From the desk of Laura Pelzer

It’s been a big week – in so many ways! For those of you who joined us for the 278th Annual Members Meeting, held annually on the third Tuesday of January – THANK YOU. It was a great success. As with each of the last two years, we had sold-out member RSVP’s for this important gathering. Last year, the reschedule due to ice impacted actual attendance, but without that as a barrier this year, we filled the room, as expected, to full capacity of about 262 people. Thereception that followed allowed for community and conversation, with the general feedback that the meeting was received as impressive, organized, thoughtful, and clearly communicated. For that, we could not be more grateful.   

A lot of work goes into that meeting. First and foremost, thank you to the entire team at theLibrary Society, those who are producing all of the incredible results we shared with everyone in the room. Secondly, but equally as important, a huge thank you to the members of our Board of Trustees who orchestrated this meeting with flawless perfection – Jack McSpadden (President), Jim Treyz (Treasurer), and Stevenson Bennett (Nominating & Governance Chair).  

A standing ovation shared appreciation for Jack McSpadden, the exiting Board President who held the leadership position for three years, during a particularly exciting time of the organization’s long history, after also serving as Treasurer and dedicating countless hours toward the mission in a myriad of other ways. We also recognized the contributions of Jim Bradshaw, Susan DiCamillo, Anne Keigher, Mike Reynolds, Ed Sellers, and Elisa Von Marschall – a deeply involved group of board members who completed six-year terms as of Tuesday evening. The impact of this group will be greatly noted.   

Two long-standing trustees have been voted into the Executive roles – Jim Treyz as our Board President, along with Carl Wise as Vice President. We are so incredibly fortunate to have their leadership as the Library Society continues on its growth trajectory!    

Certainly not least, we are so pleased to have the enthusiasm of seven new trustees, each bringing remarkable talents and vision to the table – welcome Richard Almeida, Gervais Hagerty Del Porto, Kaky Grant, John Hill, John Pope, Kitty Robinson, and Debra Sonkin.   

For those unable to make it, we have options for you to ‘catch up’! Please enjoy this ‘remote experience’ and never hesitate to inquire with questions!  

• You’ll find the video recording HERE  

• And the slides that were on rotation on arrival, HERE  

We so appreciate this insightful group of members, making it possible to continue our mission each and every day.  

With great sincerity, 

Laura Pelzer  

Executive Director