Our People
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Board
Our volunteer Board of Directors guides the mission and vision of FoSWL, ensuring we continue to advocate for and support the library in meaningful ways. Board members serve two-year terms, with the opportunity for re-election, and can choose to lead or participate in committees that further our work.
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Committees
Collaboration is at the heart of what we do. FoSWL has three standing committees and three sub-committees, each led by a chairperson from our membership or Board of Directors. These committees focus on key areas of support, from fundraising to event planning, ensuring our efforts are both meaningful and effective.
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Library Staff
The heart of the South Whatcom Library is its dedicated staff. They are the friendly faces who help us find our next favorite book, connect us with resources, and create a welcoming space for all.
We’re grateful for their dedication every day!
Our Board
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Resources & Development Chair
Alma Deckert is probably better known as Alma Alexander (“Duchess of Fantasy” – more about that at www.AlmaAlexander.org, the title is real, if defunct…), author of more than twenty books (and more pending), recipient of the Mayor’s Arts Award for the city of Bellingham, and twice a finalist for the WA State Book Award.
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Membership Committee ChairRay has been married to Anne for 44 years. They have been living in Sudden Valley since 2017. Ray and Anne have three adult children; two work in Whatcom County and their oldest daughter is married and lives in Italy. The children grew up visiting the library.
Ray worked in sales for Sherwin Williams 35 years. Ray has served on five nonprofit Boards and is currently serving on the Sudden Valley Board of Directors. Ray was an active member of the FoSWL Membership Committee for two years before being elected to the board.
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Gena grew up outside New York City in the one-traffic-light hamlet of Palisades on the Hudson.She completed her B.S. degree in geology at S.U.N.Y Binghamton and moved west to attend graduate school at U.C. Riverside. After completing her M.S. degree, she enjoyed a 37-year career as a Geologist at a major integrated energy company. She moved to Bellingham in 2021 with her husband and adult son to enjoy the beautiful PNW in retirement.
She enjoys walking Whatcom trails, reading, and crossword puzzles, as well as visiting the warm and welcoming South Whatcom Library.
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Diane has spent a great deal of her life volunteering in a variety of capacities, the most recent as secretary for the Oak Harbor, WA Navy League Council where she served as contact point between the council and the board and for NAS Whidbey Island on-base commands and the national Navy League of the United States in Arlington, VA.Amid her years of service, Diane enjoyed raising a family and completing her college education. She moved with her husband to Sudden Valley in 2022.
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Nancy grew up in Ohio. She earned a B.A. at Kent State University and entered her first professional job as a Child Care Worker at Portage County Juvenile Court.After moving to Seattle, Nancy worked at the Seattle P-I and The Seattle Times in advertising sales and management; later joining Macy’s sales staff as a manager in the Bellingham and Burlington stores.
Nancy and her husband moved to Sudden Valley in 2008. Nancy is an avid reader, has two grown children and loves gardening with her husband.
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Ahn Davidson moved to Sudden Valley with her family four years
ago and considers the library one of their favorite community third
spaces. She also volunteers as the Sudden Valley Area Z Garden
Manager! Ahn brings over 30+ years of community service works
and board experience with her and looks forward to supporting the
library and the amazing staff at the South Whatcom branch.
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Chair, Planning Committee
Peggy Perry is a seasoned healthcare professional whose nursing
career has spanned over six remarkable decades. A Registered
Nurse with a Master of Business Administration, Margaret has held
pivotal leadership roles throughout her career, including Director of
Hospice Services and Director of the Skagit Cancer Center. Most
recently, she served as the Transfer of Care Manager at Sea Mar
Community Health Centers, where her deep compassion and clinical
expertise helped guide countless patients through critical
transitions in care.
Having lived in the Pacific Northwest for over 30 years, Margaret
made her home in Sudden Valley in 2018, where she now enjoys
retirement. She shares her peaceful, plant-filled home with her
daughter, two silly dogs, and a delightfully pushy cat. A lifelong
learner and avid reader, Margaret continues to nurture her passions
for literature and gardening, filling her days with beauty, curiosity,
and care.
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Volunteer CoordinatorSandi earned her IT degree from the University of Pittsburgh. Sandi had worked in schools and public libraries from fourth grade through college and was excited when the internet came of age and automated so many of her previous jobs.
Sandi now works as a pharmacist exchanging patient information electronically throughout the healthcare system for the Veterans Administration. Her grandkids all are passionate readers.
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Sarah grew up in Anchorage, Alaska, as the child of two teachers. As an adult, she earned her B.A. degree in French from WWU, and then went on to get a masters in Teaching from WSU Tri-Cities.After living in several states and working as a classroom teacher, instructional coach, and director of a nonprofit, Sarah and her family moved back to Bellingham to be closer to family in 2023. She worked for WWU and currently serves as Associate Dean at Northwest Indian College. She and her husband and son live in Gate 13 in Sudden Valley with their two Goldendoodles, Ellie and Griffey. Sarah is an avid reader and active Libby user, and loves to travel and garden.
Meet the Committees
Meet the Library Staff
Liz
(she/her)
Mary
(she/her)
Brian
(he/him)
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Branch Manager
Coming from England, by way of upstate New York, Liz was thrilled to make her home in Whatcom County in 2020. Liz has enjoyed becoming a part of this wonderful community and exploring everything this area has to offer.
Her background includes extensive customer service roles as well as previous library management. She enjoys reading, playing board games, watching horror movies, and checking out local breweries.
Ask her about: Sci-Fi, Fantasy novels, Graphic Novels, and Video Games.
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Public Services Assistant
Mary has lived in Skagit County for 33 years, after a youth spent in Southern California. An avid reader her whole life, she spent the past 20 years working in libraries.
When not reading, she’s cooking or baking, playing the piano or organ, or out walking in gorgeous Northwest nature.
Ask her about: Anything! She reads Mysteries, Romantic Suspense, Romance, Non-Fiction, and Children’s books plus she watches DVDs.
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Public Services Assistant
He feels as though he has lived many wonderful lives in his one short life. He is especially pleased and privileged that my latest incarnation is with the South Whatcom Library!
He loves working with both the staff and patrons and enjoy my part in keeping the library “wheels turning” so all may enjoy the many splendid benefits we offer to Whatcom County residents and visitors alike.
Ask him about: Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Cooking, Baking (vegetarian/vegan), DVDs (mysteries/crime/dramas/BBC)
Emma
(she/they)
Eden (they/them)
Chanty
(she/her)
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Page
I have loved the idea of working as part of a library system since I was little, I even had the opportunity to volunteer at my hometown library which definitely put me on the track of wanting to work at a library. I enjoy being organized and meeting new people at work, whether they are coworkers or patrons. As far as how I spend my free time, I love to be outdoors, listen to music, and have taken up sewing as a hobby over the past year.
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Page
I have always always ALWAYS loved to read. I knit, write stories (I’m working on a couple webcomics with my artist friends), do voice over for a couple indie projects, make candles, and a few other fun things! In my spare time, I love to lock into a good video game, whether alone or with friends.
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Custodian
I am a Sudden Valley resident and love the outdoor life here in the valley. I love walking and golfing with my family during the summertime. I love my library and all the staff.