Meet the Board

Martha Linne  President

Martha taught first grade for 33 years before recently retiring.  A voracious reader, she loved installing a love of books in her students, and now loves having more time to volunteer with the Friends of EMPL.

Faye Cyphers  Vice President

Fay's motto for our Annual Book Sale has always been, "a book in every child's hand."  She has been working for the Friends for decades, as well as with many other local organizations and charities.  Recently retired from her position as Personnel Manager for the Tannersville Inn, she looks forward to continuing to serve her community and enjoying her beautiful sprawling farm. Elizabeth Kane Service Award recipient 2011.

Cathleen Conway  Recording Secretary

Dawn Migliacci  Treasurer

For more than 15 years, even when a stretched-thin working mom, Dawn still managed to find time to volunteer with the Friends.  An insurance adjuster and devoted beginning piano teacher, she brings the same detail-oriented precision to her much-appreciated work as our Treasurer.  Dawn, a familiar face at the Children's Tent at the Book Sale, is responsible for all its logistics.  She is the very proud parent of two college students. Chairperson for Finance and Budget.

Rikki Brodman  Corresponding Secretary

Rikki spent twenty-five years as Circulation Manager for the EMPL before retiring.  She views the library patrons as very special people.  Volunteering for the Friends still allows her to serve them in a different capacity.  Chairperson for the Cultural Committee. 

Sandy Eckard

Sandy is a newer member of the Friends and is always enthusiastic about contributing to literacy, as she is an avid reader and a learning specialist. Currently, Sandy is an Associate Professor at East Stroudsburg University who teaches writing, literature, and education courses. She is the director of the university's Writing Studio, where she and her tutors spend much of their free time talking about books!  Chairperson for Publicity. 

Norma Feuer

A life long love of reading was nurtured in Norma by her mother and older sister.   A former New York City Library volunteer, and currently also active with Voter participation in local government, she brings business acumen and strong people skills to the Friends. 

Beverly Klienle

Beverly retired in 2006 after 27 wonderful years teaching reading and language arts to 6-9th graders.  At the happy center of her life are her husband, three children and four grandchildren.  Volunteering for Quiet Valley Living Historical Farm, MCHA, PASR, and the Friends of the EMPL affords her the opportunity to give back to the community and stay out of the rocking chair.  Chairperson for Friends mailing.

Andres Pedraza

Andy is an IT professional with over 25 years experience in the IT Corporate world.  Some time back, he discovered the joy of giving back to his community, which he does as a volunteer firefighter, volunteer EMT, and by providing pro-bono IT services to causes he believes in.  A lifelong love of reading and appreciation of our Library, led Andy to offer his services to the Friends of the EMPL to develop their website. 

Nancy Pullo

Nancy was a Reading Specialist with the Stroudsburg and East Stroudsburg school systems for 34 years.  Reading has always been a favorite pastime, and since retiring has enjoyed working as a book sorter for the Annual Book Sale and being more active with the Friends.

Pat Reinert

Pat retired in 2005 after 35 years with the Department of Public Welfare. The following year she volunteered at our Annual Book Sale, and became "hooked on books".  Today, Pat oversees the logistics of the sale, and when not managing the year-long book donation and sorting process, she's out playing golf or visiting her grown children and three young grandsons.  Chairperson for Book Sale Steering.

Noël Ruessmann

Noël believes passionately in the role of the public library in a vibrant community.  Her admiration for the Library's staff is reflected in her feature series for the Friend's Newsletter,  "Meet Your Staff".   She assisted in the development of the Bookstore Without Walls and the FriendsEMPL website, sharing her artistic background.  Friend's Archivist. 

Courtney Tolino

Courtney is very passionate about literacy.  She has a background in English and reading education and has always been an avid reader.  She became a member ot the Friends of the EMPL Board in order to promote and support literacy in the community. 

Robin Trainer

Robin has served on the Friends’ Board for decades, since her children attended the Library’s preschool story hour at the 913 Main Street building. She was involved in the successful tax referendum effort for a new Library, and served as secretary to the EMPL Capital Campaign that raised funds for the Hughes Building. With a background in software design and development for small businesses, she has been the editor of the Friends award-winning newsletter since the advent of Word Processing.  Chairperson for Membership.  Elizabeth Kane Service Award recipient 2007.

Kate White 

The Friends are delighted to have Kate, former President from 2005 to 2008, back on the Board.  Per Kate, "When I left in March 2009, I knew I would be back to finish my commitment to the Library.  It's an honor to rejoin the group."