Questionnaire response from Dennis Gaffney

1) Do you use the library? How often? What for?

As a father, a reader, and a professional writer, I use public libraries constantly. As a free-lance journalist, I use library databases, books, and magazines to research pieces I write for venues such as The New York Times, Mother Jones, and for PBS Web sites such as Antiques Roadshow and American Experience. I also use the library to borrow books for my book club, audiotapes for long drives, and DVDs for evening entertainment. I’m proud to say my daughter, now seven, has learned to read using library books.

2) Have you ever been involved in a union? What was your experience?

I am a member of the National Writers Union (NWU). I was also commissioned by New York State United Teachers (NYSUT), the statewide teachers’ union, to write a history of the modern New York State teachers’ union movement. The book, just published by SUNY Press, is called Teachers United. As a unionist (I also was a member in the union at WGBH, Boston’s public television station), I know first-hand that unions protect our rights and our incomes and give us places to grow as professionals. I believe that continued librarian involvement is essential in our library’s renaissance.

3) What do you like best about APL? What will you do to improve upon that?

I was impressed that our library leaders involved the community—neighborhood residents and librarians—so thoroughly in the Branch Improvement Plan. As a community activist—I am a parent leader at my daughter’s public school and an organizer of the Spring Spree, a celebration of New Scotland businesses—I will work to expand community use of the libraries and community involvement in programming.

4) What do you like least? What will you do to change that?

Teens, who make up about 25% of all library users, are underserved. We need to find ways to welcome teens into our libraries and expand programming for them. The teen rooms planned for each library will help do that.

5) What is your opinion of the Branch Improvement Plan?

I believe the plan is a wise and reasonable one born out of an open, democratic process. The branch rebuilding begins a long-overdue renaissance of Albany’s library system. I believe new branches will spur economic development, attract people to Albany, and serve as exciting community centers where we can meet, learn, and exchange ideas. What I liked most about the plan was the democratic process that led up to it.

6) Why do you want to be on the APL Board of Trustees?

I want to bring my skills as a leader, an activist, and a devoted library user to the job of rebuilding our city’s libraries. These are my goals: citizen input into library design; stronger programming, especially for teens; and keeping the rebuilding project on-budget.