Board of Directors

Kathy has an extensive background in the legal and real estate fields. After 34 years working in the legal field, she switched careers and began working in the real estate sales field. She’s been involved in various Friends groups in several states and California counties for over 20 years. Kathy believes in the necessity of local libraries and what they bring to the whole community and believes the fight needs to go on to encourage libraries to be open and available to all.

I became involved in supporting the work of the library due to my belief that the library is a great place to help stop book banning and to promote freedom of speech and a place for continuous learning for both adults and children.  

I am currently a volunteer with AARP Foundation Tax-Aide where I have been volunteering for 14 years which prepares taxes free for seniors and low to moderate-income individuals as State Coordinator.  I also volunteered with the Brentwood Neighborhood Committee for the City of Brentwood.  

 My passion currently is giving back to my community, where I can add value, for all the blessings I have been given.  Before I retired, I was employed by Chevron Corporation in various positions, including human resources, training, recruiting, Supervisor of Support Staffs and Executive Assistant to the Treasurer.  When I am not volunteering, my passions include travel, films, art, and flower arranging.

Kim became a big fan of libraries when she received her first library card at age 4. She has always had a love for reading and currently belongs to two book groups. She believes it’s really important to be part of your community and to contribute to the quality of life where you live. She moved to Brentwood four years ago after retiring.

Before retiring, she worked for the City of San Ramon for 25 years in the Parks & Community Services Dept. She wore many hats and oversaw all the city’s special events. She created the San Ramon Black & White Party fundraiser for the arts and the San Ramon Art & Wind Festival that served as an avenue for local nonprofits to raise funds by operating the food booths. There were countless other events she helped create and run. The library was always included so they could set up displays with books relating to the program subject or provide a volunteer storyteller for many children’s events. Prior to working for the City of San Ramon, she served as a civilian Recreation Specialist for both the Army and the Air Force. She found that while she was stationed overseas, the base libraries became her refuge.

It is her belief that libraries play an important role in communities and she wants to continue the Friend’s mission so that our wonderful library in Brentwood can continue to offer many great services and programs.

Pam has been a resident of Contra Costa County for almost 40 years. She moved to Discovery Bay in 2016 and joined the Friends of the Brentwood Library in 2018. She thoroughly enjoys the people she works with and helps to improve our community service. Over the years she has worked in various fields, such as being a bank employee, dental associate, self-sales, jewelry store design and management, and most importantly raising a family. She retired from Bank of America in 2013. Pam has been married to her wonderful husband Michael for 54 years. She has two daughters and four grandchildren.

Madeleine has enjoyed an extensive career as an educator. After teaching for many years, she became an administrator, serving as principal in three elementary schools. After she retired, she and her husband moved to Brentwood where they have lived for ten years. She has enjoyed being a member of the Friends of the Brentwood Library, volunteering in the Second Story Book Shop, working at several book sales and getting to know so many highly dedicated volunteers.

Madeleine has always loved libraries. She grew up in a small town and every Saturday, she would walk to the Carnegie library with her sister, to choose a new supply of books. She looks forward to becoming more involved in the work of the Friends’ and to actively promoting our beautiful library and the great variety of services and programs it provides for our community.

Elaine Penning co-manages the Friends of the Library Bookshop, overseeing operations and helping to support a dedicated team of volunteers. A retired educator, she spent her career working with children with special needs and mentoring new teachers. Before moving to Brentwood in 2021, she served as President of the Danville Friends of the Library, and she later contributed her skills as Recording Secretary on the FOBL Board. Her love of libraries and lifelong commitment to education, literacy, and community involvement continue to guide her in helping to support the Bookshop.

Sharon retired after a thirty-five-year career in finance and project management, primarily with Silicon Valley companies. Within those companies, she held management and executive-level positions. She currently holds several board positions, including, both District and State-level positions with the daughters of the American Revolution and several others that have to do with lineage and genealogy. She has been a resident of Brentwood for over 20 years. She previously taught adult-level computer classes, as well as genealogy workshops. Sharon is an avid reader, genealogy researcher, family and history book collector. She holds both a Bachelor of Science degree in Management and a MBA from Pepperdine University. She believes strongly that libraries are a great source for learning.

It was Walt Disney who said: there is more treasure in books than in all the pirate loot on Treasure Island.

Bill served as Associate News Director at the University of Chicago before moving with his wife to Brentwood to be near family. He is active in the Rotary Club of Brentwood and volunteers as a math tutor at Pioneer School.

Mary Ellen Fontana was a hospital administrator for 40 years. She joined the board of the Friends of the Brentwood Library to give back to the community by supporting the work of the library, which is integral to Brentwood.  Her mother and aunts were all very active library volunteers.

Diane served as a Librarian for Contra Costa County Library System from 1975 to 2016. Many of those years were served in a substitute position, as she worked as a teacher librarian for Liberty High School for 11 years, then spent 5 years at Heritage High School. She is a Past President of the Brentwood Library Foundation and served in various positions on the Friends of the Brentwood Library Board. She is also quite active in the Delta Quilters Guild and the Discovery Bay Lions Club. She teaches sewing and quilting classes at the library.

Linda is quite proud of the incredible volunteers working in the bookshop. They bring their life and career experiences to the volunteer team and customers. She loves that our customers benefit from the volunteers’ knowledge of books and authors.