New Cromaine Library Board Members Bring Experience, Enthusiasm

Newly appointed Board members Douglas Sargent and Mary Cafmeyer are real library aficionados with varied real-world experience.

Cafmeyer and her husband, Rene, have two school-age children. Going to the library usually is a family affair; her sons Cameron, 11, and Julian, 16, have participated in numerous children's programs at the library over the years. She still brings Cameron to get books or to attend library activities. Julian, a high school junior, volunteered at the library last year.

"Since I stopped working, my family and I have used the library much more," said Cafmeyer, who worked for Chrysler Corp. until two years ago. "I see how much it has to offer and what a valuable resource it is.  I used to buy books a lot; now (after she took a buyout), I get books and movies here."

Sargent, also a regular patron who is a veteran of the health care industry, said he goes to the library often, primarily to keep up with the various magazines and journals he enjoys reading. He values its technology options.

"I don't think people realize all the tools that are here. If you can get them in here, that's half the trick," said Sargent, who lives in Hartland Township.

Cafmeyere, a graduate of Lawrence Institute of Technology in math and science,  worked in various positions within Chrysler for more than 24 years, which allowed her to hone planning, goal-setting, testing, program management, budgeting, editing and presentation skills. After taking a buyout in 2008, she found herself ready for a new challenge, which she's found since being appointed to the library board in August. Cafmeyer, a Tyrone Township resident, serves on the community relations and planning committees for the library board and is board secretary. Her term expires in 2014.

Friend and neighbor Ann Springhetti said the appointment is a great fit for Cafmeyer, who she describes as outspoken and honest, but with the gift of tact.

"She's very passionate about whatever she gets her hands around," Springhetti said. "If I had a business and I wanted help running or directing it, she's the type of person that I'd like to have, because she jumps in head first and really makes a difference."

Sargent, who also is retired, brings 40 years' experience with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan to his new position. He and his wife, Anne, have three grown children: Amanda, 30, Evan, 22, and Steven, 41, who is Sargent's stepson. They also have three grandchildren. Appointed this month to fill out Rob Lammers' term through 2012, Sargent is practiced in management, setting goals, defining standards and measuring progress.

Long-time friend Kathy Kucharski said she believes the board will greatly benefit from Sargent's work experience and interests.

"He's interested in finance and making things run efficiently and in a cost-effective manner," she said.

Both new board members agree the library board's chief challenge lies in maintaining the current levels of service with a decreasing budget. Cromaine District Library Director Ceci Marlow attributes the budget reduction to decreasing property values, tax reviews at the local and state level as well as bankruptcies (such as General Motors' last year), which negatively impact property tax collection, the library's primary revenue source. In some instances, appeals have required the library to return funds already received, a trend that probably will continue.

"The prior board has done a good job at predicting and containing costs," Cafmeyer said. "This area, even with the slumping economy, is still growing. The library's services will be in even bigger demand in the future."

Cafmeyer and Sargent, who is also a community relations committee member, agree that keeping technology updated and getting the word out about the library's services are necessary to a bright future.

"Technology is changing daily," Sargent said, adding he's impressed with how the library has kept up so far.

Cafmeyer agrees. After her computer "blew up" recently, she said she was pleasantly surprised to find how up to date the library computers are.

The seven-member library board, which usually meets at 7 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month, oversees the two-branch library system that serves all of Hartland Township and parts of Brighton, Deerfield, Genoa, Oceola, and Tyrone townships.

Marlow is pleased with the appointments and the composition of the board, whose members are regular library users and geographically diverse. Each member is willing to carefully examine issues before making decisions and truly cares about the community.

"I consider this library board probably the finest that I've worked with," she said. "We expect them to represent the community in how they make decisions, and also to be forward-thinking. I'm pleased that the appointment process has brought us more board members who have a heart for (community) service."