WESTBOROUGH – Calm under pressure, unflappable, and dedicated are just a few of the ways Library Director Maureen Amyot describes Mary Johnston, the current chair of the Westborough Public Library Board of Trustees. On Saturday, October 21, Johnston was recognized as the Massachusetts Library Trustee of the Year by the Massachusetts Library Trustees Association (MLTA), for embodying those traits.
Every year, the MLTA seeks nominations of individuals serving as Trustees who have provided outstanding leadership, distinguished service, and/or exceptional commitment to their library or to libraries on a local, regional or national level. This year there were 15 nominees from libraries of all sizes across the state. Johnston was selected as the winner for her steadfast support of the library staff after Town Meeting defeated a library renovation project, her joy at spreading the library message, and her willingness to pitch in to help with special events, sometimes with very short notice.
“When I saw the call for nominations, the description totally matched Mary,” commented Amyot. “She is someone who volunteers all over the community but kinda ‘flies under the radar’ and I really wanted her to be recognized for the work she does. She doesn’t do it for recognition or headlines – it comes from the heart, and that’s why I love working with her.”
Johnston has been a Library Trustee for six years, and volunteers with multiple organizations in Westborough including sports, school parent groups, and scouts, in addition to her role as an elected Library Trustee.