infrastructure meriting investment.
Newell described her personal background — moving from Florida for college, living in Precinct 7 for her adult life and a 25‑year career in software engineering — as motivation for stepping up from town meeting to run town‑wide. She said a child’s volunteer work at a school library prompted deeper interest in library services and trustee responsibilities.
Addressing reported morale and turnover among library staff, Newell described a period of leadership transition and consulting work to diagnose problems. She praised the incoming director, saying, "everything I've seen of Jill Mercurio is that she is a very engaged leader," and said she would work to support Mercurio and rebuild staff engagement.
On resources and reach, Newell urged stronger outreach so residents better know what the system offers. She said Brookline's libraries have "the fourth highest circulation in the Commonwealth," a statistic she cited to illustrate heavy local use (this figure was stated by Newell in the interview and not independently verified in the program). She highlighted programming such as an April 7 event at the Coolidge Corner Library — described as an interview with Senator Cindy Creem and Representative Tommy Vitolo — as examples of the library's community role.
On funding, Newell said she would work to maintain current levels and seek increases. "Every dollar you pour into the libraries, you're really getting more than that dollar value out of ... both community value and economic value," she said, and added she supports a "robust override" if the town chooses that route.
Newell also raised concerns about the broader information ecosystem, warning that consolidation of streaming services and online misinformation make libraries and librarians increasingly important for reliable access and for preserving cultural content. She argued that trustee decisions about collection development and preservation will matter in that context.
The interview closed with Vitolo reminding viewers that the municipal election is Tuesday, May 5 and that voters may select four candidates for trustee; candidates serve three‑year terms. Newell's interview was part of a series of televised candidate conversations leading up to the town election.
