Brookline Candidate Profile: Chris Chanyasulkit For Public Library Trustee

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.

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Chris Chanyasulkit is running for Brookline Public Library Trustee.

Age

49

Position sought

Library Trustee

Party affiliation

Democrat

Family

Married with 3 kids in the Brookline Public Schools and 2 dogs

Education

PhD in Political Science (Northeastern University); MPH (Boston University School of Public Health); B.A. in Biology & Art History (Boston University)

Occupation

Public Health Consultant, Keynote Speaker, Travel Advisor

Previous or Current Elected Office

Library Trustee (2016 - Present), Town Meeting Member (2009-2023)

Campaign Website

www.chanyasulkit.com

Why are you seeking elected office?

I believe that a thriving library is the heartbeat of a healthy community. My career has been dedicated to advancing health equity and civic engagement, and I want to continue to bring that same energy to our library system. I am running to ensure our libraries remain inclusive spaces where every resident feels they belong and has the tools to flourish.

The single most-pressing issue facing our board is ensuring the library remains Brookline’s most loved community connector and an essential equity hub.

To me, the library is much more than a building with books; it is a vital public health resource. My goal is to bridge the gaps between health, equity, and library access so that every neighbor feels they belong and can thrive. I aim to achieve this goal through the following three main steps:

• Advocate for funding and staff: I will continue to advocate for library funding and competitive staff pay. Great stories need great storytellers, and our staff are the "plot" that makes the library work. Our library provides an extraordinary investment, operating on less than two cents of every town dollar, and I will ensure we maintain that strong value for our residents.
• Forge new partnerships: I will use my public health expertise to forge new partnerships. I want to strengthen the link between community well-being and library services. This means making sure our programs (which already serve over 30,000 attendees) continue to be inclusive and accessible to everyone, from our children to our seniors.
• Defend intellectual freedom: I am committed to protecting every Brookline resident’s right to read, learn, and think freely.

By focusing on these steps, we ensure that our library stays open and welcoming (across all 175 total weekly hours of service) as a place where anyone can discover the resources they need to succeed.

What are the critical differences between you and other candidates seeking this post?

My background fuses public health, policy advocacy, and community engagement. My lived experience has given me a deep and personal understanding of resilience and the importance of accessible information. I do not just see the library as a service, but rather, I see it through a lens of equity and joy. I bring a fun and compassionate approach to the Library Board that tries to turn complex challenges into opportunities for inclusive impact.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

My platform focuses on three pillars:

1. Inclusive Leadership: Ensuring diverse voices are represented in our collections and programs.
2. Sustainability: Creating a long-term strategic plan that balances fiscal responsibility with innovative growth.
3. Community Connection: Strengthening partnerships between the library and current partners, but also I look forward to forging non-traditional partnerships across Brookline. Whether it is collaborating with local businesses, arts organizations, or innovators, I am committed to out-of-the-box thinking that brings library resources directly to where people live, work, and play.

The best advice ever shared with me was

that none of us are guaranteed tomorrow, so we have to make today count and stop saving things for a "special occasion." Whether it is wearing the dress or having dessert first, I treat every day like the gift it is. I bring that same sense of urgency, joy, and purpose to all that I do.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I am a firm believer that we can do serious, impactful work while still having fun. If you ask anyone I work with at the library or in the community, they will tell you that I work incredibly hard and always give my best, but I also make sure we find joy in the process and very likely include a few puns in my writing. I want to bring that sense of magic back to our community spaces. I am also deeply thankful to have earned the endorsements of Progressive Brookline, Brookline for Responsible Government, and Brookline PAX. When we invest in our libraries, we are investing in the health and dignity of our entire community. I am ready to get to work for all of you, while having fun doing it together!

See Also:

Brookline Candidate Profile: Laura Baines-Walsh For School Committee

Brookline Candidate Profile: Marissa Vogt For Public Library Trustee

Brookline Candidate Profile: Petra Bignami For Public Library Trustee

Brookline Candidate Profile: Aylit Schultz For School Committee

Brookline Candidate Profile: Amy Newell For Public Library Trustee

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