![The Friends of the Marina Library (FoML) logo](https://friendsofthemarinalibrary.org/wp-content/uploads/foml-logo-mbw.png)
The Friends of the Marina Library (FoML) is comprised of 400 community members and business owners who support our Marina Branch Library.
Membership fees help us purchase books and materials for the Marina Library, enhance the building and grounds, and sponsor programs that the community enjoys. Carrying a library card is not the same as being a member of The Friends of the Marina Library. We want you to do both. If you are not already a member, please join us!
We would love you to join us to show your support, and, if you wish, to volunteer to help us plan and manage programming for the library.
FoML supports the financial needs of the library branch and staff and organizes programming that makes the Marina Library a center for learning, entertainment, and socializing. The Friends is all-volunteer (no staff). Our board meets monthly to set priorities for the organization. Committees address specific priorities: Children’s Programming, Adult Programming, Book Sales, Concerts, Publicity, Fundraising. We raise funds for library enhancements and programs through our bookstore (Friends’ Community Bookstore), through our quarterly book sales at the library, and through our memberships.
If you wish to serve on a committee, on the FOML Board, or just give us your suggestions, please contact Dana Cleary, President at cleahoff@gmail.com or cell: 831-682-8016.
Board meetings are held the 4th Wednesday of most months from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Zoom. If you wish to attend a meeting, we would welcome you as a guest. Call Dana Cleary at (831) 682-8016 to make arrangements.
By-Laws of The Friends of the Marina Library
Dana manages development/construction for CHISPA, Inc. a nonprofit developer of affordable housing. Served on the Larger Library Committee that raised funds for library land purchase and passed the bond that funded construction of the Marina Library. Dana served on Marina Planning Commission and Marina City Council. She also is a Marina Tree and Garden Club board member.
Mia Nguyen is a new resident of beautiful Marina. She has worked decades in finance for various companies. Past volunteer experiences include working at the Humane Society, charity walks and food bank activities. Mia is a Marina Recreation and Cultural Services Commissioner and she serves on the Marina General Plan Advisory Committee.
Serving on the FoML board complements her desire to foster a fun and safe space for individual expressions and human connections. Mia looks forward to assisting with and creating programs that promote volunteerism, education, art and entertainment for people of all backgrounds through the Marina Library.
Moira has been a Marina resident since 2004. She serves as the office administrator for an economic development nonprofit in Monterey County. In Southern California she spent 15 years as an executive search consultant and before that as marketing coordinator for A.T. Kearney, an international management consulting firm for nine years. Moira has served on the FoML since 2005 in every officer role.
Before moving to Marina, Marylou worked as a certified public accountant for 25 years in Los Angeles, the SF Bay Area, and the San Joaquin Valley. Following a life-long passion to teach, Marylou began a new career as an elementary school teacher in 2005. After 17 years teaching, she is now happily retired and brings her skills to The Friends of the Marina Library.
Gail has been a Marina resident since 1988. Retired after twenty-two years working on environmental cleanup of Fort Ord, serving as the BRAC environmental coordinator and the Army’s BRAC representative to the Fort Ord Reuse Authority. Gail serves on the boards of Marina Youth Arts and serves as co-manager of the Friends’ Community Bookstore.
A Seaside High School graduate, Loujeanne received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Occupational Therapy from San Jose State University. Worked as an Occupational Therapist at Natividad Medical for almost 10 years before transitioning to the home health setting with the Central Coast Visiting Nurses Association, where she’s worked at now for 14 years.
In addition to serving on FoM Board, Loujeanne is a team parent and a member of parent booster clubs for athletic daughters! . She also volunteers for the Big Sur Marathon and the Monterey Bay Half Marathon.
Elisabeth has been a Marina resident since 1961. MPUSD Instructional Aide for 23 years. American Legion board member since 1981. Treasurer for Marina-in-Motion. Volunteer at the Major General William H. Gourley VA-DoD Outpatient Clinic in the Marina Dunes. Member of Marina Youth Arts. Volunteer at St. Jude’s Church. Received Marina Foundation’s 2015 Woman of the Year Award.
Tamara worked in the education field for eight years in many different capacities. She and her husband moved to the Monterey area from Chandler, Arizona nine years ago to start their family. She began visiting the Marina library with her children to enjoy the preschool story time that the library offered. Her children have spent so much time at the library over the years that it feels like a second home. Currently Tamara is pursuing her California teaching credential, taking classes in American Sign Language, and caring for the newest addition to their family.
Melissa is the Head Librarian for the Marina Library Branch since 2019. She grew up in small, rural town in the Central Valley, where she observed that the library was one of the first opportunity for self-directed education for her immigrant parents. She previously worked as branch supervisor for the Kern County Library and as branch supervisor of the Cesar Chavez branch of the Salinas Public Library.
Sophiyah is a junior at Marina High School. She is president of the Marina High School Key Club, and she organizes her members to help manage our monthly Dads Read Program.
Jadyn is a Marina native who found FoML through her love of the Marina Library. After years of visiting the library, she became a volunteer at the Friends’ Community Bookstore. Currently, she works for a textbook publishing company and cultivates her love for the community through nonprofit advocacy. She has just relocated to San Jose for her job. Jadyn’s family owns and manages Marina Tire and Auto Repair.
Gabriel Medina-Kim is a graduate student and educator enjoying the fog in Marina. Although Gabriel moved to the area in 2022, Marina has been a place of healing, grieving, and family throughout their life. His studies and university teaching focuses on computer science, including introductory programming and the social dimensions of computer science. Gabriel organizes FOML’s brick donation program.
A resident of Monterey County since 1996, Terri retired after teaching at CSU Monterey Bay for 18 years. She has been a volunteer for the Friends of the Marina Library since 2016 and currently serves as co-manager of Friends’ Community Bookstore.