COURTESY PHOTOS
Herrick Wales and Ellen Winkler.
By GAYLA CAWLEY
SWAMPSCOTT — Re-election for the chairman of the Library Trustees may not come easily, as Herrick Wales faces a challenge from the president of a well-known local library group.
Wales, chairman of the Library Trustees, is running for a second three-year term against Ellen Winkler, an attorney in Marblehead, and president of Friends of the Swampscott Public Library. This is her first time running for an elected position.
The local election is April 25. Candidates had until March 7 to return nomination papers, and both candidates will appear on the ballot, according to Town Clerk Susan Duplin.
The Library Trustees is made up of three members, along with Library Director Alyce Deveau.
The Swampscott Public Library is in the midst of its yearlong centennial celebrations. The building on Burrill Street turned 100 on Jan. 20 and both candidates said it is an exciting time for the library.
“It’s been busy, but also incredibly exciting,” Wales said. “The library is such an important gem to our community.”
Wales, 51, said the trustees and Deveau meet monthly to talk about expanding programs and events for the community. Ways to expand the library are also discussed, along with how to redesign library space, with a long-term goal of renovation and expansion.
If reelected, he said that’s where his focus would continue to be. He said the goal is to turn the library into a vibrant community center, and not just a way to gather information, and to make the building more accessible.
“I think we really like to think of ways to move forward and keep our library on the forefront of the community,” Wales said.
Wales has been a schoolteacher for 17 years, and has taught in Marblehead for 16 of those. He is a special education teacher at Village School, and has a master’s degree in education from Salem State University, with a focus on K-8 special education. His bachelor’s degree in history, with a minor in Spanish, is from Colby College.
Wales has been married to Susan for 20 years. They have two children, Harry and Liam, who attend Swampscott Public Schools.
“I think any candidate would be a great candidate,” he said. “With my background and experience in education, and my commitment to education, I think I bring great qualities to the table.”
Winkler, 62, has been president of the friends group, which finances library programs and is funding the centennial celebrations, for 10 years.
“So, the library is a very important thing to me,” Winkler said. “It’s near and dear to my heart. This year is the library’s 100th birthday and we’ve been working really closely with the trustees and other people in the community for celebrations throughout the year. So, it’s really focused me on what the library needs for the future and thinking about what I need to do to contribute to that.”
Winkler said there needs to be a focus on how the space is used in the library, and how to improve that space to get the most community benefit out of it. She said there should also be thoughts on the library in the future, and how to go forward now that people read ebooks more.
“I really think that the library is really the heart of the town,” Winkler said. “It’s a true community center. It’s important to focus on it and get the most we can out of it. It’s up to the trustees to lead the way on that.”
Winkler has been married to Art McLeod for more than 30 years. The couple has two daughters, Hannah and Sarah, who both graduated from Swampscott High School.
She received her undergraduate degree in Art Education from Kutztown State College, now Kutztown University, in Pennsylvania, and her law degree from Northeastern University.
“I think I bring a lot of experience and a new perspective, and I think that would be helpful,” Winkler said. “I’m very passionate about the library.”
Gayla Cawley can be reached at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @GaylaCawley.