Ruth Winett Seeks Re-Election As Framingham Library Trustee

In full transparency, the following was submitted to SOURCE media, as per the digital news media outlet’s election guide.

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FRAMINGHAM – I would like to be re-elected to the Board of Trustees to continue to provide oversight and help shape policy for this vital Framingham institution. To me, the Framingham Public Library is what sociologist Ray Oldenburg calls a “third place.” It’s not home or work, but a place where people learn, enjoy themselves, and get together with others.

During the pandemic our library has provided a lifeline for people unable to access the institutions and services they usually access. I am proud of the services the library has provided, such as providing curbside pickup of books, distributing thousands of masks, and providing telephone support about city services. In addition the library has been providing COVID
information and also providing dozens of virtual programs for all ages.

If re-elected, my first goal is to help the library recover from the impact of the pandemic. Other goals for both libraries are to increase diversity in library staff and on the board of trustees and also among library patrons. We need to bring more millennials (people in their 20’s and 30’s) and more patrons from our diverse communities to our two libraries. Other goals are to offer a wider range of services to young children; to complete work on the teen room; and to help people become computer/digital literate. In addition, I will continue to advocate for the library at City Council meetings and in the community.

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Experience with the FPL: I am the current chair of the Trustees and have been a trustee since 2006. I was also chair ten years ago, when the Library came to Town Meeting and requested approval to build a new McAuliffe Library, sought approval of the plans, and requested the funds to complete the project. In addition, as president of the Framingham Public Library Foundation (FPLF) I helped raise over $600,000 to offset the $4.6 million that was the Town’s share of the cost of the project. The FPLF also raised money to buy the Bookmobile, create a Makerspace, and recently build a Teen Room.

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Background: I am a longtime Framingham resident whose daughters Barbara Richman, Rachel Lamont, and Carol Perlman and three of our grandchildren have all attended Framingham schools. My husband, Joel, was a longtime town Meeting Member and Town Moderator. Earlier I was Chair of the Framingham Youth Commission, Brophy PTO vice-president, a member of the Town-wide PTO, and a co-founder of Framingham Residents for Enlightened Education (FREE). I am the principal of a marketing consulting business.

Previously I was an instructor at Lesley College, Framingham State College, and Babson College. I received a BA degree from the University of Pennsylvania, an MAT degree from Harvard University, and an MBA from Babson College.

The Library is on an exciting trajectory, and I want to continue to set priorities, provide guidance to the staff, and be a community advocate for the library of the future. I would appreciate your vote.