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This April, Burlington's Board of Library Trustees will turn to a fresh page as the town election brings leadership changes. Hiral Gandhi is running uncontested to fill the seat currently held by Phil Gallagher, returning to the Board after three years away from the role.

Gandhi grew up as a voracious reader in nearby Waltham and serves as Director of Finance and Operations for the Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization.

Her path to public service in Burlington began through her involvement with the Friends of the Library, where she served as Board treasurer for several years. In 2018, she decided to run for the Board of Library Trustees, viewing the role “as a way to give back to the community and get to know people." She served until 2023, when her term expired and she did not seek re-election.

"I believe in creating opportunities for new members to bring fresh ideas," said Gandhi, adding, that stepping away allowed her to "focus on other commitments."

This time around, with name recognition and encouragement from the Board's current leadership, Gandhi felt it was the right time to rejoin the Trustees and support their efforts to set vision, policy, and budget for Burlington's very active public library. She gathered the required 50 signatures from Burlington residents to qualify for placement on the ballot and said she's proud of the support she received from the town.

The opportunity to represent the community — particularly as an Indian American woman and a mother — is a meaningful one for Gandhi, who hopes to ensure that parents, Indian residents and other underrepresented groups feel heard in local decision-making.

Gandhi said the Board’s main responsibility is to serve as a “good advocate for the community.” Trustees raise concerns, needs, and ideas during Board meetings with the goal of improving the library and its services. The Board also works to secure funding, collaborate with community organizations, and ensure library decisions reflect the values of Burlington residents. Gandhi said civic engagement — including researching candidates and voting — is an important way for residents to influence that important relationship, and she encourages others to become involved in local government and says she hopes to continue representing “the community as a whole.”

Gandhi will step into a seat vacated by Phil Gallagher. Gallagher, who has spent 48 years in local government – many of them on the six-member Library Board of Trustees – plans to step down this spring.

Gallagher said that libraries face new challenges in an era of digital media. With e-books, Kindles and online resources widely available, he said libraries no longer attract young people solely through printed books.

Gandhi agrees that libraries have evolved. “People think libraries are just books,” she said. “They’re so much more.” Today’s libraries offer electronics, book clubs, classes, and community events. Gandhi said the library must continue expanding these programs for all age groups to keep residents engaged and encourage them to return to the library.

Gallagher expressed confidence in Gandhi’s leadership. “Hiral will be a great Trustee,” he said. “She has a lot of experience.”

Still, the library’s success depends on more than the Trustees alone. Administrators, desk staff, reference librarians and programming coordinators all contribute to making the library a welcoming and educational space for the community.

Library Director Michael Wick said the upcoming transition should not signal major changes for the Board. “Turnover among Trustees doesn’t indicate an intentional shift in goals or a sign of changes to come,” Wick said. Instead, Board members and library staff see Gandhi’s arrival as a continuation of the library’s current mission  and a steady voice for Burlington residents.

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Callie Trachtenberg is a student at Endicott College studying journalism. This story was published in partnership with the Massachusetts News Service.

Visit the Burlington Buzz Election Corner for updates on all candidates and races in the April 11 local election.

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