Nancy Lambert - Library Trustee

NANCY LAMBERT - Library Trustee
17 Faculty Road

Education: 
M.S. Organizational Management - School for International Training
M.S. Natural Resources: Forestry - University of New Hampshire
B.A. Biology: Environmental Studies Concentration - Grinnell College

Occupation:  Homemaker and caregiver (formerly a natural resources specialist who founded UNH Cooperative Extension’s program in geospatial technologies)

Years as Durham Resident:  I came to UNH as a graduate student in 1990, worked for UNH for ten years, and moved to Durham in 2000.

Previous Service on Governmental/Community/Civic Boards, Commissions, Committees, or Organizations.
As a founding member and coordinator of Durham United, I facilitate communication about local initiatives related to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice. Pre-pandemic, I led educational programming efforts in observance of Indigenous Peoples’ Day. (2017-present)

I serve on the Oyster River Community Read Steering Committee, which sponsors community-based educational programs around specific topics including race, democracy, and community. (2018-present)

I coordinate the South Church book group, which sponsors monthly book and film discussions on a wide variety of topics. (2015-present)

I served on the fundraising committees for the Dr. Kenny Rotner bridge (2021) and for the conservation of Amber Acres (2012) and was a volunteer coordinator for Seacoast Family Promise (2014-2018), which provides shelter and support to families experiencing homelessness.

I served on the Strafford Rivers Conservancy Board of Directors (2008-2010) where I chaired the development committee and the lands committee, recruited new volunteers, led the educational outreach program, developed policies for land stewardship practices and assisted with fundraising and communication efforts.

I was an office volunteer with Ascentria Care Alliance’s New Americans Program supporting refugee resettlement (2014-2017), a NH foster parent with Casey Family Services (2010-2012), a Big Sister in the Big Brother/Big Sister program (1998-2007), and a forestry volunteer with the U.S. Peace Corps in The Gambia (1987-1989).

Reason for Interest in Running for Elected Office: 
When the internet became available in most households and information was readily available, I wondered if libraries would become obsolete. Instead of becoming irrelevant in the information age, the library’s foundational role in our community remains central. It is critical to our social infrastructure – a place where we can still meet and learn together, no matter our income, race, gender, sexuality, political persuasion, or religion. I am running for Trustee because I want to contribute to the library as the central place in our community where all feel welcome to learn, access resources, and meet and engage with one another.