The Patron Advisory Council of the Washington Talking Book & Braille Library assists in giving advice and recommendations on practices, policies, and goals of library services to individuals who are blind, visually impaired, deaf/blind, physically disabled, or learning disabled. Council members serve as advocates in promoting and further developing library services.
The Council consists of no more than 15 members, of which at least two-thirds are patrons. Membership is representative of Washington State's general population and takes into consideration such factors as geography, age, service use, and patron characteristics. Members serve three-year terms and may serve a second consecutive three-years. Terms begin January 1 and are completed on December 31 of the succeeding year.
Membership consists of the following:
· a representative from the Washington Council of the Blind
· a representative from the National Federation of the Blind of Washington
· a patron with a learning disability
· a patron with a physical disability other than blindness
· a patron who is an adolescent or the parent of a child who is a patron
· a patron who is a veteran
· members at large
Please see the bylaws of the organization for further details.
Applying for the Patron Advisory Council:
Library users will be notified of openings on the council each fall in the "Reading Matters" newsletter. Applications must be received before November 15 of that year, and the Library Director and a Selection Committee made up of current Council members will select new members by the end of the calendar year.
The application is available in a printable Word version and the Online form.
Current Members (2011):
Sue Ammeter (Port Hadlock) - Immediate Past Chair
George Basioli (Edmonds)
Ryan Bondroff (Seattle)
Norma Jean Campbell (Richland) – Vice-Chair
Denise Colley (Lacey)
Frank Cuta (Benton City)
Michael Edwards (Fircrest)
Deborah Jenkins (Spokane)
Karen Johnson (Seattle) – Secretary
Kevin Larose (Tumwater)
Mike Mello (Seattle) – Chair
Mary Anna Mohrman (Seattle)
Janice Squires (Kennewick)
Alice Stephenson (University Place)
Emily Stevenson (University Place)
Archived Meeting Minutes