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Library Board of Trustees

The Board of Trustees of Washoe County Library System is appointed by the Washoe County Commissioners in accordance with NRS 379.022, and is responsible for governing the operations of Washoe County Library System. The Library Board appoints the Library Director and evaluates his or her performance, helps set library goals and objectives, approves policies, monitors the Library's finances, evaluates the Library's overall effectiveness, and advocates for the library in the community. You can see the board's bylaws here.

Ann Silver, Chair

ASilver@washoecounty.gov

Trustee Photo

Ann Silver was born and raised in New York and found her way to Northern Nevada following graduation from Cornell University and Notre Dame Law School. She started her career working for Indian Legal Services in Carson City.

Following several years as Executive Director of Nevada’s Department of Employment & Training, she returned to New York City where she served as Sr. VP of Human Resources & Labor Relations before being promoted to the role of General Manager of Radio City Music Hall. She then moved on to lead Human Resources & Labor Relations for Compass Group, one of the largest food service and restaurant operators in the country.

In 2005, Ann returned to Nevada, led several non-profits including Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northern Nevada, and in 2016, became the first female to serve as CEO of the Reno + Sparks Chamber of Commerce in 98 years. The organization has grown to represent 2,200 businesses and non-profits that employ over 120,000 Washoe County residents.

Ann lives in Reno and spends free time reading, walking, and reading even more. Her first term on the Library Board ends June 30, 2026.

Tami Ruf, Vice Chair

TRuf@washoecounty.gov

Tami Ruf

Originally from the Bay Area in California, Tami moved to Reno with her family in 1972. Although she isn’t a true native Nevadan, she sure feels like one and has enjoyed growing up in west Reno. She graduated from Reno High School and The University of Nevada, Reno. At UNR she earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Geography and loves everything Geography related: maps, globes, people, cultures, architecture, food, history, geology, plants and animals!

Tami was an award-winning educator with the Washoe County School District and had the pleasure of being a classroom Social Studies teacher at Sparks Middle School and Reed High School and finished her career as a teaching librarian at North Valleys High School. Tami feels fortunate to have worked with the most amazing educators, administrators, and librarians in the school district. She retired in 2019 after 26 years of service and loves to stay connected with former colleagues and students.

Tami loves traveling with her husband and two amazing daughters. When she’s not making memories with family or experiencing new locations she loves to curl up with a good book, (or two or three) snuggle her two Saint Bernards, work on home improvement projects, and visit with friends. An avid reader since elementary school with a love for non-fiction, historical fiction, memoir, mystery, literary fiction, and thrillers, Tami’s ‘to read’ book stack numbers in the several hundred books. Thank goodness for the Libby app and a robust hold system at the library!

Her first term on the library board ends June 30, 2025.

Gianna Jacks, Trustee

GJacks@washoecounty.gov

Trustee Photo

Gianna Jacks was appointed September 2023. Throughout her life she has worked on a variety of government boards and committees as well as community volunteer activities. Gianna worked in real estate for 18 years and was in the United States Navy Reserves for eight years. Gianna is originally from Southern California in the San Fernando Valley, and has explored under the ocean from San Diego to Ventura as a PADI Master Dive Instructor. She’s a former Regional Toastmaster Champion and owned a coffee food truck before moving to Incline Village then Carson City and Reno, and has been a Nevadan ever since. Gianna and her husband own a local tax and business consulting company. Gianna’s hobbies include reading books, hugging trees, and hiding the TV remote from their three home-schooled children.

Her first term on the library board ends June 30, 2027.

Lea Moser, Trustee

LMoser@washoecounty.gov

Trustee Photo

Lea is a fifth-generation Sparks, Nevadan. She is also an alumna of Sparks High School and a two-time alumna of the University of Nevada, Reno. She has an MPH from UNR in Health Policy and Health Administration and a BA in Political Science and Philosophy. Lea served two years as a City Year/AmeriCorps member — an education based nonprofit/AmeriCorps organization that serves under-resourced schools in Boston and in San Jose. She is also a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer in which she served a little over two years volunteering in Botswana, Africa, as an HIV/AIDS life skills volunteer. Lea currently works full-time as an epidemiologist with the CDC Foundation, working in conjunction with the Office of State Epidemiology.

Her first term on the library board ends June 30, 2026.

Marie Rodriguez, Trustee

MLRodriguez@washoecounty.gov

Trustee Rodriguez Photo

Born into a bicultural family, Marie was born in the Pacific Northwest but grew up in Guadalajara, Mexico. She later moved to South Texas to live with her mother and attend high school. She is fluent in Spanish and grew up with 49 first cousins.

Marie’s first career was in the airline industry, and she relocated from Austin, Texas, to the Bay Area with a job promotion. Marie’s stay there was brief, and she and her family moved to Reno in 2000.

As a lifelong learner, Marie has pursued and achieved many of her goals. This has led to a 10-year airline career, four years as a medical technician, a 12-year career as a truck driver, and on to her current career with the Reno Police Department. Along the way she has also written for local newspapers and is a published author of four novels. She is currently working on a fifth manuscript.

Since making Nevada her home, Marie has actively sought ways to become more connected with her community.

Marie likes to travel with her husband of over 40 years. They have been to all 50 states. Marie also enjoys family time with their son and daughter-in-law, spoiling her grandkids, planting fairy gardens, and singing classic rock 'n' roll loudly and off-key while riding in her car.

Her first term on the library board ends June 30, 2028.  

 

Nacida en una familia bicultural, Marie nació en el noroeste del Pacífico, pero creció en Guadalajara, México. Más tarde se mudó al sur de Texas para vivir con su madre y asistir a la escuela preparatoria. Habla español con fluidez y creció con 49 primos hermanos.

La primera carrera de Marie fue en la industria de las aerolíneas, y se mudó de Austin, TX, al área de San José, CA con una promoción del trabajo. Su tiempo allí fue breve y Marie y su familia se mudaron a Reno en el año 2000.

Como aprendiz de por vida, Marie ha perseguido y logrado muchos de sus objetivos. Esto la ha llevado a una carrera de 10 años en aerolíneas, cuatro años como técnica médica, una carrera de 12 años como conductora de tráiler comercial y hasta su carrera actual en el Departamento de Policía de Reno. A lo largo del camino, también ha escrito para periódicos locales y es autora publicada de cuatro novelas. Actualmente está trabajando en un quinto manuscrito.

Desde que hizo de Nevada su hogar, Marie ha buscado activamente formas de conectarse más con su comunidad.

A Marie le gusta viajar con su marido de más de 40 años. Han visitado a los 50 estados. Marie también disfruta del tiempo en familia con su hijo y su nuera, chiqueando a sus nietos, plantando jardines de hadas y cantando Rock-n-Roll clásico en voz alta y desafinada mientras anda en su carro.

Su primer mandato en la junta de la biblioteca se extiende hasta el 30 de junio de 2028.

The Library Board meets regularly on the third Wednesday of each month, usually at one of the library's twelve locations. The public is welcome and encouraged to attend.

2024

2023

2022

2021

2020

  • 12/16/2020 - Agenda - Minutes - Virtual Meeting
  • 11/18/2020 - Agenda - Minutes - Virtual Meeting
  • 10/21/2020 - Agenda - Minutes - Virtual Meeting
  • 09/16/2020 - Agenda - Minutes - Virtual Meeting
  • 08/19/2020 - Agenda - Minutes - Virtual Meeting
  • 07/15/2020 - Agenda - Minutes - Virtual Meeting
  • 06/17/2020 - Agenda - Minutes - Virtual Meeting
  • 05/20/2020 - Agenda - Minutes - Spanish Springs Library - CANCELED
  • 04/15/2020 - Agenda - Minutes - South Valleys Library - CANCELED
  • 03/18/2020 - Agenda - Minutes - Downtown Reno Library - CANCELED
  • 02/25/2020 - Agenda - Minutes - Concurrent - County Commission Chambers 
  • 02/19/2020 - Agenda - Minutes - Downtown Reno Library
  • 01/15/2020 - Agenda - Minutes - Sparks Library

2019

2018

2017

  • 12/20/2017 - Agenda - Minutes - Sierra View Library - (Location Change)
  • 11/15/2017 - Agenda - Minutes - North Valleys Library
  • 10/18/2017 - Agenda - Minutes - Hard Rock Hotel (South Lake Tahoe) - CANCELED
  • 10/16/17-10/18/2017 - Notice of Possible Quorum - Hard Rock Hotel (South Lake Tahoe)
  • 09/27/2017 - Agenda - Minutes - Downtown Reno Library (special meeting)
  • 09/20/2017 - Agenda - Minutes - Sierra View Library - CANCELED
  • 08/16/2017 - Agenda - Minutes - Incline Village Library
  • 07/19/2017 - Agenda - Minutes - South Valleys Library
  • 06/21/2017 - Agenda - Minutes - South Valleys Library - CANCELED
  • 05/17/2017 - Agenda - Minutes - Northwest Reno Library
  • 05/03/2017 - Agenda - Minutes - Downtown Reno Library (special meeting)
  • 04/19/2017 - Agenda - Minutes - Spanish Springs Library
  • 04/19/2017 - Notice of Possible Quorum - Spanish Springs Library
  • 03/15/2017 - Agenda - Minutes - Sparks Library
  • 02/22/2017 - Agenda - Minutes - Sparks Library
  • 02/15/2017 - Agenda - Minutes - Sparks Library - RESCHEDULED
  • 01/18/2017 - Agenda - Minutes - Downtown Reno Library

2016

2015

Washoe County Library System Strategic Planning Process for 2022-2025

Download the Complete Strategic Plan 

Washoe County Library System began its strategic planning process in August 2021. In creating a variety of opportunities for the public and staff to provide input we can maximize the library’s resources to serve the greatest need of Washoe County. We created an online and paper survey that received over 775 responses.

We held eight strategic planning forums at most of our branches throughout the county. We provided an internal survey for staff to provide input as well as the Library Board of Trustees. The majority of our patrons responded as well educated (41% said graduate degree or higher), mostly women (78%), and mostly white (87%). This response is typical for most library patrons. Our survey response is consistent with our user base. However, it does allow us to reflect on outreach to different communities to make sure we are hearing from everyone. When asked how patrons use the library, the top four responses were:

  • Picking Up Holds
  • Browsing for Something New
  • Reading, Relaxing, and Hanging Out
  • Attending Library Events.

The services most important for patrons were:

  • Open Hours
  • New and Popular Books and Movies
  • Magazines and Newspapers
  • Events for Seniors
  • Events for Kids.

This response was also consistent when patrons were asked what services they would like to see expanded. One addition was the expansion of ebooks and downloadable audiobooks from our online respondents.

Using the survey, forum feedback, and staff feedback, our Leadership Team met over two weeks to discuss how to translate these needs into the following:

  • Stimulate Imagination: Enhance the Washoe County Library System’s Collection based on patron interest and proximity.
  • Provide Welcoming Spaces: Enhance the Washoe County Library System’s Spaces through renovations, spaces, furniture, fixtures, and equipment.
  • Workforce Building: Provide Workforce Training and Virtual Space Opportunities for a COVID and Post-COVID Environment.
  • Lifelong Learning: Improve the welfare of and provide more resources for Lifelong Learners and Seniors in Washoe County.
  • School Support: Ensure Washoe County Library System supports in-school children to help them succeed.
  • Celebrate Our Diverse Community: Ensure we are serving and celebrating everyone in our community.
  • Promote the Library: Renew Tax Initiative and ensure the library is financially secure.

There will be a specific time action plan to accompany this document. In engaging these initiatives, we will still maintain existing goals. Our last strategic plan had similar initiatives with Community Hub (much like Welcoming Space), Grow Young Readers (like School Support), Express Creativity (Maker Services and Technology Classes), and Know Your Community.

Just like growing an orchard, a strategic plan plants the seed and allows it to grow. Once matured, we can maintain it. This next phase will plant more seeds for our library to grow and meet the needs of the citizens of Washoe County.

Previous Strategic Plans

Annual Reports

Other Plans & Reports

Print

2022-2025 Washoe County Library System Strategic Plan Summary (click to download PDF)

Click the image to download the Strategic Plan and Summary. See the "Reports & Strategic Planning" tab for more information about our strategic planning process.

 

View more upcoming events

Read about our Expansion Fund renewal initiative.

The Wall Street Journal

Full access to the most recent issues of the Journal

Libby

Our digital collection features thousands of titles you can access with Libby

The New York Times

Complimentary digital access to The New York Times

Reading Challenges

Participate in all our reading challenges with the Beanstack app

TechBoomers

Learn popular technology, apps, and websites with a senior focus

Small Engine Repair Source

Detailed, user-friendly repair guides for all manner of small engines

NoveList Plus

Reading recommendations, series information, and more tools for readers

Mango Languages

Easy access to language learning . More than 72 languages offered.

LinkedIn Learning

Creative, business, and technology courses for in-depth learning

Computer Skills Center

Video courses to learn popular software and computer basics

1,000 Miles Project

The first-hand account of a 1914 prospecting trip across Nevada provides an engaging way to study history

WorldBook Online

With activities and a suite of research tools, it's more than an encyclopedia

TumbleBook Library

A collection of talking, animated picture books and ebooks for kids

Libby

Our digital collection features thousands of titles you can access with Libby

1,000 Miles Project

The first-hand account of a 1914 prospecting trip across Nevada provides an engaging way to study history

WorldBook Online

With activities and a suite of research tools, it's more than an encyclopedia

Brainfuse HelpNow

Live homework help, writing lab, test prep, and other student resources

Explora

Research resources and tools for students and teachers

STEAM

Science, technology, engineering, and art resources

Family Engagement and Literacy

Cultural and educational resources for kids of all ages

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Apps and Tools

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TumbleBiblioteca

Disfrute de más de 50 libros, libros de dibujos, y libros con audio para niños de todas las edades.

Referencia Latina

Texto completo cubre una amplia gama de temas dentro y fuera de la academia.

OverDrive

Colección de libros electrónicos y audiolibros descargables en inglés o español y revistas.

The New York Times

Acceso gratuito en línea al New York Times, tanto de forma remota como en la biblioteca.

HelpNow

Tutoría en vivo en español o inglés está disponible con Brainfuse HelpNow