Submitted by Whatcom County Library System
Whatcom County Library System (WCLS) Board of Trustees is pleased to announce the appointment of Gwen Vanderhage to the Library Board. Vanderhage will complete the term of board member Lis Marshall, which runs through January 31, 2017.
Since starting as a page and clerk at the Bellingham Public Library 1995, Gwen Vanderhage has been working for and with libraries. She received her Bachelor of Arts from Western Washington University and her Master of Library and Information Science from Simmons College in Boston, MA. Currently, Vanderhage is a collection development librarian for the Brodart company, selecting “opening day” book collections for new libraries, and getting plenty of exercise keeping up with her 2-year old son, Conrad.
Vanderhage believes her roots in the library world will be valuable as a Trustee. “Being a librarian gives me an additional perspective in the Trustee’s role of providing oversight on budget and planning,” said Vanderhage. “But generally, I’m taking off my “library hat” and coming at the job with a community focus.”
WCLS Executive Director Christine Perkins is looking forward to working with Vanderhage. “We welcome Gwen’s perspective as a library employee, bookseller, and especially as a children’s librarian to our Board as WCLS continues to focus on the importance of early learning,” said Perkins.
Vanderhage joins the five-member volunteer WCLS Board of Trustees appointed by the Whatcom County Executive. The Board is responsible for budget oversight and setting policy for the Library System. Regular public meetings of the Library Board are held on the third Tuesday of each month. Meeting schedule, agendas, and minutes of previous meetings are available online at WCLS.org.
The Whatcom County Library System is in the business of connecting residents with information, ideas, and community, serving more than 1.8 million visitors annually at 10 libraries and bookmobile. Library users have access to a rich and curated collection of print and e-books, online research sites, fun events, and comfortable meeting places for all ages.
