Peninsula Public Library Installs New Trustee

Patricia Pope said she always thought of herself as a library buff. It's fitting, then, she said, that she has been appointed as the newest trustee for the .

The board of trustees voted at its meeting last Thursday to install the Inwood resident in the seat vacated by E. Marie Doran, who stepped down due to medical reasons. Pope, a registered nurse who is going for a Master's degree, will have to run for election next year to stay in the seat.

"I'm pleased as punch to be on board," the self-described empty nester said. "I'm a pillar of the community and I've used Peninsula Public Library for the past 30 years when my children were growing up. Now I'm in grad school and still utilizing it."

PPL Director Arleen Reo, who has known Pope for over 20 years, was the first person to encourage her to join the board. "It has been something that crossed her radar in the past," Reo said. "She's well spoken, well educated and lives in the community. I believe she would represent the community Marie Doran was representing. Ideally, we would like all the communities we cover represented on the board."

Asked what she thinks she brings to the board, Pope responded with one word. "Diversity," she said. "I've seen the community change in the past 30 years, a good change. I see more African Americans and Hispanics. It's more diverse and I like that."

The board also continued discussions on its possible move to Temple Israel's front lawn, and are waiting on it to file the subdivision that would allow the temple to sell the property.

"Until that happens, it's just status quo," said board vice president Joan Lepelstat. "We're waiting on the subdivision and then we're full steam ahead."

Pope is also waiting for movement on the deal. "I hope to be part of the big exodus from that little area," she said of the current library. "I'm enthused about the process of moving and expanding."