Libraries are the cornerstone that provide book access to all community families. As a first grade teacher for over thirty years, I worked hard to teach my students the joy and importance of reading. My vast experience with committees and community events will enable me to utilize my knowledge and give back to the Parchment Community while promoting the love of books and all that libraries have to offer. As a board member I would enjoy working to continue the library’s mission.

I will work with board members and staff to support the current goals. I will advocate for continuing to provide equitable services and community-oriented events and programs for all ages. My role as a new board member will begin as a listener and learner who will voice my questions and concerns as they arise.

I believe the Parchment Library staff works diligently to provide services for all. Upon entering you find tables with many helpful publications and an atmosphere conducive to reading. The staff always works hard to find whatever is needed for their patrons and promotes a feeling of community within the library and with programs geared toward a variety of interests.

In November of 2025, I was appointed by the Board to fill Ruth Layne's seat upon her resignation, and had been regularly attending meetings for months prior. The library is dear to me: I'm a regular patron of our local library, as well as the Kalamazoo Public Library, and all of my children have been as well. I currently serve as the treasurer for the Parchment library, and we have a dedicated and cohesive group of patron servants with the community library's interest at heart. With a long history of public service through Habitat, the Scouting movement, and volunteering at the Kindleberger garden, I'm happy to give my time freely.

My highest priority as a trustee is ensuring the widest possible access to information, entertainment, and shelter from the elements: the director and staff are empowered to fill the library with books and materials of interest to anyone who comes through the door, and protecting that for our community helps ensure an informed and educated public. Secondary to that is doing what I can to help protect funding and looking for additional sources of philanthropic donations to protect the viability of the district well into the future, and expand its capabilities.

The library opened its doors wider this year by inviting those who work in the community to pick up a library card, expanding our digital footprint, and offering more event programming that has been increasingly popular. Our director and her staff welcome anyone to browse the shelves, are actively looking for ways to get more people through the doors. and upcoming renovations will make it an even more welcoming, accessible space. I'm proud that we were able to approve pay increases this year that cover inflation and more without damaging a relatively thin budget: our staff are local, helpful, and tenured, and the community is better for it.

A value I hold is service; I believe it's important to serve the community you are a part of. I am currently serving on the PCL board and I would love the opportunity to continue in the position and uphold the mission of the library, making a difference in our community.

My top two priorities when serving in this position are to support and empower the library Director and staff, and advocate for the library in the community and city. This includes being a fierce advocate for library funding, library needs as identified by the Director, and community needs as they arise.

PCL does an amazing job of serving the Parchment community. It's one of the reasons that I was interested in this position. The outreach programs are inclusive, thoughtful, and fun. They genuinely care about the community and you can feel that the moment you step through the door. I trust the current leadership at the library and look forward to the opportunity to support them as they continue to "enrich lives and empower people through relevant, accessible, high quality library services" as stated in their mission.