 | | | Kathy Merchant Photo Provided
| | | | | | The Lafayette Library and Learning Center Foundation announced March 18 that Kathy Merchant, executive director of the foundation since November 2010, will retire from her position.
As a founding trustee, the first president of the LLLCF and a major donor, Merchant became the LLLCF's first executive director. Her leadership in the decade leading up to the opening of the Lafayette Library and Learning Center was instrumental in raising community awareness of the benefits afforded by this unique library and consortium partner model. In addition, Merchant helped secure the necessary funding to launch initial construction and the library's annual funding campaign.
Despite an economic downturn following the successful "Imagine a Place" capital campaign that allowed the library to open its doors, Merchant helped the board of trustees successfully reach its $4 million goal for LLLCF's "Open Doors, Open Minds" campaign to establish a sustainability fund in 2011. LLLCF provides over 50 percent of the library's total operating costs which supports longer open hours, enriching programs and the sustainability of the building.
Vickie Sciacca, senior community library manager said, "Kathy Merchant's dedication to the Lafayette Library has been a tremendous gift to the community. Her passion for libraries, her commitment to excellence, and her understanding of literature, art, and education have been instrumental in shaping the direction of the Lafayette Library for years to come. We are absolutely grateful to Kathy for helping the Lafayette Community realize, and not just imagine, such a place."
The LLLCF board of trustees has started a formal search process to find a new executive director, expected to be in place this summer; it will celebrate Merchant's contributions to the Lafayette community at a reception to be held in early summer.
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Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA