HomeMy WebLinkAboutBIOGRAPHY MacAlpineBarbara MacAlpine—Biography Updated 1/26 2022
My educational background includes a BA in Psychology (Earlham College, Richmond, Indiana)
and an MA in Library Science (University of Wisconsin—Madison). My husband and I raised
our two children on a farm outside Ann Arbor, Michigan. They attended school in the nearest
town (Dexter, population 3,000+), and we appreciated the closeness of that community along
with the advantages of a small town.
I was a professional librarian at the University of Michigan, Washtenaw Community College
(Ann Arbor), and Trinity University (San Antonio). At Trinity, I was a Professor and the Science
Librarian, taught classes on information literacy and on environmental issues, and served on the
Faculty Senate. My time and efforts spent as the Honor Code faculty advisor and as co-
coordinator of a new campus center for learning and teaching were recognized with the Trinity
Faculty Distinguished Service Award. I was also elected and served nationally as Chair of the
American Library Association’s Science and Technology Section, a 1500+ member organization
of science librarians in the U.S. and Canada.
After visiting Estes Park on numerous occasions, we moved here in 2014, following the birth of
our first grandchild in Boulder. At that time, I joined the Estes Valley Community Garden Board
and served three terms as its president or vice-president and six year as Volunteer Coordinator
for the garden. The level of generosity and volunteerism in this community continues to amaze
me. Very locally, I serve as the treasurer of my HOA Board.
We are enjoying the advantages of living in a close-knit town again; it offers us the opportunity
to contribute our talents and try to make a difference. As a librarian and educator, I developed
organizational skills and gained extensive experience researching issues. As a trustee, I try to
bring a thorough, thoughtful approach to problem solving, with decisions that take into account
different needs of the community.
In the 2020 Town Board election, I pledged to:
--Bring members of the Community together. Various issues have divided people, but in the long
run we have many similar goals. I am known as a good listener, have worked with a wide range
of people over the years, and have tried to take into consideration the input from all our citizens
to find common ground for discussion and cooperation.
--Help to facilitate updating of the Comprehensive Plan, taking into account pressures for land
use, economic vitality, residents’ concerns for quality of life, wildlife, and the future of our
extraordinary natural environment. I am serving as the Trustee liaison to the Comprehensive
Plan Advisory Committee (CompPAC).
--Contribute to solutions for Estes Park’s pressing problems, including affordable housing,
essential childcare, workforce needs, downtown planning, recognition and involvement of
disenfranchised groups, and the accommodation of growth and development. I encourage
sustainable solutions, while making sure everyone’s needs are considered in our evolving
circumstances.
--Work toward more inclusive means of communication between the Board and the community.
Everyone has the right to be heard and respected. This has been especially challenging with
Covid overriding our normal means of communication, but I still hope to promote more
accessible options for all our citizens to voice their concerns easily, in public or private, in
person or online.