Russell Carrier has received the 2022 Library Trustee of the Year award from the Massachusetts Library Trustee Association (MLTA). The award was presented to Mr Carrier at the MLTA annual meeting held at the Shrewsbury Public Library on Oct 22, 2022. Mr Carrier is in his 41st year as Trustee at the Forbes Library in Northampton where he has served as chair and board president for all of that time.
In the nomination, Mr Carrier was recognized for the many building improvements he has ushered through during his tenure leaving the historic 129 year old building in the best shape it has been in decades. He was also recognized for his recent initiatives to support equity, diversity, and inclusion at the library including diversifying the library’s permanent art collection to include works by artists identifying as Black Indigenous and People of Color. His careful stewardship of the library’s endowment and maintained focus on fiscal stability for the library was also recognized. This included being part of the formation in the 1980s of the Friends of Forbes Library that fundraises for the library.
In his acceptance speech, Mr. Carrier recognized that his successful record at the library is the result of a concerted effort of a team of people that includes the many board members, staff, Friends, volunteers, and other city officials that he has worked with over the years.
