PEOPLE: New on the Library Board

• Pat Jenkins, editor of The Dispatch, and businessman Daren Jones have been appointed to the Pierce County Library System Board of Trustees.

The five-person board sets and reviews goals, objectives and the annual budget of the library system and its 20 branches. The latter include locations in Eatonville, Graham, South Hill and Parkland-Spanaway.

Board members are appointed to five-year terms by the county executive and confirmed by the County Council.

“Pat and Daren’s professional experience and community knowledge will be of great value to the nearly 600,000 residents the library system serves,” said Georgia Lomax, the library system's executive director. “Their professional experiences and genuine passion for public service will complement our board.”

Jones, an Orting resident, is the president of Pacific Investing Inc., a management group for real estate. He has extensive experience in the residential and commercial real estate industry.

In addition to his work with The Dispatch, Jenkins is the program director of Senior Media Services, which publishes Senior Scene and Where to Turn as news and information resources for older adults in Pierce County and King County. Senior Media Services is a program of Lutheran Community Services Northwest.

Jones said the library system supports learning that prepares children for school and also helps "develop skills for adults in the workplace. The vast reach and influence the libraries have on individuals and communities is amazing."

“Libraries are the true welcoming place for all people and all interests,” Jenkins said. “I'm honored to be part of the community connections that the libraries foster.”