Meet the Candidate: Anne Erickson for Simsbury Public Library Board of Trustees

Republican Anne Erickson is seeking re-election to the Simsbury Public Library Board of Trustees. 

Education

University of Connecticut, Long Term Care Certification

University of Vermont, MS

Brooklyn College, MA

Marymount College, BA

Work Experience

Nursing Home Administrator, Seabury Retirement Community

Nursing Home Administrator, Apple Health Care

Meals-On-Wheels Coordinator, The McLean Home

Special Education Teacher, Simsbury Public Schools

What experience do you bring to the table?

During my tenure on the Simsbury Public Library Board of Trustees, I helped secure two $500,000 state grants with matching funds pledged by the Friends of the Library. The Expansion and Renovation Project received approval from the appropriate town boards and from the citizens at a town-wide referendum in May of 2006. The entire project was completed on schedule and under budget. I served on the Interior Design Task Force which was charged with ensuring a library that Simsbury residents would be proud of and enjoy. I was Corresponding Secretary from 1998-2112 and have been a member of both the Finance Committee and the Library Director Search Committee. Most recently, the Library Board was able to work with the Board of Selectmen to restore previously cut hours of operation which Simsbury residents told us they wanted.

Additionally, I was an active member of the PTO at Tootin Hills and served as Co-President and Vice-President of the PTO for 4 years. I have also been a member of the town-wide Cultural Enrichment Committee and served on the Simsbury Arts Council, which founded and produced the popular "Opening Night" (presently known as "Simsbury Celebrates").

Why are you seeking office?

Looking towards the future of the library, areas in which I will focus include upgrading technology, maintaining the excellence of the Business Resource Center, improving the web site, developing e-book collections, and implementing on-line classes for library users. I want to continue to work hard for the Simsbury Public Library in order for the library to continue as the first stop for any and all needed information in the community. 

What do you feel is the town's most pressing issue?

It is my goal to continue to work within the town budget constraints during these difficult financial times to ensure that the library continues to be the center of learning and excellence that it currently is. Bringing residents of all ages into the downtown area, the Simsbury Public Library is an integral part of the continuing growth and development of the town center. 

What do you love most about the town?

I truly appreciate and am proud of Simsbury's protection of its charm and character, its spirit of volunteerism, its preservation of open space, and its  unswerving commitment to the library and learning in these difficult financial times.

What do you like to do for fun?

I like to quietly photograph the various wildlife - deer, ducklings, wild turkeys and even the occasional bear - that intermittently pass thru my backyard.

How can residents keep up with you?

Even though we're in the age of social media, I still appreciate the personal touch, the personal phone call. I can be reached at (860) 658-4694.