Downtown Reno Elevator Replacement Closure
The Downtown Reno Library is closed for renovations to the elevator and is expected to reopen with limited services on Monday, December 18.

 

 

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Library Board of Trustees

The Board of Trustees of Washoe County Library System is appointed by the Washoe County Commissioners in accordance with NRS 379.022, and is responsible for governing the operations of Washoe County Library System. The Library Board appoints the Library Director and evaluates his or her performance, helps set library goals and objectives, approves policies, monitors the Library's finances, evaluates the Library's overall effectiveness, and advocates for the library in the community.

Frank Perez, Chair

FPerez@washoecounty.gov

Frank Perez was born and raised in Northern Nevada. A product of public schools, he attended college at Western Nevada College and the University of Nevada, Reno. He graduated from the University of Nevada in 2016 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science. Involved in local politics, Frank served under the Chairman of the Assembly Government Affairs Committee, Assemblyman Edgar Flores, during the 79th and 80th Nevada Legislative Sessions. Presently, Frank serves on the Board of Directors for Community Health Alliance and for Pinecrest Academy of Northern Nevada, and is a committee member for the Washoe County School District's School Naming Committee. Mr. Perez believes that everyone in our community should have access to high quality libraries.

Frank lives in Reno with his wife Lorena and son Mariano. His first term on the library board ends June 30, 2025.

Gianna Jacks, Vice Chair

gjacks@washoecounty.gov

Trustee Photo

Gianna Jacks was appointed September 2023. Throughout her life she has worked on a variety of government boards and committees as well as community volunteer activities. Gianna worked in real estate for 18 years and was in the United States Navy Reserves for eight years. Gianna is originally from Southern California in the San Fernando Valley, and has explored under the ocean from San Diego to Ventura as a PADI Master Dive Instructor. She’s a former Regional Toastmaster Champion and owned a coffee food truck before moving to Incline Village then Carson City and Reno, and has been a Nevadan ever since. Gianna and her husband own a local tax and business consulting company. Gianna’s hobbies include reading books, hugging trees, and hiding the TV remote from their three home-schooled children.

Her first term ends June 30, 2027.

Lea Moser, Trustee

LMoser@washoecounty.gov

Trustee Photo

Lea is a fifth-generation Sparks, Nevadan. She is also an alumna of Sparks High School and a two-time alumna of the University of Nevada, Reno. She has an MPH from UNR in Health Policy and Health Administration and a BA in Political Science and Philosophy. Lea served two years as a City Year/AmeriCorps member — an education based nonprofit/AmeriCorps organization that serves under-resourced schools in Boston and in San Jose. She is also a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer in which she served a little over two years volunteering in Botswana, Africa, as an HIV/AIDS life skills volunteer. Lea currently works full-time as an epidemiologist with the CDC Foundation, working in conjunction with the Office of State Epidemiology.

Her first term on the library board ends June 30, 2026.

Al Rogers, Trustee

Arogers@washoecounty.gov

Trustee Photo

For over 30 years Al Rogers worked in local government and education, where he gained an exceptional perspective about the community he has served and invested his time and talent on behalf of the citizens of Northern Nevada. As a leader, mentor, and volunteer, Al has acquired the contacts and background that solidify his position to serve on the Washoe County Library Board of Trustees.

From the day he started his career at Bishop Manogue Catholic High School, to his local government career with the City of Reno and Washoe County that culminated as director in the Executive Office of the County Manager with Washoe County, Al has taken on some of the greatest responsibilities that one could tackle in a public service lifetime — directing diverse programs that included parks and recreation, citizen and community engagement, legislative relations, government affairs, emergency management, county strategic planning, and budget and county commissioner support.

Al’s list of professional accomplishments is as long as the list of accolades that he has received for his volunteerism, and he is proud to have previously served on the Washoe County Regional Animal Services Advisory Board. When time allows, Al and his wife Roberta enjoy golf, his family life, as well working on home improvement projects and traveling the world. His first term ends June 30, 2024.

Ann Silver, Trustee

asilver@washoecounty.gov

Trustee Photo

Ann Silver was born and raised in New York and found her way to Northern Nevada following graduation from Cornell University and Notre Dame Law School. She started her career working for Indian Legal Services in Carson City.

Following several years as Executive Director of Nevada’s Department of Employment & Training, she returned to New York City where she served as Sr. VP of Human Resources & Labor Relations before being promoted to the role of General Manager of Radio City Music Hall. She then moved on to lead Human Resources & Labor Relations for Compass Group, one of the largest food service and restaurant operators in the country.

In 2005, Ann returned to Nevada, led several non-profits including Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northern Nevada, and in 2016, became the first female to serve as CEO of the Reno + Sparks Chamber of Commerce in 98 years. The organization has grown to represent 2,200 businesses and non-profits that employ over 120,000 Washoe County residents.

Ann lives in Reno and spends free time reading, walking, and reading even more. Her first term on the Library Board ends June 30, 2026.

 

The Library Board meets regularly on the third Wednesday of each month, usually at one of the library's twelve locations. The public is welcome and encouraged to attend.

2023

2022

2021

2020

  • 12/16/2020 - Agenda - Minutes - Virtual Meeting
  • 11/18/2020 - Agenda - Minutes - Virtual Meeting
  • 10/21/2020 - Agenda - Minutes - Virtual Meeting
  • 09/16/2020 - Agenda - Minutes - Virtual Meeting
  • 08/19/2020 - Agenda - Minutes - Virtual Meeting
  • 07/15/2020 - Agenda - Minutes - Virtual Meeting
  • 06/17/2020 - Agenda - Minutes - Virtual Meeting
  • 05/20/2020 - Agenda - Minutes - Spanish Springs Library - CANCELED
  • 04/15/2020 - Agenda - Minutes - South Valleys Library - CANCELED
  • 03/18/2020 - Agenda - Minutes - Downtown Reno Library - CANCELED
  • 02/25/2020 - Agenda - Minutes - Concurrent - County Commission Chambers 
  • 02/19/2020 - Agenda - Minutes - Downtown Reno Library
  • 01/15/2020 - Agenda - Minutes - Sparks Library

2019

2018

2017

  • 12/20/2017 - Agenda - Minutes - Sierra View Library - (Location Change)
  • 11/15/2017 - Agenda - Minutes - North Valleys Library
  • 10/18/2017 - Agenda - Minutes - Hard Rock Hotel (South Lake Tahoe) - CANCELED
  • 10/16/17-10/18/2017 - Notice of Possible Quorum - Hard Rock Hotel (South Lake Tahoe)
  • 09/27/2017 - Agenda - Minutes - Downtown Reno Library (special meeting)
  • 09/20/2017 - Agenda - Minutes - Sierra View Library - CANCELED
  • 08/16/2017 - Agenda - Minutes - Incline Village Library
  • 07/19/2017 - Agenda - Minutes - South Valleys Library
  • 06/21/2017 - Agenda - Minutes - South Valleys Library - CANCELED
  • 05/17/2017 - Agenda - Minutes - Northwest Reno Library
  • 05/03/2017 - Agenda - Minutes - Downtown Reno Library (special meeting)
  • 04/19/2017 - Agenda - Minutes - Spanish Springs Library
  • 04/19/2017 - Notice of Possible Quorum - Spanish Springs Library
  • 03/15/2017 - Agenda - Minutes - Sparks Library
  • 02/22/2017 - Agenda - Minutes - Sparks Library
  • 02/15/2017 - Agenda - Minutes - Sparks Library - RESCHEDULED
  • 01/18/2017 - Agenda - Minutes - Downtown Reno Library

2016

2015

Washoe County Library System Strategic Planning Process for 2022-2025

Download the Complete Strategic Plan 

Washoe County Library System began its strategic planning process in August 2021. In creating a variety of opportunities for the public and staff to provide input we can maximize the library’s resources to serve the greatest need of Washoe County. We created an online and paper survey that received over 775 responses.

We held eight strategic planning forums at most of our branches throughout the county. We provided an internal survey for staff to provide input as well as the Library Board of Trustees. The majority of our patrons responded as well educated (41% said graduate degree or higher), mostly women (78%), and mostly white (87%). This response is typical for most library patrons. Our survey response is consistent with our user base. However, it does allow us to reflect on outreach to different communities to make sure we are hearing from everyone. When asked how patrons use the library, the top four responses were:

  • Picking Up Holds
  • Browsing for Something New
  • Reading, Relaxing, and Hanging Out
  • Attending Library Events.

The services most important for patrons were:

  • Open Hours
  • New and Popular Books and Movies
  • Magazines and Newspapers
  • Events for Seniors
  • Events for Kids.

This response was also consistent when patrons were asked what services they would like to see expanded. One addition was the expansion of ebooks and downloadable audiobooks from our online respondents.

Using the survey, forum feedback, and staff feedback, our Leadership Team met over two weeks to discuss how to translate these needs into the following:

  • Stimulate Imagination: Enhance the Washoe County Library System’s Collection based on patron interest and proximity.
  • Provide Welcoming Spaces: Enhance the Washoe County Library System’s Spaces through renovations, spaces, furniture, fixtures, and equipment.
  • Workforce Building: Provide Workforce Training and Virtual Space Opportunities for a COVID and Post-COVID Environment.
  • Lifelong Learning: Improve the welfare of and provide more resources for Lifelong Learners and Seniors in Washoe County.
  • School Support: Ensure Washoe County Library System supports in-school children to help them succeed.
  • Celebrate Our Diverse Community: Ensure we are serving and celebrating everyone in our community.
  • Promote the Library: Renew Tax Initiative and ensure the library is financially secure.

There will be a specific time action plan to accompany this document. In engaging these initiatives, we will still maintain existing goals. Our last strategic plan had similar initiatives with Community Hub (much like Welcoming Space), Grow Young Readers (like School Support), Express Creativity (Maker Services and Technology Classes), and Know Your Community.

Just like growing an orchard, a strategic plan plants the seed and allows it to grow. Once matured, we can maintain it. This next phase will plant more seeds for our library to grow and meet the needs of the citizens of Washoe County.

Previous Strategic Plans

Annual Reports

Other Plans & Reports

Print

2022-2025 Washoe County Library System Strategic Plan Summary (click to download PDF)

Click the image to download the Strategic Plan and Summary. See the "Reports & Strategic Planning" tab for more information about our strategic planning process.

 

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