BROOKLINE, MA — The town election is fast approaching on Tuesday, May 5 and Public Library Trustee is one of its contested races.
Brookline Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles leading up to election day.
Petra Bignami is running for Brookline Public Library Trustee.
Age
47
Position sought
Library Trustee
Party affiliation
Democrat (Non-Partisan Election)
Family
Parent of 3, Creators of Hope Heart Project
MIT Sloan (MBA), Tufts University, Fletcher School of Law & Diplomacy (MA), George Washington University (BS Political Science)
Occupation
20 yrs. Consulting: Investment, Governance, Strategic Planning, Spending)
Previous or Current Elected Office
Current: Town Meeting Member 5+ yrs. P12, TMMA Treasurer Previous: Runkle School Council, BEEP PTO President
Campaign Website
Why are you seeking elected office?
Libraries are essential equalizers for democratic society, giving every person- regardless of income, background, or status, free access to knowledge. They preserve our collective memory & protect intellectual freedom. A functioning democracy depends on informed citizens who can evaluate evidence, understand issues, and hold power accountable. It's up to our Trustees to ensure that the political pressures taxing library systems elsewhere in our country do not impact our libraries in Brookline.
The single most-pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is __________ and this is what I intend to do about it.
I believe effective advocacy requires a strategic, relationship-based approach and I plan to serve our libraries with this lens from day one. When the Town Administrator understands our value before budget discussions begin, requests appropriately present as investments rather than just expenses. I see town and library priorities as aligned. Economic development? Libraries can support small businesses and workforce development. Youth services? Libraries are a key partner in education. Our library system in Brookline is essential infrastructure, not a nice-to-have. Given my consulting background, I know data matters, and it's also important to pair it with real community impact. Brookline's library system is recognized as the third busiest system in Massachusetts, serving ~42,000 registered borrowers with a total circulation of over 1,000,000 items. That's outstanding with a $4.7m budget. I pledge to do the Trustee work to keep it that way.
What are the critical differences between you and other candidates seeking this post?
I cultivate compromise with the aim to moderate polarized thinking. I offer careful consideration of every vote, while mindful of the dangers of single issue politics. I am locally and nationally weary of candidates and platforms that operate more like social media influencers, instead of the essential stewards our democracy deserves. I will bring this lens to the Library Trustee role. I will ensure that our new Director is well supported and that our system remains strong with relevant programming and services. I will bring my expertise in: Governance, Budget, Finance, and Talent Management to the Board, and will meaningfully contribute from day one
Above all, I pledge to do the work.
Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.
Other issues that keep me up at night can be found here.
The best advice ever shared with me was __________
Listen more than you speak—especially when making decisions that affect a community. People closest to a problem usually understand it best, and our job as leaders is to create space for those voices, not to assume we already have the answers. For a Library Trustee, I think this is particularly relevant. The library serves everyone—children, seniors, job seekers, new Americans, people experiencing housing insecurity—and each group experiences it differently. The best decisions come from genuinely hearing what patrons and staff need, not from imposing a personal vision.
What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?
I believe our town flourishes when elected representatives commit to prioritizing the roles we have granted them. This means doing the unglamorous, substantive work of serving on sub-committees, reading reports, writing reports, and putting in the hours the role requires. It may not be paid, but it is a job. If representatives approach it that way, it can be both deeply humbling and gratifying work.
See Also:
Brookline Candidate Profile: Amy Newell For Public Library Trustee
Brookline Candidate Profile: Jonathan Klein For Housing Authority
Brookline School Committee Candidate Pushes Back On Voting Record Criticism
Brookline Library Reopens After Temporary Shutdown
Brookline Organization Forms In Opposition To Override
Maine Police Still Looking To Solve Murder Of Brookline Man 50 Years Later
Brookline Police Chief Gets 3-year Contract Extension
Brookline School Leaders Exploring Possible Improvements To Unique History Course
Brookline Chinese Restaurant Is Closing Its Doors This Summer
Brookline Chamber Of Commerce Coming To An End
Sign up for free local newsletters and alerts for the
Brookline, MA Patch
Patch.com is the nationwide leader in hyperlocal news.
Visit Patch.com to find your town today.