AMHERST — A professor emeritus of English and former dean of the College of Humanities and Fine Arts at the University of Massachusetts says she is ready to join the Jones Library trustees and learn more about the project to expand and renovate the building after being unanimously appointed to the board Monday.
In a 9-0 vote by the Select Board and four of the remaining five library trustees, Lee Edwards, of Wildwood Lane, was named to the vacant seat over Kitty Axelson-Berry, of Stony Hill Road.
The vacancy was created when Jonathan McCabe resigned in July.
After the vote, Edwards said she is prepared to collaborate with her new colleagues.
“I think the library building project is a challenging one,” Edwards said. “I look forward to learning about it on a granular level how this process is playing out.”
While members of the two boards, with only Michael Wolff absent, did not elaborate on the decision, in interviews Monday night with the candidates, Edwards appeared to be more supportive of the building project and the way trustees are making decisions.
Edwards said she has seen library projects in Wendell and Chapel Hill, North Carolina make a difference in those communities. “My main belief is the library needs this,” Edwards said.
Axelson-Berry, former editor-in-chief of the Valley Advocate and owner of Modern Memoirs, said she is not convinced current designs will win support from residents and users.
“I’m in favor of renovation and expansion in general, I’m not in favor of the current plan,” Axelson-Berry said.
Axelson-Berry said trustees should also better gauge public opinion, even if it leads to disagreement, and expressed concern that trustees are acting as a “rubber stamp” for Library Director Sharon Sharry.
“I dislike conflict intensely, but I’ve sometimes found myself embroiled in it,” Axelson-Berry said.
Edwards said trustees need to listen to residents, though they should also strive to build consensus and harmony.
“Generally, if you’re on a board, if it’s at all possible, the board members should try to work out some position in common,” Edwards said, adding that “in general, I’d much rather have peace than war.”
Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.
