Board of Directors
The Friends of the Belmont Public Library is a nonprofit, charitable 501(c)(3) all-volunteer organization dedicated to the active promotion, welfare and support of the Belmont Public Library and its vital role in our community. The Friends has a board of 21 members, elected annually.
Executive Directors
Kristen Carte-Smith, President
Prior to Kristen’s role as president, she acted as the Friend’s co-president for two terms. In 2018, she moved to Belmont from Santa Barbara, California with her husband and three sons. Kristen has over 20 years of curriculum writing experience for diverse educational systems in Hawaii, Utah and North Carolina.
Kristen acted as School and Teacher Services Manager for the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History and Sea Center. In that role, she trained, and developed program goals for museum educators and volunteers, and created a teacher lending library. Kristen also managed Santa Barbara’s community outreach program for docent recruitment through social media, and created a community outreach campaign promoting the library’s value. She has taught in private, public and charter schools; and has held academic administration positions. Kristen’s hobbies include tennis, golf, surfing, hiking and oil painting.
Pamela Delalla, Vice President
Pamela has fond childhood memories of the Wayland Public Library. “From the outside it looked like a castle and I was fascinated by the rotunda’s Renaissance-style design. The librarian always greeted me with a stack of beautiful books … I felt like a princess!”
Pamela moved to Belmont for its proximity to Boston and Cambridge not realizing the breadth of opportunities the Town had to offer for community value and leisure. Attending the Friends Annual Book Sale was a first introduction to meeting Friends representatives. Inspired by the Friends’ significant contributions to library events and resources, she joined the Board as Secretary in 2019.
As a volunteer, she has held positions as condo association trustee, membership chair for a city’s improvement society, and community coordinator for PTO-sponsored events. She has participated in numerous Toastmaster International meetings, and has acted as tutor/ mentor in the Cambridge School Volunteers program. Having a background in architecture, Pamela is currently a free-lance proposal and grant writer, and co-founder of the Belmont Social Book Club.
Cyndi Reitmeyer, Co-Treasurer
A lifelong reader and fan of libraries, Cyndi has been an active patron of the Belmont Public Library for over 20 years; she has been co-treasurer since 2019. “I love the sense of community I feel, being involved with the library’s diverse programs and activities. The librarians and staff are welcoming and engaging, and put a lot of effort into developing unique and fun programs. Over the years, the library has been a wonderful resource for my children and me.“
Cyndi has assisted with the library’s book sales and grounds beautification, and looks forward to serving as the Friends co-treasurer.
Directors
Stephanie Cahoon, Communications
Stephanie applies her experience as a writer and editor to the work of the Friends and the mission of the Belmont Public Library. She believes deeply in the power of literacy and the importance of building community. Stephanie attributes her love of books in part to her early days at the Miller Park Library in her hometown of Upper Arlington, Ohio. “I felt so inspired each time I went home with a tall stack of possibilities.” Stephanie is grateful to the librarians in the Belmont Children’s room who kindled a similar love of reading in her own four children.
“I enjoy working with our talented and dedicated Board and library staff. I’m amazed by the array of offerings at the library. I hope all of our patrons will check out the Events page regularly!” Stephanie is particularly fond of the Authors Series and the One Book, One Belmont project.
Max Colice, Communications
Originally from Norwich, Vermont, Max was checking out library books once he was tall enough to see over the circulation desk. Since then, he has been reading for pleasure and business nearly every day. Max moved to Boston in 2007, around the corner from the Central Library on Copley Square. There, he spent many lazy Saturdays browsing the stacks and borrowing new releases.
Max loves everything the library has to offer – so much so that he and his wife Meg were married in the renowned Boston Public Library. Their twins were born in 2011 and the family was soon attending story time at libraries throughout Boston and Cambridge. In 2016, Max, Meg, and their twins moved to Belmont and promptly obtained library cards, which they use often.
Max is a patent lawyer at a firm in Boston.
Diane Coulopoulos, Education
Diane views the library as serving many important functions, and affording access to all members of the community. As a Friends board member, she has been particularly involved in the One Book, One Belmont program and serves as chairperson of the Chenery Book Awards. Diane is a Professor Emerita of Psychology, and since retirement, has been a volunteer at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum.
Nancy Dignan, Book Sales
Nancy was invited to join the FoBPL as membership chair and was subsequently elected president for two terms. She currently organizes the Annual Book Sale and with Louise Halstead, oversees the FoBPL book sales including the Everyday Book Sale, pop-ups and dealer sales. Nancy served on the Belmont Library Feasibility Task Force, the Library Marketing Task Force, the Hiring Committee for a new Library Director and all Books in Bloom task forces. A Belmont resident for over 20 years, she has four children – two grown and two in college. In her words, “I love our library and have lately enjoyed accessing ebooks and during COVID-19, missed the myriad of programs run by the library’s talented and dedicated staff.”
Hannah Fischer, Education
Hannah and her family have been Belmont residents for over 20 years. In 2012, after hearing about the wonderful work and financial support the Friends provides to the library, she became a member, and began volunteering in book donations. The following year, she developed an elementary school book distribution system through which the Friends distributes hundreds of books to all six school libraries throughout the year. She served as co-treasurer from 2015 – 2020, and currently oversees the High School Senior Awards Program.
Hannah is proud to be a member of the Friends, an organization focused on improving the library and benefiting every member of the community. In her words, “The Belmont Public Library is truly a community center – a place where everyone is welcome, and where the possibilities are limitless. Not only can one utilize borrowing privileges, but the access to services at the library are incomparable. Where else can one meet a sled dog on one day, take out a book on surfing the next, and convene a board meeting for a local sports organization to cap off the week?”
Louise Halstead, Book Sales
Louise is chair of book operations for the FoBPL. She and her family have been Belmont residents for over 30 years. During her son’s school-age years, Louise organized classroom/school library visits and as a Friends board member, volunteered to be the liaison between the Friends and Chenery School. At Chenery, Louise purchased and distributed the books awarded by the Friends for the Most Improved Student, and Student of Excellence in Language Arts. Louise has also assisted at the Friends-sponsored library music programs.
Since 1998, the Halsteads have become eclipse chasers around the world. They hope to see their seventh eclipse in the United States.
Beatrix and Tony Kastor, Programs and Events
Beatrix and Tony were first drawn to the Belmont Public Library for their appreciation of the library’s director and superior staff. This prompted them to become members, and later board members of the Friends. Beatrix was drawn to the Library’s infant program which she viewed as a wonderful socializing experience for her grandson. She and her husband soon discovered that the library offered more programs than they had ever experienced; they are currently members of several groups. Beatrix has held executive administration positions in several large corporations and non-profit organizations. She speaks fluent (native) German.
Tony was raised in New York City. He holds an undergraduate degree from Rutgers University, and a Masters in Architecture from Columbia University. With 50 years experience practicing architecture and now retired, he is pursuing a lifelong passion for painting. Tony is knowledgeable in art history, and speaks Greek.
Leigh Kenney, Education
A mother of two young sons, Leigh and her family have spent countless hours attending our library’s wonderful events including musical performances, story times, and visiting museums as part of the museum pass program. When Leigh learned these and similar events were sponsored by the Friends of the Belmont Public Library, she joined to further the Friends mission of providing early literacy programs, and raise awareness of the many ways Friends supports the library.
“The library has done a wonderful job finding creative ways to reach out to families with young children to encourage a love of reading and provide access to books.” Leigh actively works with the board to raise awareness of the Friends’ valuable work within the school community.
Marie Mabardi, Programs and Events
Marie, a lifelong Belmont resident has fond memories of perusing books at the library. Having raised her family here, she continued that tradition with her two sons. Marie’s love of reading and appreciation for all the library has to offer inspired her to join the Friends. As a past president, Marie and her co-president, Elaine Westermark helped to identify strategies that would sustain the library’s value despite the 2020 pandemic. She and Elaine worked with the other directors to accomplish huge victories; the Friends’ achievements benefited both the library and the Town. Marie is delighted with the addition of new directors to the board, and hopes the directors’ accomplishments will inspire others in the community to share their talents.
Marie is co-founder of Great Getaways Travel, a women-owned travel management group in Boston.
Margery Staman Miller, Membership
“Being connected with the library through the work of the Friends has been rewarding and is a wonderful fit for me. I enjoy belonging to a new community of caring individuals who are also reading enthusiasts and lovers of books …”
Throughout Margery’s partnership with library staff and participation in the Friends Annual Book Sale, she realized that being a contributor to this organization’s efforts was a natural fit for her. Margery is actively involved in developing the Friends strategy to broaden its outreach to Belmont’s community. She is also helping to create a greater awareness of the Friends collaboration with the Trustees, Library Director and Staff. Margery has worked in conjunction with the Library Director and a small committee to examine the library’s marketing message and materials. She has also embraced the opportunity to co-chair the membership committee.
Margery has previously held faculty and chair positions for the Language and Literacy Division of a local university, and retired as a Professor Emeritus.
Robin Ratcliff, Graphic Design
Robin has always enjoyed libraries – visiting and utilizing them during her travels, years of education and raising her children. “Libraries are a wonderful asset for the community and offer something for everyone.”
A Friend of the library for many years, Robin began by volunteering her design services which she continues to provide. Robin raised her two sons in Belmont and currently lives with her husband Michael and dog Leo. She enjoys gardening, harvesting summer fruits, and taking hikes with her family and dog.
Robin has managed her own graphic design business, Fyfe Design, for 20-plus years. “As a designer, I enjoy creating visual communication that appears effortless. I value the printed page and the wonder, knowledge and delight it can reveal.”
Zhenzhen Zang, Volunteer Coordinator
Zhenzhen is the proud mother of a daughter who calls herself a ‘bookworm,’ and considers books and libraries as one of life’s necessities. Since moving to Belmont in 2017, Zhenzhen and her family have enjoyed participating in several library programs and activities.
Having benefited from life’s opportunities, ZhenZhen reciprocates with volunteering. She enjoys engaging with Belmont’s residents to spread the word about upcoming events and recruit volunteers. Zhenzhen has taught financial literacy classes to high school girls, and served on the Belmont Youth Commission for several years.
A quantitative analyst, Zhenzhen strives to research the best investment strategies for her clients. In her spare time, she enjoys ballet and music, her life-long interests; and world travel with family and friends. Her most recent and favorite destination is Rome, Italy.
Mary Stearns, Trustees/ Friends Liaison
Now in her third term on the library’s Board of Trustees, Mary was first elected in 2016. As a former Friend’s co-president, she guided the Board of Directors in acquiring the organization’s 501(c)(3) non-profit status. During her term, the board procured a bulk mailing permit thereby reducing budget expenses. Due to the organization’s increase in size, Mary also worked with the Directors in updating the Friends by-laws and other administrative documents.
In Mary’s words, “Our [library’s] establishment within the Minuteman Library Network and the Commonwealth Catalog is our conduit to a wealth of resources.” Mary sees the library as an essential technology-focused resource to community sustainability. “In today’s world we all need to gain and maintain our technological literacy; the Belmont Public Library offers great support to that end.”
Mary lectures in forensics at Tufts University. Her course, Engineering Forensics, focuses on how human error and poor designs can lead to accidents and near-accidents.
Lauren Pfendner, Library/ Friends Liaison
Lauren has 20 years’ experience assuming positions in library administration, circulation, reference, programming, digital collections, and special collections/digital archives. Her desire to work in a busy, well-supported library among a host of professionals was a huge motivating factor in joining the staff of the Belmont Public Library.
A native Philadelphian, Lauren came to Belmont in 2019 after having served as the director of a small Metrowest library. While there, she streamlined workflows to improve efficiency, and provide focus on programming and collection development for staff. Keeping abreast of trends that reinforce the library’s role in our community keeps her loving and engaged in public librarianship today.
Outside of the library, Lauren enjoys cross stitch, puzzles, live music of all varieties and spending time with her husband and cat.