A press release from Pierce County Library System.
PIERCE COUNTY, Washington – Two community leaders are joining the Pierce County Library System’s Board of Trustees this summer. Neesha Patel, an Edgewood resident, and Abby Sloan, a University Place resident.
“Being part of the Board of Trustees is an exciting opportunity for me to further serve our communities. I am very impressed by the multifaceted service the Library provides to the community and how effectively it has evolved and adapted to the needs of the community,” said Patel. “The Pierce County Library is one of our most valuable and accessible resources in the county, and I look forward to helping support and guide this essential service.”
Patel is a volunteer with Tacoma Community House and works with underrepresented and marginalized populations to help them develop career skills and complete educational certifications. Patel’s career spanned many years teaching as a mathematics professor with several community colleges in the Puget Sound region.
“Joining the Board of Trustees during this time of tremendous change as the Library System reopens from the pandemic restrictions is a welcoming opportunity,” said Sloan. “The Library is the center of our community and brings people together around the passion of reading and the pursuit of knowledge and technology. I look forward to helping guide this valued community asset.”
Sloan is an elementary school principal with the Tacoma Public Schools. She’s a Board Member for the Pierce College Education Program, a co-project manager for community food banks, a volunteer with University Place Community Events Collaboration and participates in several other community volunteer activities.
The Library System is not a part of Pierce County government. By state law, Pierce County Executive Bruce Dammeier appointed the trustees, and the Pierce County Council ratified the appointments.
Other Library Board of Trustees include Pat Jenkins, chair; Jamilyn Penn, vice chair; and Daren Jones. Trustees are non-paid positions.
The five-member board governs the Library’s policy and fiscal direction. Trustees’ responsibilities include:
- Advocating for library services.
- Setting goals and directions.
- Approving budgets.
- Adopting policies.
- Planning for the future.
