About Us: Library Administration

The Spokane Public Library is a department of the City of Spokane. Each year, the City allocates a portion of the general fund to the Library Board of Trustees, a group of five citizen volunteers who oversee the administration of the Library (see bios below). The Board has charged responsibility for library administration to the Library Director.

Board of Trustees meetings are held monthly and are open to the public. Meetings are generally scheduled for 4:30 p.m. on the third Tuesday of the month, but they are subject to change. Please check this page for the correct date and location of the next Board meeting.

Next Board Meeting

Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Regular Board Meeting

Downtown Library, Meeting Room 1A

906 W. Main Avenue

Spokane WA 99201

4:30 p.m.

Agenda

Meeting agendas are generally available a couple of days prior to the meeting and will be posted. Copies of the agenda will also be available at the meeting.

Meeting minutes are available here. Please note that minutes are not approved until the following board meeting and are not posted until approved. For minutes prior to 2008, contact the Library's business office at 444-5416.

Library Director

Andrew Chanse or director@spokanelibrary.org

Board of Trustees

Jack L. Fallis, Jr., Chair
Mr. Fallis is a lifelong resident of Spokane and the President/CEO of Global Credit Union. Spokane public libraries are an important part of his family time and he is passionate about his stewardship of the library system for the citizens of Spokane. Jack brings an important business and financial perspective to the library Board of Trustees.
Appointed: 6/1/04
Second Term expires: 3/31/14

Janice Marich, Vice Chair
It was from her mother, who ran a small town library, that Ms. Marich inherited her passion for reading and libraries. She believes those two things are critical in helping our children on the road to success and are key components in a healthy community. When she is not volunteering for the library board, Janice is kept very busy with her work at Spokane County United Way.
Appointed: 6/1/10
First Term Expires: 3/31/15

Jim Kershner
Mr. Kershner is an author, historian and longtime columnist for The Spokesman-Review (retired). He continues to work as a freelance writer, journalist and staff historian for HistoryLink.org, The Online Encyclopedia of Washington State History. He has used the Spokane Public Library for research into many of his works, including his most recent book, "Carl Maxey: A Fighting Life.” Jim is a self-described "library nerd" who believes that a great library is essential for anyone with a curious mind.
Appointed 1/1/12
First Term expires: 3/31/16
Filling unexpired term vacated by Cindy Weiser

Nathan G. Smith

Ever since being read to in elementary school, Mr. Smith has believed in libraries as a place to learn and collaborate. In addition to being a Library trustee, Nathan has served on the Spokane Public Library Foundation board since 2010. When not serving the Library system in one form or another, Nathan is an attorney at Witherspoon Kelley.
Appointed: 7/18/11
First Term expires: 3/31/13
Filling unexpired term vacated by Ned Barnes

Anne Walter

Anne Walter has fond memories of the old Heath Library on Mission Avenue where she got her first library card. A lifelong Spokane resident, she worked in newspapers for 16 years and now is a school counselor at Franklin Elementary. Her work gives her a firsthand view of the power reading and writing have for all children, sometimes changing a child’s entire outlook on learning and life. Preserving access to libraries throughout Spokane for all is a top priority for Anne. She frequents the downtown branch, where she sneaks nostalgic looks at the children's section now that her three kids have grown out of it.
Appointed: 5/14/12
First Term expires: 3/31/17

Ron Miller, Emeritus

You may write to the trustees c/o of the Library at:

Spokane Public Library
906 West Main Avenue
Spokane, WA 99201-0976

Or you may email them at trustee@spokanelibrary.org