“Local bookseller and lifelong Reading resident earns joint appointment after interviews with Select Board and Library Trustees“
On July 14th, the Reading Select Board and Board of Library Trustees voted to appoint Brenna Sullivan to fill the vacancy on the Board of Library Trustees. The seat was left open after longtime volunteer Andrew Grimes moved out of town. The appointment followed a joint interview and voting process that also included candidate Jason Clark.
The appointment process brought together members of both boards, who interviewed the two candidates before conducting separate roll-call votes. Library Trustees Chair Christian “Cappy” Popp outlined the responsibilities of the position at the start of the meeting, noting that trustees are responsible for policy oversight, budget stewardship, long-range planning, and advocacy for the Reading Public Library. All candidates were asked the same set of questions to ensure a fair and consistent evaluation process.
Both candidates brought different backgrounds and perspectives to the interview process.
Jason Clark highlighted his experience as a Town Meeting member, former member of the Bylaw Committee, and resource sharing manager at Harvard College Library. He emphasized his professional experience managing library operations and budgets, along with his family’s extensive use of Reading’s library services.
Brenna Sullivan, a lifelong Reading resident and bookseller at Whitelam Books, spoke about her connections to local families through her work and her experience as a nanny. She described the library as a central community resource and said her interactions with parents, children, and readers throughout town would help inform her perspective as a trustee.
During the interviews, board members asked candidates about the most important services the library provides, fiscal management during challenging budget conditions, trustee responsibilities, and how they would approach sensitive issues such as challenges to library materials.
Both candidates described the library as a critical community resource that provides free access to information, programming, and gathering space for residents. Sullivan stressed the importance of children’s literacy programming and accessibility, while Clark emphasized the library’s role as a community hub and source of information that serves residents of all ages.
When questioned about potential budget constraints amid ongoing discussions about town finances, both candidates acknowledged that difficult decisions could be necessary. Sullivan said she would work to understand the budget and prioritize maintaining broad community access to library services. Clark pointed to his experience managing budgets and improving operational efficiency in academic libraries, saying he would look for opportunities to reduce costs without sacrificing service whenever possible.
The candidates also addressed the role of elected trustees. Sullivan said trustees should support professional library staff while ensuring community voices are represented in policy decisions. Clark similarly described the position as one focused on governance and oversight rather than day-to-day management.
A discussion regarding challenges to library materials prompted both candidates to express support for intellectual freedom and confidence in professional librarians’ expertise. Sullivan voiced opposition to book banning, while Clark said collection decisions should remain grounded in professional standards and established review processes.
Following the interviews, both candidates were formally nominated. Members of the Select Board and Library Trustees noted that the decision was difficult because of the qualifications each candidate brought to the process. Trustees and board members praised Clark’s library management experience and technical expertise while also highlighting Sullivan’s connections to Reading families and her perspective as a younger resident active in the community.
When voting concluded, Brenna Sullivan received unanimous support from the Board of Library Trustees and majority support from the Select Board, securing the appointment. Jason Clark did not receive enough votes from either body to be appointed.
The meeting concluded with members of both boards thanking both applicants for their willingness to serve and participate in the public process. Several speakers noted that Reading benefits from residents who step forward for volunteer leadership roles and emphasized that both candidates demonstrated a strong commitment to the library and the community.
