Two Trustees Elected to APL Board

June 17, 2020 | Library News

Albany voters selected two trustees — Brigitte Pryor and Thomas McCarthy Jr. — for the Albany Public Library (APL) board in the June 9 election, which was conducted via absentee ballot by the City School District of Albany. The district began counting the more than 10,700 ballots on June 16, as called for in the governor’s executive order. The counting concluded and the vote was certified by the district clerk on June 17.

“The board wants to thank everyone who chose to run for library trustee this year. We had a great slate of candidates who are committed to library services in this city,” said Board President Karen Strong.

“My fellow trustees and I look forward to working with Brigitte Pryor and Thomas McCarthy Jr. to ensure that Albany Public Library provides services, resources, programs, and information for everyone in our community. We are guiding a library system in challenging times, and right now that means diligently exploring different ways to meet people’s needs while preparing to welcome patrons back into our buildings over the next few months,” Strong said.

The vote place order and totals were:
1.  Brigitte Pryor                      3,073
2.  Thomas McCarthy Jr.      3,023
3.  Donna Dixon                             2,849
4.  Katherine McNamara              2,552
5.  Jessica Balarin                          2,416
6.  Kewsi Burgess                           1,851
7.  James Munro                             1,108
8.  Jeffrey Keller                                923

Pryor and McCarthy will serve full five-year terms that begin on July 1, 2020. This is Pryor’s first term on the library board. McCarthy is currently serving a one-year term that concludes at the end of June.

The next APL Board of Trustees meeting is Tuesday, July 14, at 6 pm. The meeting will be livestreamed on YouTube, and recorded for later viewing.

Stephanie Simon

Stephanie Simon is manager of APL's Communication and Creative Services Department, which provides content and information for the library's website, social media, publications, videos, podcasts, and other outlets. Stephanie also manages APL's public relations and marketing efforts.