Board of Directors

The Library’s Board of Directors

The Keizer Community Library has an active and passionate all-volunteer, working Board of Directors. All share a passion for the Library and a commitment to its support. Board Officer positions are held for a one year term, while there are no term requirements for the general Board of Directors.

We are currently recruiting new Board Members. If you have an interest in learning about serving on the Board, please Contact Us. A Board Member will promptly respond to your inquiry.

Board Officers

President: Bill Leach

After a long career managing schools and other public facilities, including the Oregon State Capitol building and Clackamas Community College, Bill retired to become an award-winning fine art photographer and grandfather of four.
Favorite quote: “The two best days of your life are the day you are born, and the day you find out why.” – Mark Twain
Little known fact: Bill is a Vietnam combat veteran.

Treasurer: John Goodyear

John has 35 years as a manager and director of library systems from Indiana to Arizona to Oregon. He retired from Chemeketa Cooperative Regional Library Service in 2020.

Vice President: BJ Toewe

BJ retired from 39 years as a youth services librarian and director of Salem Public Library but still feels passionate about the value that a public library brings to its community.

Secretary: Chris Melquist

After a successful career in sales and keeping top executives on track, Chris now volunteers at three different non-profits and actively supports a fourth.
A Favorite Quote: “Remember, I’m pulling for ya. We’re all in this together!” – Red Green
Little known fact: Chris has spent almost equal amounts of her life in Maine and the Pacific NW. She jokingly refers to herself as “being bi-coastal”.

Elaine Goff

Elaine has a B.S. in Information Technology and a Master’s in Library and Information Science. She has been working in libraries since 2004 and has enjoyed living in the Salem/Keizer area for more than 30 years. In her free time Elaine enjoys activities with her partner such as hiking, vegetable gardening, and entertaining their three cats.

Paula Guiles

Paula has a lifetime of experience in education, including children with special needs, including those with hearing impairment, autism and learning difficulties. Her specialized training is teaching reading and language arts strengthens her understanding and love of libraries and the services they provide. She enjoys meeting visitors and patrons and loves to tell stories about their experiences in the library.

Mary Sasaki

Mary retired from a career in non-profit management, and before that, journalism. She is a successful grant writer, and all-around nice person. She enjoys travelling with her husband, Sam, and walking their cocker spaniel.

Betty Hart

Volunteering in the community is part of Betty’s DNA. Besides joining the Keizer Community Library Board, she also serves on the Keizer Fire District Board of Directors. She also serves on boards and committees of other non-profits serving the Keizer-Salem communities. She is retired from Northwest Human Services where she served as the CFO.

Libby Seil

Always an avid reader with a lively imagination, Libby pursued a career in Archaeology, working in California, Arizona, and Greece. When marriage & family put an end to fieldwork, Libby became a part-time Anthropology instructor at a local community college. She is now enjoying a new career in Real Estate.
Favorite Quote: “We have met the enemy, and He is Us.” – Pogo
Favorite Quote 2: “Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity.” – Martin Luther King Jr.

Lyndon Zaitz

Lyndon is the publisher of the Keizertimes, the community weekly newspaper in Keizer. He is now and has been a member of many community organizations including: Keizer Chamber of Commerce and Keizer Community Library.
A favorite quote: “My last square meal was a saltine”. – Joe Keenan
Little known fact: Two houses and two schools Lyndon attended in Salem/Keizer in the 1960’s no longer exist.

Johanna Allen

Johanna has been a member of the Keizer community since 2018. Although she grew up in the rural south, she loves the small town feel that Keizer offers it’s visitors and people who live here. She has a 7 year old son (her pride and joy) and together they love frequenting Keizer’s many parks and local restaurants. Johanna works within the Restoration Industry at SERVPRO of Salem West, and is also a member of the Keizer Network of Women (K.N.O.W.).

Favorite quote: “If I’m honest I have to tell you I still read fairy-tales and I like them best of all.” ― Audrey Hepburn

Little Known Fact: Johanna grew up looking forward to library visits like kids look forward to Santa Claus coming to town, it was a huge deal for her and her 5 siblings to load up in the old station wagon and drive 30 minutes to the nearest library, where she could get lost in all the adventures that awaited her outside of her little southern county.

Library Managers

Vicki Brammeier

During her career, Vicki managed information technology at the Oregon State Capitol, Department of Corrections and Marion County Health Department. She retired to enjoy her ten grandchildren and develop her quilting skills.

Favorite quote: “Outside of a dog, a book is man’s best friend. Inside of a dog, it’s too dark to read.” – Groucho Marx

Little known fact: Vicki’s father was an FBI agent who worked on the DB Cooper case.

Clara Lipetzky

In addition to her work with the Keizer Community Library, Clara works as a library media assistant at an elementary school in Salem and as the office manager for Children’s Educational Theater. Her favorite things include dancing, cuddling with her cat, traveling, and of course, reading!

Favorite quote: “With freedom, flowers, books and the moon, who could not be perfectly happy?” – Oscar Wilde

Little known fact: Clara spent two winters living in Viesques, Puerto Rico, and her cat is adopted from there!

Board Meetings

The Library Board meets on the second Thursday of each month, 6:30 pm. Board meetings are open to the public. If you would like to attend a meeting, please contact us at (503) 390-2370.

Board Meeting Minutes

Board meeting minutes are available, by request, at the Library.