Scugog Memorial Public Library

Board Members' Biographies

Bette Hodgins (Chair) is a consultant and a freelance writer/editor. With an extensive background in healthcare administration and a passion for continuous learning, Bette believes that the Library plays a vital role as a cultural, recreational and educational cornerstone of this community. Bette and her husband have lived and raised their family in Scugog, for the past thirty years.

Barry Grisdale (Vice-Chair) is serving his second term on the library board and holds the position of vice chair. He has served on the bursary committee, gallery committee and negotiation committee, and is currently on the Arts Committee and Building Committee. Barry is a firm believer in the positive role the library plays in life long learning in our community. He enthusiastically supports expansion of the library. He has recently retired from IBM after 34 years and has lived in Scugog for the past 24 years. He is married and has 3 grown children spread around the world.

Amy Caughlin (CEO) has been in the library profession since 1992 and has been privileged to work in a variety of settings all across Ontario including London, Toronto, and Pickering. Most recently, she was the Manager of the Markham Village Branch where she participated in an $11 million renovation and expansion project that she hopes will enable her to make valuable contributions to planned expansion here in Scugog. Amy has experience in strategic planning, customer-centred initiatives, partnership development, organizational performance monitoring and web design which she hopes will assist in moving the library forward into the next exciting phase of its evolution. In her less than copious free time, she is also an accomplished jazz singer, editor and poet.

Tracey Coveart is a writer, editor and lifelong book lover. She has written 13 educational resource books for the Teaching and Learning Company in the United States, and her essay, "I am a Mother," was published in Dropped Threads III: beyond the small circle by Random House in 2006. A voracious reader, some of her earliest and fondest memories are of adventures in her local public library.

Bobbie Drew has served the residents of the Township of Scugog as Municipal Councillor since 2003 and has a long history of commitment and volunteerism in this community. Bobbie is married to Richard and together they have 3 grown children and 7 grandchildren. Bobbie served as the Scugog Trustee on the Durham District School Board for 12 years, has been active in the performing arts and many other groups and organizations in Scugog. As part of her Municipal duties, Bobbie is proud to be a member of the Library Board having been an advocate and instrumental in raising funds for the current library building in the capacity of Chair of the "Friends of the Library" at that time. Bobbie now looks forward to exciting plans and preparations for the expansion of the library and brings complete dedication to the objectives of the Library and its Board. Bobbie remains committed to making Scugog a better place to live, work, play and visit.

Connie Jamieson - A resident of Scugog for 34 years, Connie appreciates library programs and services that have supported her roles of parent, human resources manager and freelance writer. Connie believes the library remains a key community resource for lifelong learning and leisure activity.

Ken Reimer has over 20 years of experience working for a large municipal government. Prior to joining the Library Board, he has been involved in several initiatives in Scugog in an effort to better the community. Ken believes that our Library provides a safe, secure learning and leisure environment for people of all ages and social backgrounds. He and his family have lived in north Durham for the last 10 years.

Betty Somerville is in the 6th generation of her family in Scugog Township and is very interested in the planning and continuous growth and development of Scugog. She has served for many years on the Kent Farndale Gallery Board as well as a long and continuous commitment and volunteerism to various Boards and service clubs in the community. She enthusiatically supports the expansion of the Library to better serve the needs of the growing community for lifelong learning, activities for all ages and leisure activities. She is employed in Health Care, married with two grown children and assists with owning and operating a farm in Scugog Township.

Libbi Hood is a corporate communicator with more than 10 years of experience in various fields, including pet food, auto insurance and publishing. Along with her passion for books and magazines, she has a new love for the joyous yet frustrating world of vegetable gardening. A relative newcomer to Scugog, Libbi is excited to be a part of the library expansion and all the benefits it can provide the community.

Georgia Brock has served the residents of the Township of Scugog as Municipal Councillor since 2003 and has lived in Scugog Township most of her life. Georgia has a background in teaching and believes that her organization skills and enthusiasm for Culture and Recreation will be valuable contributions to the Library Board. She wants to see all the residents of Scugog participate in an active and interesting community, and believes in service, information and communication.

Ashley Alexopoulos is the youth representative on the Board. She attends Port Perry High School and is active in soccer as both an athlete and a referee. Ashley is an aspiring artist and journalist, and hopes one day to pursue postsecondary studies in either area. She is excited about the opportunity to be a voice for the youth of Scugog Township. She believes the library is a very important part of the community and needs to have the right resources to serve and enrich its community. She looks forward to the expansion and all it brings.