We Are the Friends

Founded in 1968, the Friends of the Chula Vista Library is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to the support of the Chula Vista Public Library and The Chula Vista Heritage Museum through advocacy, fundraising and volunteerism. The Friends provide volunteers and financial assistance for many of the programs and services at the Civic Center, Otay Ranch  and South Chula Vista libraries as well as operations at the Museum. The Friends sponsor cultural events, underwrite summer reading programs for children and adults, and provide presentations to local schools and community groups.

Want to learn more? Download a copy of our newsletter, Among Friends.

Leadership

The Friends organization consists of four chapters, each supporting a branch of the library, and an executive board. The executive board sets goals for the organization and is responsible for fundraising, membership dues and member communications. Each chapter elects its own officers, sets its own goals and coordinates fundraising, volunteer recruitment and other activities on behalf of its particular branch. Chapter presidents are ex officio members of the executive board.

   Executive Board
President: Shauna Stokes
Vice President: Michael Encarnacion
Secretary: Helyn Sloan
Treasurer: Nancy Lemke
Membership: Suzie Botts
Members at Large: Christy Albon and Barbara Rosillo

   Civic Center Chapter
President: Ginny Taylor
Vice President: Mary Koppel
Secretary: Suzie Botts
Treasurer: Shauna Stokes
Online Books: Frank Roseman

   Heritage Museum Chapter
President: Steve Schoenherr
Vice President: Carrol Fleming
Secretary: Patti Huffman
Treasurer: Peter Watry
Nominating Committee: Harry Orgovan
Members at Large: Mitch Beauchamp, Glenda deVaney, Carlos Fox, Manny Gutierrez, Veronica Gutierrez, Barbara Kruegel, Howard Kruegel, Corinne McCall, David Neffew, Barbara Zaragosa

   Otay Ranch Chapter
President: Mary Koppel
Vice President: Joseph Mazares
Secretary: Beth Coleman
Treasurer: Judy Faas
Member at Large: Suzanne Catanzaro

   South Chula Vista Chapter
President: Andra Johnston
Vice President: Charles Burch
Secretary: Eugene Luque
Treasurer: Glenda Hogg

Our Goals for the Friends

During 2015, the Friends:
  • Contributed $20,000 toward renovation of the Civic Center auditorium
  • Funded the Summer Reading Program and other branch activities
  • Donated $5,000 toward books and materials for "1,000 Books Before Kindergarten"
  • Secured a Chula Vista Performing & Visual Arts grant for "Swing Into the Library,"  celebrating extended hours at the Otay Ranch branch
  • Partnered with the South Bay Historical Society to develop a new exhibit for the Chula Vista Heritage Museum
  • Added 37 new members

The following goals have been established for 2016:
  • Recruit more members from the East Side,  expanding membership to 400
  • Conduct a fund-raising campaign, offering plaques on auditorium chairs
  • Apply for at least one grant
  • Host a community event or lecture
  • Advocate for more City funding for library books and materials.
  • Become more active on social media

Update to Bylaws

The Friends' executive board and chapters follow the organization's bylaws, which were updated in January 2014. Click here to download the current version.