Board/Meetings

I moved to Delmar in 2021 after a career as a writer and editor, and was as thrilled to obtain a library card as I had been to get my first card many years ago in New York City. As a member of the Friends since my move to Delmar, I’ve enjoyed assisting its programs and look forward to continuing to support the library and its readers.

Upon moving to Delmar in 1978, I immediately got a BPL library card. Much later, as a retired BPL librarian, I wanted to give back to an institution that I love … so I am a Friend forever! I have a bachelor’s degree from Carroll College, and masters’ degrees from Columbia University and SUNY Albany.

I have been with the Friends’ board since 2016 as treasurer. My background is libraries: seven years as a director in Kentucky, and seven as director and 26 as assistant director in Colonie. I have an MLS from Indiana University and an MBA from UAlbany.

Soon after I moved to Delmar five years ago, I joined the Friends and now serve as board secretary. It has been a fulfilling opportunity to continue my commitment to libraries that began over 30 years ago. My goal is to help make the Bethlehem library such an integral part of peoples’ lives that they wouldn’t want to be without it.

I’ve lived in the community for 43 years, and for 43 years I’ve been a fan of the Bethlehem Public Library! I’ve been a Friend for 30 years and a board member for five years.

Jess Kansas and her family have lived in Slingerlands since 2015 and have been Friends of the Library members since then. Jess joined the Friends Board in 2020 during the pandemic when she saw the library step up (even more than usual) to support our community. Jess is largely involved with Friends fundraising/membership initiatives as that is her background. She graduated from Bentley College in 2001 and has worked in sales and fundraising (primarily higher education) throughout her 25-year career. She currently works at Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs. Jess is also the co-President of the Bethlehem Middle School PTO and serves on the board of a family foundation.

I was born and raised in Brooklyn, with a 26-year stint in New Jersey. I moved to Slingerlands in 2012 when I retired to be near what I have always wanted: mountains, trees, outdoor activities and community. My professional career positions included responsibility for new business development, strategic corporate and HR/benefits communications planning and implementation, development of quality assurance procedures and management of people and projects. Now, I am interested in giving back to my community. I have volunteered at Five Rivers and have had a Capital Roots garden at Elm Avenue Park for the last four years. I am excited to use my writing, copy editing, and proofreading talents, as well as my more recent book sale experiences, to further the work of the Friends of the Library.

I was born in Troy, raised in Schenectady and went to college in Rochester.  I went to work with the State Department of Health in the early ’70s. My family moved to Delmar in the early ’80s and we have enjoyed regular use of the library’s facilities and services over those years. I subsequently became a member of the Friends. It is my intention to continue helping make the library a community asset.

As a lifelong lover of books, libraries have always been dear to my heart, and encouraging greater access to literacy has always been a core value and belief. Upon returning to Bethlehem in 2021, I knew becoming involved with the Friends of Bethlehem Public Library provided an avenue to give back to the community in a way that aligned with my passion for reading. Joining the Friends and discovering the various volunteer opportunities has brought me closer to my community and provided a deep sense of fulfillment. An editor and writer by trade, I’m pleased to be able to support our great library and community as a member of the Board of Directors. 

I moved to Delmar in 1990 and joined the Bethlehem Public Library Friends’ Board in 2015 after retiring from a career in education. The goal in the next few years became for the group to become an organization with a growing community membership, an increasing community involvement, and being able to maintain a strong financial base for supporting the library. The BPL Friends continue to work toward these goals in order to partner with our exceptional Bethlehem Public Library.

Thirty years ago, my husband and I moved to Delmar, with two small kids. One of my first stops was the Bethlehem Public Library. Over the years, the library has been a welcome oasis and a source of books, knowledge, joy, and solace. After retiring from a career in public health, I continue to be a regular at our library. I shudder to imagine a life where there was no Bethlehem Public Library!