Meet the GPL-Foundation Board of Directors

The Gladstone Public Library Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization that provides support to the Gladstone, Oregon library community. It is independent of city and county government and is focused on the literary and cultural needs of the surrounding community. 

This foundation is directed by an eleven-member all-volunteer board consisting of members from Gladstone, Clackamas, Oak Grove, Oregon City and the central Clackamas County, Oregon.

The goal of GPL-Foundation is to provide the opportunity to all for lifelong education and development. We seek to not only help build the library and its programs, but also increase cultural awareness and pride in our community,  find common ground for dialogue, and interaction among one another.

The GPL-Foundation, with the help of the community via gifts and donations, provides the library and community with support not only for reading and education programs, but also provides opportunities for enrichment. These include the popular summer reading program, and cultural passes.

Katie Lewis Born and raised in the Willamette Valley, never straying too   far from the view of gorgeous mountains, Katie graduated Summa Cum Laude in   2009 from Washington State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in   Education. She later earned her Master of Science Degree in Curriculum and   Instruction from Portland State University in 2015. Mrs. Lewis teaches   children in grades K-5 reading strategies so they can become college bound   students one day.

Mrs.   Lewis served on the Gladstone Library board from 2008-2016, and the Gladstone   School Board from 2004-2006. Her siren call is for every child to have a book   they love to read, and find joy in literacy!

 Beverly Chase is a native Oregonian and resident of Gladstone since 2012. She attended Blue Mountain College in Pendleton. Her work history includes several positions at Sedgwick in the self-insured department, and in 2008 she finished her career at Poorman-Douglas in the bankruptcy department. She has volunteered at libraries since childhood because a godmother was a children's librarian. After retiring, she moved to Gladstone and volunteers at the Gladstone Library, then was appointed to the city’s Library Board. She serves as the liaison between the city Library Board and the Foundation Board. Reading is a passion of Beverly's and she belongs to three book clubs and hopes to help others develop a passion for books as well. Through her work on the foundation board, Beverly plans to help make reading more accessible to all Gladstone residents. 

 Colette Umbras brings her knowledge of libraries and passion for the Gladstone community. She is known for her organizational skills, clever ideas, and straight-forward thinking.  Colette has served her comunity in various ways and on committee over the years.

 Mary Accettura is a   resident of Gladstone for 34 years. Mary has been active in the community as   a parent and grandparent. Mary was a member of the GHS Fine Arts Parent's   Club for four years. Prior to serving as a member and officer of the local   PTA she was a board member and chairman of the Polk County ESD. She was also   a member of the Oregon Federation of Women's Clubs and a member of the Urban   Planning Commission of the city of Dallas. Mary retired in 2007. Mary is an   active user of the Gladstone Library. Six years ago she challenged the   fiction section of the library (old stacks) by selecting the writing of   authors whose last names began with "A" and continue through the   alphabet. Mary has both volunteered and chaired the annual book sale for the   past 13 years. 

Lani Saunders has lived in Gladstone for 11 years and is a native Oregonian. Lani is   a graduate of PSU and taught for the Oregon City Public Schools for 32   years. She also was a partner in a catering business and a partner in an   educational consulting group. Lani has been active in many political   campaigns and has volunteered for several nonprofits. Since retiring she has helped in several schools. Lani is a life long library patron and reader.   She currently belong to two book groups. Lani hopes to help make reading more accessible to all Gladstone residents.  Lani currently serves on our new library design committee and pledges to ensure our community will have the best library possible, creating an amazing place to learn, read, grow, and enjoy books.

 Linda loves her local library!  She is a very active member of our community, and the hostess of our benefit sales.  Linda brings her love of books to excite other about literacy and edify those she comes in contact with.   Linda also serves on the Gladstone Historical Society Board.

Margaret has served the Gladstone community in a variety of ways. From the Gladstone Library Board of Directors, a library volunteer, to Library Foundation member.  She has a fabulous green thumb, which helps her grow the many vegetables that we sell each year at our plant sale to raise funds for our future library.  Margaret currently serves on the new library design committee, and pledges to help provide input to create the best library possible for our community.

Shelley helps organize and keep up with the Twice Sold Tales at the Gladstone Public Library.

More to come about this amazing new member.

More to come about this amazing new member.