Our Friends Board is busy creating fundraising opportunities, providing funding for tons of other family orientated activities through the library at satellite locations throughout Downey, like at the Downey Space Center, Downey Theater and our local community Parks and Recreations facilities all over Downey for your enjoyment.
Our Board
|
President | Virginia
Virginia is a friendly, helpful, and caring person with an innate natural ability to lead. After retiring as a middle school teacher, she started volunteering in our Downey City Library tutoring in the adult literacy program. She helped adults to prepare for their citizenship test, students study for their GED requirements, and anyone who wanted to improve their English skills. Soon, Virginia was volunteering in the Friends Bookstore too. Not long afterwards she was asked to be the Friends Board Secretary. Today, Virginia is the President of the Friends Board, attending monthly meetings in the Library Advisory Board and Downey Coordinating Council. |
|
Treasurer | Veronica
Veronica taught high school English and adult ESL classes and also worked as a paralegal back when she contributed to her social security fund. For most of her adult life, she has had the privilege of being a stay-at-home parent, and even tried homeschooling until she discovered the Downey Library. Veronica soon sent the children off to public school and began spending her free time manning the bookstore. Even though the year was so long ago that it has melted away from her recollection, it is well documented that she has served on the board since 2015. |
|
Secretary | Star
After nearly 40 years working for UCLA Health and 20 years living in Long Beach, in January 2024, Star retired and moved back home to Downey. In between RV trips with her husband, dog and two cats, she supports three of her great passions - reading, healthcare, and animal rescue - by volunteering with the Friends of the Downey City Library, PIH Downey Hospital, and Best Friends Animal Society. Star's previous volunteer gigs have included dog rescue, cat rescue (including raising over 100 orphaned kittens), and park/beach clean-up. As an unapologetic space geek whose father-in-law worked on the Saturn V rockets, she hopes to volunteer at Downey's Columbia Memorial Space Center sometime in the near future. Publicity Director | Susan
Susan has been on the Friends Board for over 12 years. Previously, she served for 10 years as the Friends Treasurer. Currently, Susan is filling in as the Publicity Chair. She is a retired Downey Unified Teacher, spending many years as a kindergarten teacher and also having experience as a Special Education teacher. Susan volunteers with the OLLI Program at the CSULB Senior University. She is married to her husband of 55 years and has 4 children, all Downey Unified students, and 3 grandchildren. Susan served both as a Girl Scout and a Boy Scout leader. She is a former marathoner and was an avid hiker, completing 6 marathons and a hike to the peak of Mt. Whitney. |
|
Fundraising Director| Lenora
Lenora is our incoming Fundraising Director; she was raised in the town of Los Nietos, an unincorporated area of Whitter. In her youth she helped with the Summer Library reading programs. She is the first of 9 children to attend college and graduate from college. She attended Cerritos College and received 2 AA degrees, one in general studies and the other in Paralegal studies. She is married with two children. Lenora retired in March 2025 as a Judicial Assistant from the Los Angeles Superior Court after 36+ years of service. Lenora enjoys time with family and friends, loves gardening, outdoors, the wine country, reading and long walks around vineyards, open spaces, and water ways. Her passion is community service. She was a long-time member of PTA, Lions International, Downey H.S. Band booster President, volunteered for the Special Olympics, was a Spanish/ English translator for the Latin countries, and held various board positions at the district and club level both in the city of Norwalk and Downey to name a few. She also has a group called Angels Give flight who are her earth angels and assist her in fulfilling the gaps in Humanitarian/Community needs of families. She was previously on the library advisory board and a member of the Friends of the Downey Library. Lenora is one who does Gods will and takes on projects that come across her unexpected path. Two such projects were raising funds to pay for a prosthetic eye for a Downey resident and purchasing a mobility chair for another. She has volunteered and gathered volunteers to assist in the City of Downey’s One Day of Service, Library events, GOOD backpack program, and has sponsored/hosted the prize walk for the Parks and Recreation Programs at Golden Park. One of her dream projects is to create a children’s garden and reading/play area. |
|
Bookstore Director | Ramie
Ramie is a dedicated volunteer with the Friends of the Downey City Library, helping support library programs, events, and initiatives that enrich the Downey community. She enjoys her volunteer work because she is passionate about strengthening access to educational resources and lifelong learning for all. Ramie values the library as a vibrant space where people can connect, share ideas, and build meaningful community connections. |
Mascot | Dewey the Cat
Our Dewey is not related that famous cat of Spenser, Iowa.
A long time Friend, past board member and cat lover named our Dewey long ago.
Nowadays, you can see Dewey on Li'l Libraries around town, in our bookstore, or if you are a member, on the Friends' very own custom library card!
Our Dewey is not related that famous cat of Spenser, Iowa.
A long time Friend, past board member and cat lover named our Dewey long ago.
Nowadays, you can see Dewey on Li'l Libraries around town, in our bookstore, or if you are a member, on the Friends' very own custom library card!