Amanda (Mandy) Hazen graduated from the University of Oregon with a degree in Family and Human Services, moving into a career serving families. In her current position she ensures children and families involved in the foster care and judicial system are receiving the services needed through thorough reviews of cases, identifying gaps and barriers. She is passionate about ensuring people receive equitable services that respect the individual by meeting them where they are at, and sees the library as the most welcoming place for that to occur. Mandy’s love of reading started early in life and she credits it as fostering her interest in people and their stories. She is a big library user, both for herself and for her child who frequently checks out more books than the book bag can handle.

Born and raised in Eugene, Alex graduated from Sheldon High School and the University of Oregon, where he earned bachelor's degrees in finance and economics

Growing up, Alex was not an avid reader and was far more interested in anything to do with sports or physical activity.  Reading required a level of patience that had not developed yet.  It wasn't until late elementary school that Alex began to develop a love for reading, credited mostly to the release of the first Harry Potter books in the late 1990's.  

Outside of work and service to the Eugene Public Library Foundation, Alex and his wife Emmy enjoy golfing, fishing, U of O sports, and spending time with their chocolate Labrador, Jyn.

Hans moved to Eugene in 2000 to go to University of Oregon and graduated with a degree in Political Science and a Business minor. After graduation he started working for Summit Bank, where he has worked since 2005, working his way from teller to Treasury Management Officer. When he is not at work he volunteers with Habitat for Humanity, working directly with the partner families and their finances, and can be found every October pressing cider for the Mt. Pisgah Mushroom Festival. He also loves going camping with his wife and two dogs while exploring Oregon, or going for a bike ride around town. When not outside he is inside playing board games or looking for the next good book to add to the shelf.

Jenna Adams-Kalloch is an attorney in the government relations team at the University of Oregon where she manages relationships with elected officials and advocates for funding from the Oregon State Legislature. She is a Lane County native and UO alum who ventured to Brooklyn for law school. After ten years of working in New York City politics, Jenna returned to Eugene to be closer to family and raise her three young children. Jenna is a frequent visitor to the children’s section of the Eugene Public Library and appreciative of the evolving scavenger hunts and endless chapter book offerings. Jenna supports the library as a place of discovery and connection and also a safe, welcoming space for all who need it.

Chelle Haynes grew up in the Adirondack Mountains in New York before moving to Eugene in 2015 to attend graduate school at the University of Oregon where she studied law and anthropology. Chelle is an attorney at Gleaves Swearingen LLP. Her fondest childhood memories are rooted in engaging stories told through books, films, music, art, spoken word, and technology. Having grown up within the walls of her local libraries, Chelle is passionate about the role of public libraries as a sanctuary space rooted in curiosity, diversity, equality, and community building. On weekends, you can find her scuba diving, running, hiking, snowboarding, and spending quality time with her partner Michael and their two dogs, Oakley and Maverick.

Sylvia has dedicated her career to launching and expanding innovative social initiatives. Born and raised in Eugene, Sylvia left to pursue her undergraduate studies followed by two-decades in the philanthropic and nonprofit sectors in Washington DC, San Francisco, and overseas. She is currently the Eugene Chamber’s Homeless Initiative Managing Consultant, following five years leading the fundraising and volunteerism at United Way of Lane County. She also volunteers with Leadership Eugene-Springfield, the Ford Family Foundation, and with her children's soccer club and school. Sylvia comes from a family of educators and librarians, remembers spending countless hours at the Eugene Public Library growing up, and treasures reading with her kids before bedtime (preferably after a long day of hiking, traveling, rearranging furniture, or being anywhere near water).

Jenni is the Director of Sales, Inventory, & Operations Planning for Roseburg Forest Products based in Eugene, Oregon.

 She is originally from rural Ontario, Canada where she received a Bachelor of Commerce with a Specialization in Accounting from the University of Ottawa.

As a Certified Management Accountant, she was the Plant Controller for one of Roseburg’s Medium Density Fiberboard manufacturing facility in Canada for 8 years before relocating to the Eugene headquarters in 2023.

As an avid reader and new resident, Jenni started volunteering at the Eugene Public Library pulling books on hold to get involved with the community before turning her interest to the EPLF. Since arriving, Jenni has thoroughly enjoyed all Oregon’s offerings: coast line to mountains, music to food.

Jess Roshak grew up in Pennsylvania, where some of her most perfect childhood memories were spent quietly sifting for knowledge amongst the stacks of books at the public library. She received her B.A. in philosophy and political science from Boston University in 2001. During her work at the University of Pennsylvania earning her Master's in Education in her early years of teaching high school in Philadelphia, she came to see literacy as the most urgent social justice issue of our time -- and libraries as one of the key catalysts. She has devoted her career to teaching and writing curriculum that empowers some of the most at-risk students via skill-building problem-based learning projects.

Jess fell in love with Eugene Public Libary at first sight in 2006 and has been a devoted patron ever since, but especially of the Children's and Non-fiction sections. Currently, she is writing an online philosophy curriculum for young learners and advocates for appropriate structured literacy instruction for dyslexic children. Jess loves spending time with her family and has an affinity for so many things, including serving on the neighborhood board, playing the violin, public transportation, upcycling, design, travel, and breadmaking.

After about 40 years of working in the profession, Judy Reyneke retired from a very rewarding career as a Speech-Language Pathologist, having worked in over 15 schools, most recently in Triangle Lake School. Judy has three older children and two grandchildren. Spending time with her children and volunteering with the youth in the community have been her focus over the years. Judy now spends as much time as possible with her grandchildren. Gardening, touring waterfalls, spending time at the beach, sewing, fusing glass, and making crafts bring her enjoyment. Judy has always felt that all should have the opportunity to read and be provided with the skills to do so. Judy first joined the Friends of the Eugene Public Library about 12 years ago and now after many years as Volunteer Coordinator has now become Vice President. She looks forward to her time on the EPLF Board as the liaison to the Friends.

Renée Buchanan is an active member of the Eugene community. An avid long distance runner, she loves the many paved and unpaved trails the area offers. She loves the children’s room at the Downtown branch, where she spent many happy hours with her daughters as they grew up. She works for the Turell Group, where she conducts research for a wide range of organizations wanting to understand what impact they are having. In addition, she teaches at the University of Oregon in the Public Policy, Planning and Management program. Renée received a master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of Utah.

Pete moved to Oregon in 2017 to attend the Creative Writing (Nonfiction) MFA program at OSU. He and his family settled in Eugene in 2019, and they’ve been avid users of the library since their first days in town. Pete sees the library not only as a source of enlightenment and a playground for the mind, but an indispensable public oasis in a consumerist society. He works as a writer in the wine business, often from the lobby café or second floor of the downtown library. You can also find him embodying PNW stereotypes by running the Ridgeline Trail or roasting his own coffee.

Heather Kliever moved to Eugene from Medford to pursue her Bachelor of Science, Master in Arts and Administration, and MEd in Curriculum and Teaching from the University of Oregon. She spent twenty years working in the arts and culture sector, most recently at the Lane County History Museum. Heather is currently teaching at a local middle school, integrating her love of reading, history, and poetry into the classroom. She volunteers with her neighborhood association and local education advocacy groups when not teaching. Additionally, she has participated as an advisor for Poet Laureate Joy Harjo's Living History, Living Worlds teacher resource guide for the Library of Congress, and as a design model reviewer for the Smithsonian’s NativeKnowledge360. She looks forward to working with the UOTeach Sapsikwala “Grow Your Own” future Native teachers project each spring. Heather is Chetco/Tututni, Tolowa Dee-ni enrolled.

Originally from Albuquerque, New Mexico, Ashley moved to Portland to attend Reed College, where she received a bachelor’s degree in economics in 2007. She now lives in Eugene with her husband and child, where they own and operate a bottle shop/pub. As a family, they enjoy exploring Oregon and appreciate Eugene’s many community gatherings and offerings. For over 15 years, Ashley has worked for The Ford Family Foundation, where she serves as the Scholarship Programs Manager, overseeing policy development, implementation, and adherence as it relates to the scholarship programs, application, operations, and student supports. Ashley also serves on the Board of Directors for Parkside Community Preschool and was previously on the Advisory Board for Eugene Public Library Foundation’s Imagination Library program. She is a huge advocate for both financial and child literacy!

Mary's Bio Coming Soon