News
Helen Plum Library Foundation Announces New Role for Outgoing President, Elects New Officers and Board Members
December 17, 2024 – The Helen Plum Library Foundation (HPLF) recently announced that board president Mary Marshall has resigned as president, but will continue to serve in the role of president emerita for a period of two years. Marshall, a retired librarian and member of the Yes Helen Referendum Team, began her tenure as president in 2015 and helped lead the organization’s transition into a 501(c)(3) foundation.
“I’m so proud of the many ways the Foundation supported the library to fulfill its 20-year dream of moving into a new home,” said Marshall. “Looking ahead to the new programs and projects under consideration, I’m confident we’ve laid the groundwork for HPLF to continue supporting the library for years to come,“ Marshall said.
The Foundation also announced it has elected a new board president, Raleigh Floyd Jr, to serve a three-year term. Floyd joined the board as a director in 2023.
“I want to tap into the creativity and enthusiasm many Lombard residents have for the Library’s mission and their desire to get involved to help the library reach its goals,” Floyd said. “Finding ways to provide new and unexpected programming for the community and funding options for the library will be major priorities for my tenure as president,” Floyd said.
The board also elected Cory Gapstur to serve as vice president. Gapstur has been a director since 2019. He replaces outgoing vice president Val Marshall, who will remain on the board as a director.
Additionally, the board elected Brigitte Baur to the board as a director. Baur rejoins the board, having served previously from 2019 until March, 2024. Mark Geiger, an active library volunteer and supporter, was also elected to serve a three-year term as HPLF Director.
All announcements were effective as of the board’s annual meeting on October 28th.
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Since 2015, the Helen Plum Library Foundation has supported the library’s mission by working to meet the wishes of the community and library that fall outside the library’s budget. From technology to programs and collections, to services, the building and grounds, our goal is to help fund the future so the library can focus on what’s needed today.
Summer 2024: Foundation Supports Grow a Reader
The Foundation helped support a new reading program at Plum.
The best way to grow a reader entails more than just reading. The Helen Plum Library created two challenges to track the number of books read, completing fun activities, and celebrating along the way. Two age groups are involved – Seedlings: ages birth-2 years, and Bookworms: ages 3-5.
To learn more about Grow a Reader or to sign up your family, visit this library page.
April 2023: Helen Plum Library Grand opening
The new library building opened April 22, 2023. The Helen Plum Library Foundation handed out goody bags. These photos show some of the Foundation directors at the Grand Opening.
Come enjoy our new Helen Plum library!
April 2019: DuPage Human Race
The Helen Plum Library Foundation participated in its first DuPage Human Race for Charity on April 27, 2019. We had eleven board members, library staff, and patrons participate. Although the weather wasn’t the best (we beat the snow storm by a few hours), we enjoyed ourselves and raised money for the foundation.
November & December 2018: Christmas Mart & Jingle Bell Jubilee
As one of our first fundraisers, the Library Foundation participated in the Lombard Christmas Mart and the Jingle Bell Jubilee. We sold book themed baskets created with donated books, small items, and gift certificates. We were very pleased with the opportunity to promote and raise funds for the Library Foundation. 