Glenn Miller, Deputy Secretary & Commissioner for Libraries
Advisory Council on Library Development Leadership
I’m pleased to announce that Governor Tom Wolf has made appointments to the Advisory Council on Library Development (GAC) bringing it to full complement for the first time in decades.
The appointments are:
- David L. Belanger, Chester County, term expires January 2020
- Marsha M. Everton, Cumberland County, term expires January 2019
- Robert M. Gallivan, Erie County, term expires January 2019
- Mary O. Garm, Susquehanna County, term expires January 2022
- Louis W. LaBar, Wayne County, term expires January 2020
- Robert F. Lambert, York County, term expires January 2022
- Allison J. Mackley, Dauphin County, term expires January 2019
- Sharon McRae, Allegheny County, term expires January 2020
- Olga Negrón, Northampton County, term expires January 2022
- Larry L. Nesbit, D.Ed., Tioga County, term expires January 2019
- Patrick M. Oates, Ph.D., Montgomery County, term expires January 2019
- Barbara A. Zaborowski, Ph.D., Cambria County, term expires January 2020
With these appointments, we bring to a close the tenure of David E. Mitchell who did not seek reappointment and is leaving the Council after 37 years of service to Pennsylvania’s libraries. A resident of Erie County and the newly elected mayor of Corry, PA, Dave was first appointed to the GAC in 1981 by Governor Dick Thornburgh. As a member of the GAC, Dave advised every state librarian/deputy secretary of education beginning with Elliot Shelkrot and including Sara Ann Parker, Gary Wolfe, Clare Zales, Stacey A. Aldrich, and me. I am very grateful for his many years of service, his strong support for the role that all libraries play in the lives of Pennsylvanians, and for his friendship. I expect that Dave will join us as an observer at the May 4 meeting where we can thank him in person and wish him well.
Finally, I am happy to report that Governor Wolf appointed Mary Garm, administrator of the Lackawanna County Library System, to serve as chair of the GAC, and David Belanger, Director of Libraries in Lower Merion Township, will serve as vice chair.
Contact information for each member is listed on the Office of Commonwealth Libraries’ website. Later this year, Compendium posts will include interviews and photos of members.
About the Council
The Advisory Council on Library Development, also known as the Governor’s Advisory Council on Library Development or GAC is established in the Public Library Code (24 PA C. S. A. § 9312).
The GAC consists of 12 members that are appointed by the Governor. To ensure broad representation among PA residents, three members are local library trustees, three members are laypeople, and six members are professional librarians. The Secretary of Education, Pedro A. Rivera, and I are ex officio members.
The GAC is responsible for advising the Governor, the Secretary of Education, and the Deputy Secretary regarding the general policies and operations of the Office of Commonwealth Libraries and the state’s system of aid to libraries. It also is responsible for approving draft regulations that will be proposed by the Department of Education’s Office of Commonwealth Libraries before they are submitted to regulatory agencies for review.
Upcoming meeting dates are:
- May 4, 2018 (Hershey)
- July 10, 2018 (Harrisburg)
- October 14, 2018 (Harrisburg)
Meetings are open to the public.
Questions or Comments
Contact Jonelle Darr by email jodarr@pa.gov or by phone at (717) 783-5725.
Glenn R. Miller | Deputy Secretary & Commissioner for Libraries
Pennsylvania Department of Education | Office of Commonwealth Libraries
Room 200 Forum Building
607 South Drive | Harrisburg, PA 17120-0600
Phone: 717-783-2466 | www.education.pa.gov | @PaDeptofEd
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The mission of the Department of Education is to ensure that every learner has access to a world-class education system that academically prepares children and adults to succeed as productive citizens. Further, the Department seeks to establish a culture that is committed to improving opportunities throughout the commonwealth by ensuring that technical support, resources, and optimal learning environments are available for all students, whether children or adults.
This communication is issued on the Deputy Secretary’s behalf by Jonelle Darr, Executive Assistant (jodarr@pa.gov; 717-783-5725)