For as long as I can remember, libraries have played a big role in my life. The public library has been called the “people’s university” and for me, that has certainly been true. Although I had a fine formal education, much of what I know about history, literature, and music has been learned from sources provided by the public library. And it’s not all academic — libraries have helped me learn to swim, juggle, flyfish, canoe, and trace my family history.

I have spent my entire professional life in library work. Now that I have retired from active duty, serving on the board of the Wilsonville Public Library Foundation has been a great opportunity to stay involved in promoting the mission of the library. It really is an honor to be part of this great community resource and to be able to play a role in promoting educational opportunities like Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library and the Summer Reading program.