Ruvette Coelho

A student by profession, Ruvette, has lived in Pickering and been a proud member of the Pickering Public Library since she arrived in Canada ten years ago. She is a University of Toronto Science graduate currently working on a second degree in Radiation Therapy. She was a member of the Teen Advisory Group at the Pickering Public Library at its inception. Ruvette has been an active member of her community and university by volunteering and working with various causes.
Lastly, Ruvette thinks that the Pickering Public Library is awesome!

Mary K Anderson

Mary K. Anderson has been a resident of Pickering for over 25 years. Mary K. is a strong believer in volunteerism and community service. During her 35 years as an educator she strived to impart this philosophy to her students. Mary K’s main focus in community service has centered around the Canadian women’s organization IODE. The organization’s focus on education and assisting those in need related well to her interests.Mary K. has served and is serving in an executive capacity at all three levels of the organization, Primary, Provincial and National. Upon completion of a three year term as president of IODE Toronto, Mary K. initiated a literacy program, “Own A Book Share A Book”, with the TDSB. The program provides quality books to Kindergarten students and classrooms in schools designated in need of additional support. This program is strongly supported by the members of IODE Toronto. As a member of the Pickering Library Board Mary K. continues to strive to make a difference in her community. Mary K.’s other interests are reading Victorian mysteries, water colour painting and spending time with her son and friends.

Councillor Kevin Ashe

City Councillor Ward 1.

Councillor Kevin Ashe has been a resident of Pickering for over 43 years. Kevin’s family has been involved in politics in Pickering for over 40 years with his father, George, serving as the first Mayor of the then Town of Pickering in 1973.
Kevin first served on City Council from 2003 - 2006 and has returned for the 2010 - 2014 term representing the residents of Ward 1.
Prior to sitting on City Council, Kevin served as a Trustee on the Durham Catholic District School Board representing Pickering from 1985 to 1997 and served as Chair of the Board in 1994. Kevin also served on the Board of Directors of the Ontario Catholic School Trustees Association from 1991 to 1997.
Kevin was a member of the Durham Region Police Services Board from 1997 to 2003 and served as Vice Chair in 2001 and 2002.
Councillor Ashe believes in community involvement and has previously served on the Boards of the Rouge Valley Health System Foundation, Ajax Pickering Big Brothers and Sisters, and the Ajax Pickering United Way. Kevin is also an active member of the Rotary Club of Whitby Sunrise since 1988.
Kevin has his own business in Pickering, where he offers consulting advice to employers on Employee Benefits.

Councillor Doug Dickerson

City Councillor Ward 2. More information will be available shortly.

Brian James

Brian is proud to be able to call Pickering home for his entire life. After attending high school he earned a Bachelor's Degree at Trent University, a Bachelor of Education at Queen's University and is currently working towards a Master's degree at the University of Toronto. He has helped finance his education through occupations in a wide variety of fields including full-time student advocacy, park maintenance and the culinary industry, the latter inspiring a passionfor cooking.

Brian comes from a family that has a tradition of volunteering and helping in the community. He looks forward to continuing that tradition by advocating for the library and the residents of the City of Pickering.

Candace Julien

Board members have been appointed for the new term. More information will be available shortly.

Afsar Naqvi

Afsar is an Accountant by training and has lived in Pickering since 1991 with his wife and daughters. As an active member of the community, he has been involved with numerous projects and fund-raising events sponsored by the Rotary Club of Pickering. Afsar has been the President of the Rotary Club of Pickering for the year 2006-07 and then again for the year 2007-08. He is a big supporter of the Durham West Art Centre, the Pickering Museum Village, the Herizon House Women Shelter, the Rouge Valley Health System - to name a few.

He and his family use the library facilities here on a regular basis and they believe it plays a very significant role in this vibrant community.

John Sabean

A historian by training and a freelance writer, editor, and researcher by profession, John has had a huge commitment to libraries over the years. He is also active in the community as a volunteer especially in the areas of heritage and the arts.

Alexander Shanahan

Alexander has been a Pickering resident for 3 years. He is a strong believer in public service and community involvement, joining the Library Board primarily to give back to the community. He believes that the library programs that are aimed at children help create a foundation for the journey of life-long learning and an appreciation of books. He holds a degree in psychology and history and a degree in education and currently instructs adult learners. Alex and his family visit the library regularly, particularly the children’s section.

Shirley Van Steen

Shirley has over 30 years of experience at the federal, provincial and municipal levels of government. She retired in late 2007 as Director of Housing Services with the Region of Durham and now works as a housing consultant and community volunteer. She believes that libraries are an important community service and encourages all residents to make use of the excellent programs and resources that our local libraries provide.

Contact the Library Board

Contact the Library Board

Becoming a Member of the Library Board

Library Board members are appointed by Council either after an election or when a Board seat becomes vacated.
Advertisements of such vacancies are posted on the Library and city web sites, and are posted in the News Advertiser.

Interested citizens must submit their applications to the City Clerk.

To determine suitability for the role, candidates are encouraged to read the Board's policies which include a Board Job description, and Cut to the Chase (a quick reference guide for Ontario Public Library Board members)

Library Board Meetings

Monthly Board Meetings (10 per year required by the Public Libraries Act).

The Board normally holds its regular public meetings on the fourth Thursday of each month at 7:00 P.M. except July and August when no meeting is usually scheduled, and December when an alternative, pre-Christmas date is scheduled.

All meetings are held at the Central Library except where indicated. See the Calendar for times and locations. For past year, see last year's Library Board Minutes