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July 14, 2020

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact: Donna Scott-Martin

donna.scott-martin@pgcmls.info

Public Contact: Shelley O'Brien

shelley.obrien@pgcmls.info

PGCMLS Foundation Announces Board of Directors

Largo, Maryland – The Prince George’s County Memorial Library System (PGCMLS) Foundation is proud to announce its new Board of Directors. Reestablished in 2020, the Foundation supports the essential work of the Prince George’s County Memorial Library System’s 19 branches and online library.

“I am grateful for the PGCMLS Foundation board members who are taking a leadership role to bring additional resources to the library system,” says Roberta Phillips, Chief Executive Officer of PGCMLS. “It is vital that Prince George’s County has a strong library foundation. Private support will expand our services to reach even more people in our communities with access to technology, books and materials, and outstanding programming for lifelong learning.”

The PGCMLS Foundation is raising funds to support many programs and services provided by the Library. This includes expanding the D.R.E.A.M. Lab, the digital resources makerspace at Fairmount Heights Library, continuing the “Authors for Truth” social justice and equality speaker series, supporting Summer @ Your Library, hosting the “Ready, Set, Read” program to teach digital financial literacy skills, and assisting the Library in meeting the daily needs of staff and customers. Learn more about the PGCMLS Foundation at pgcmls.info/donate.

About our Board Members

Linda Washington Douglas – Chair

After more than 38 years of federal government service, Linda Washington Douglas retired from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). In her last position with the FDIC, Washington Douglas advocated at national outreach events for minority and women-owned businesses, which resulted in numerous firms obtaining multi-million dollar contracts. After retirement, she launched the Washington Douglas Consulting firm. She is married and has been a Prince George’s County resident for more than 40 years.

Patti Kim – Vice Chair

Born in Busan, South Korea, Patti immigrated to the U.S. on Christmas, 1974. Convinced at the age of five that she was a writer, she scribbled gibberish all over the pages of her mother's Korean-English dictionary and got in big trouble for it. But that didn't stop her from writing. The author of “I'm Ok,” “A Cab Called Reliable,” “Here I Am,” and “It's Girls Like You, Mickey.” Kim lives in University Park, Maryland, with her husband, two daughters, and a ferocious terrier.

Tracy Simpson – Secretary

Tracy Simpson has lived in Prince George’s County since age 3 when her football player father was traded to the Washington Redskins. She was a student in the Prince George’s County Public Schools, and attended Prince George’s Community College and The Catholic University of America. Her professional experience includes work as a corporate manager, trainer, marketing content developer, and special events organizer. Simpson served as a therapeutic licensed foster parent for 20 years until the untimely diagnosis of her late husband with early onset Alzheimer’s and Lewes Body Dementia.  She remains focused on youth social development and the support of resources for caretakers and families affected by dementia. In addition, Simpson currently serves on her church Board of Trustees.

Ian Spears – Treasurer

Ian Spears is the Legislative Director for Representative Lucy McBath of Georgia and works on Capitol Hill. He started his work on the Hill in the Office of Leader Steny Hoyer, whose district includes portions of Prince George’s County. Spears is a proud Prince George’s native and he attended Riverdale Baptist High School. He obtained his bachelor’s degree in political science from Frostburg State University and his master’s in public policy from George Mason University. Spears resides in Largo.

Damon Austin – Member

Damon Austin is a librarian with more than two decades of experience in library and information sciences. He is currently the director of library and media services for DeMatha Catholic High School in Hyattsville and has held library faculty positions at the University of Florida and the University of Maryland. Austin serves ex-officio with the Board of Trustees of the American Library in Paris via the American Library Association. In addition, he is a professional tennis coach and player consultant, working with Top 100 ranked men and women touring professionals.

Karen Clark-Reddon – Member

A lifelong resident of Prince George's County, Karen Clark-Reddon is a proud graduate of the University of Maryland College Park. As a mentor and personal enrichment coach, she empowers adults and pre-teens to follow their dreams. Clark-Reddon is a serial entrepreneur who turned her passions into profits and founded Devonshire – A Perfect Events Company, LLC. She and her daughter Kaelyn co-own DBK Bath Bombs and soaps. Clark-Reddon is the vice president of the Friends of the South Bowie Branch Library.

Dottie Crecelius – Member

Dottie Meinhardt Crecelius has been the president of the Friends of the Baden Library for the past 12 years. She is a retired business owner of a building permit expediting company and very involved her family business, property management and investment group. She lives in Baden, on a farm in the southern part of Prince George’s County where she spends time with her husband, children, and grandchildren.

Antoine Lunsford – Member

Antoine Lunsford is an elementary school educator with Prince George’s County Public Schools and a children’s book author of the “Little Andy’s World” series. He is the host of “Antoine and Friends: Local Children’s Author Series,” a weekly virtual program for PGCMLS.

Roberta Phillips – Ex-Officio Member

Roberta Phillips is the chief executive officer of the Prince George’s County Memorial Library System. She assumed the role in 2019, having previously served as the director of planning and projects at the Richland Library in Columbia, South Carolina, library director for the Orangeburg County Library in Orangeburg, SC, and as assistant director of collection management for the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library. Phillips also worked as a school librarian and as a teacher. She holds degrees from Michigan State University and Wayne State University. Phillips lives in Brandywine with her husband Chris.

About the Prince George’s County Memorial Library System Foundation: 

The Prince George’s County Memorial Library System (PGCMLS) Foundation provides critical philanthropic support to the Prince George’s County Memorial Library System. It strengthens the Library’s capacity to innovate, adapt to change, and ensure our libraries remain a vital resource for all in Prince George’s County now and in the future. Our libraries are more than a place to find books; they are spaces–both physical and online–to empower individuals, strengthen families, and make our county a better place.

About Prince George’s County Memorial Library System:

The Prince George’s County Memorial Library System (PGCMLS) helps customers discover and define opportunities that shape their lives. The Library serves the 915,000+ residents of Prince George’s County, Maryland through 19 branch libraries, a 24/7 online library, and pop-up services throughout the community. PGCMLS is a responsive and trusted community-driven organization. Programs, services, and outreach activities serve booklovers, immigrants and refugees, job seekers, children, young professionals, seniors, and families alike. The Books from Birth and Ready 2 Read programs make the Library the primary source of early literacy education and Kindergarten readiness programs in the County. PGCMLS’ robust online offerings include curated content collections for kids, teens, educators, Spanish speakers, and more. Special programs include the D.R.E.A.M. Lab, STEM Pals, and 3D printing, which offer teens and lifelong learners with opportunities to learn cutting-edge technology and STEM skills for job readiness or personal enrichment. The Library’s Laurel Branch Library received the 2018 AIA/ALA Library Building Award and was designated the best new public building in Maryland.