Meet Your 2025 - 2026 Executive Board Slate

Don't miss out on the chance to make your voice heard by voting for NELA's 2025 - 206 Executive Board. All active NELA members have the opportunity to vote for the elected officers of NELA's Executive Board, and we are excited to announce our incredible 2025 - 2026 slate.

Voting Deadline: July 15th

TO CAST YOUR VOTE, PLEASE LOOK FOR THE OFFICIAL VOTING BALLOT FROM NELA'S QUESTIONPRO ACCOUNT.

Candidates for Vice-President/President Elect
Abigail Baines | Scott Brill
Candidates for Vice-Treasurer
Aaron Coutu | Kelly Linehan
Candidates for Member-at-Large
Persephone Costello | Allyson Frick | Amber Harvey | Ari Pappas | Reilly Scott | Alison Smith

Candidates for Vice-President/President Elect

Abigail Baines

Currently serving as the Library Director of the Erving Public Library in Erving, Massachusetts, Abby Baines brings a deep commitment to community engagement, equity, and inclusive programming. Her leadership in public and academic libraries is well-established—prior to her current role, she was Head of Public Services at Smith College Libraries, where she played a key role in launching the new Neilson Library.

Abby is no stranger to library leadership and advocacy. She is currently serving as the President of the Western Massachusetts Library Advocates (term ends October, 2025). In addition to her work with the Western Massachusetts Library Advocates, she has been actively involved in NELA, previously serving as Chair of the NETSL section and sharing her expertise by presenting on makerspaces and innovative technologies at NELA’s ITS section’s 2023 Virtual Conference, Future of Library Tech: AI to XR.

Beyond her professional roles, Abby is dedicated to fostering the next generation of librarians. As an adjunct professor at Simmons University in the school of Library and Information Science, she teaches courses such as Technology for Information Professionals and Web Development and Information Architecture, helping students build essential technical and critical thinking skills. Her approach is collaborative, creative, and forward-thinking—qualities that make her an outstanding leader.

Scott Brill

Scott Brill received his MLIS from University of North Carolina Greensboro, where he was selected by the faculty as the student commencement speaker for the LIS program. Scott served as the President of FLAG (Fairfield County Library Administrators Group) for two years and has previously served on the Connecticut Library Association Executive Board as Treasurer, CLA Conference Co-Chair, and served on both the NELA and CLA Boards most recently as the CT State Representative to NELA. Scott is currently the Library Director of the Milford Public Library in Milford, CT and was previously the Director of the Derby Public Library (Derby, CT) and Circulation Supervisor of the Huntington Branch Library in Shelton, CT. Scott was a NELLS 2017 attendee and was the CT State Mentor at NELLS 2023. Scott is also an experienced theatre director, receiving his Masters in Theatre from Emerson College in Boston, and has directed and/or acting in over 200 plays and musicals at the college, community, and professional levels. Scott has brought positive and effective changes and ideas to his library work by creating better patron spaces and more productive work areas for staff, leading practical and aspirational strategic planning, establishing and maintaining vital community and civic partnerships, as well as expanding outreach efforts and providing quality library services to the community.

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 Candidates for Vice-Treasurer

Aaron Coutu

Aaron Coutu, Library Director of Warwick Public Library. I have served two years as a Member-at-Large on the NELA Executive Board. I have also served in a number of positions, as well as President, of the RI Library Associaiton. Due to my position as director, I do a lot of work with finance and budgeting. 

Kelly Linehan

I’m Kelly Linehan (she/hers), the Library Director for Waltham Public Library (Waltham, MA) and a strategy consultant for non-profit and library work. I have over 25 years of experience in urban public libraries, bringing a unique blend of leadership, innovation, and a deep commitment to social justice. I have a strong and ambitious vision for the future of libraries, one that is layered with hope and optimism, and my work has been dedicated to transforming library experiences and communities. 

I am honored to have an opportunity to support and advance the work of New England Library Association (NELA) as Vice-Treasurer. I firmly believe in my ability to collaboratively develop a fiscal strategy that aligns with NELA’s strategic goals, maximizing impact and sustainability. I have significant experience serving on various professional and non-profit boards, including currently as the Massachusetts State Representative for NELA for the past 2 years. I also bring expertise in developing multi-million-dollar budgets, financial forecasting, and resource allocation.

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 Candidates for Member-at-Large

Persephone Costello

Persephone Costello, Library Assistant at Cambridge Public Library. I am currently completing my MLIS at San Jose State University, and I have been working in libraries for two years. My husband is also attending SJSU and is working for a music library. I currently work at the Central Square branch and run a fiber arts program, as well as assisting with the Tech Time Program and the Cookbook Club! I am incredibly passionate about giving back to my community and I want to work to give back to the library community as well. I want to stand up against book bans and promote the importance of literacy at any age.

Allyson Frick

Allyson Frick moved to Maine from Virginia in August of last year to take the position of Family Engagement Manager at Thomas Memorial Library. She is originally from central North Carolina, and holds a Master of Library and Information Science from The University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Allyson has 7+ years professional library experience, serving 5 of those years in leadership roles. She has worked in the areas of Adult Services, Circulation, Community Engagement and Outreach, Library Management, and Youth Services. Her experience working in Virginia and North Carolina in various public library positions will bring a fresh perspective to NELA. Special interests include intellectual freedom and anti-censorship, access to information, and early literacy. She is passionate about public library service, and a consummate professional. Allyson lives in South Portland with her partner, Christian, her borzoi, Enzo, and a grumpy cat named Sophie.

Amber Harvey

Amber Harvey, a NELLS attendee, exemplifies the highest standards of professional excellence, innovation, and unwavering commitment to public service. She brings a rare combination of creativity, strategic vision, and exceptional management skills to her role at the Waltham Public Library, where we regularly navigate complex patron needs and community challenges. 

The WPL is fortunate to have Amber lead an incredible adult services/Reference department. She brings vast experience from public and academic libraries on the East and West Coast. Amber also oversees our impactful literacy program that has hosted three times more classes than the last FY, and engaging adult programming that has increased attendance by 140%. Her initiatives have also helped in building trust with diverse user groups. Amber is also a great colleague.

Whether mentoring staff, managing day-to-day operations, or responding to real-time issues with empathy and clarity, Amber consistently demonstrates thoughtful, data-backed decisions and mission-driven leadership that would be an invaluable asset to the NELA board. Her deep understanding of public libraries, especially in high-demand, high-impact environments, gives her unique insight into our evolving roles as library staff, particularly during the current government administration and funding turmoil.

Ari Pappas

Ari Pappas, Adult Services Librarian at Dedham Public Library. With the attack on libraries currently on going, Ari wants to do their part in these difficult times to promote and support libraries. Ari has over 10 years of experience working in academic and public libraries in the states of Wisconsin, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Massachusetts. They have been at their current job at Dedham Public Library for almost two years now. When Ari is not working to promote library services, sending ILLs, and hosting local authors, they are exploring Massachusetts and the rest of New England with their spouse and teenage son.

Reilly Scott

Reilly Scott, Library Assistant at Dover Town Library. Newer to the field of librarianship, I would bring a fresh perspective and enthusiasm to the table. I am so excited to be entering into this field, and have unrelenting energy and dedication to libraries. In my position as Library Assistant at the Dover Town Library, I've been able to work in both the adult and the children's room, and thrive in the public-facing role at the desk. Whether it’s curating engaging displays, hosting community events, or simply helping someone find their next favorite book, I’m all about creating a welcoming space for everyone. With a background as a middle and high school ESOL teacher, I love working with youth and am passionate about creating library services that serve these populations in particular.

Allison Smith

Allison Smith is the Assistant Director for Information Literacy and Adjunct Faculty at Dean College in Franklin, Massachusetts. She holds an MLIS and an MA degree in Communication Studies from the University of Rhode Island, as well as a BA in English from Salve Regina University. She enjoys teaching students about information literacy and collaborating on research projects of all subjects. Her hobby is genealogy and family history, and she loves to read British and American historical fiction. She lives in Lincoln, Rhode Island and loves all things Ocean State, especially in the summer. 

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