Governance

Board Of Directors

The Ontario Public Libraries Act, R.S.O. 1990, CHAPTER P.44, sets out how a public library is established, managed, and funded. According to the PLA, a public library shall be under the management and control of a Board, which is a corporation known as The Wasaga Beach Public Library Board. Community volunteers that meet the criteria outlined in the PLA, as well as one Council Representative, are appointed to the Board by Municipal Council.
The Board’s duty is to provide comprehensive and efficient public library service that reflects the community’s unique needs. The key responsibilities of the WBPL Board are:
  • Understand local and provincial laws and respond to new legislation affecting libraries;
  • Attend and participate in all regular and special board meetings;
  • Set the mission and overall direction of the library in response to the needs of the community;
  • Appoint a Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to manage day-to-day operations of the library;
  • Determine policies for the library;
  • Work with the CEO to develop the library's budget and oversee finances;
  • Advocate for the library within the community as well as different levels of government.

2024 Board Meeting Schedule

All meetings will be held at 4 p.m. in the library’s Group Study Room unless otherwise specified

  • January 15
  • February 26
  • March 25
  • April 22
  • May 27 - 4 p.m.
  • June 24 - 4 p.m.
  • July 22 – cancelled for a summer break
  • August 26 - 4 p.m.
  • September 23
  • October 28
  • November 25
  • December 23 – cancelled for a Christmas break

2023-2026 Wasaga Beach Public Library Board Members

Lorraine Gruzuk - Chair

Lorraine has lived in Wasaga Beach for over 40 years. She worked as a teacher and principal in local schools and was a member of the Wasaga Beach Public Library Board when the current library was built and opened in 1994. Lorraine rejoined the WBPL Board when she retired in 2012. Lorraine strongly believes that a vibrant public library has a powerful impact on its community and that learning and literacy open doors to understanding the lives and perspectives of others. She looks forward to working with the Board and staff in welcoming residents and visitors to the many exciting experiences that will soon be available at the new library.

Jody Mayhew - Vice-Chair

After retiring from the Near North District School Board, Jody moved to Wasaga Beach in 2013. As an educator, she has always recognized the significance a public library can play in the lives of all community members. Jody appreciates that Wasaga Beach Public Library has evolved to become a place where we can come together to explore, learn and interact...no matter our age. This is Jody’s third term serving on the Board, and she enjoys the opportunity to work with a dynamic group of individuals committed to moving the library forward. Jody believes that together Board members will continue to provide policy direction, advocate for adequate funding to deliver library services for the changing needs of our community and support the library staff in all their endeavours.

Ellen Timms - Council Representative

I began my love affair with Wasaga Beach when my family purchased our cottage in 2006 and immediately became “weekenders”. In 2018, I left the City behind and joined the town as Economic Development and Tourism Officer on contract for a gal off on a maternity leave. My professional life was one of community involvement and development, volunteering and serving on committees and boards, running a retail business then managing the Port Credit Business Association for 18 years. I am a collaborator who works well with others to make things happen – be it in community activities and events, business opportunities or political decision-making. It’s an exciting time to be appointed to the Library Board and a responsibility I do not take lightly. Through the move to the new facility, I hope we can get closer to our goal of a vibrant, community hub.

Rosanna Vryvogel

This is Rosanna’s third term on the Wasaga Beach Library Board. She is a retired elementary school teacher and has lived full-time in Wasaga Beach since 2013. In her previous terms on the board, she served on several committees, contributed many good ideas and donated extra time and energy for the betterment of the library. Rosanna felt that joining the Library Board was a great way to meet new friends and become involved in the community. She feels that this next term will be an exciting one and she is looking forward to being involved in the opening of the new library building.

Corrine Lalonde

As a lifelong resident of Wasaga Beach, Corrine attended Worsley Elementary School (then Oxbow Park Public School) and Collingwood Collegiate Institute. She is a registered nurse and holds a BScN (Ryerson) and an MScN (York) in Nursing. Corrine is employed full-time at Georgian College as a professor in the Nursing degree program and has worked primarily in cardiac care throughout her career. Corrine is a member of the Worsley ES parent council and sits on the board of the Georgian Good Food Box as social media coordinator. As a parent of two daughters and a regular library user, she hopes to bring a diverse perspective to the Library Board and offer expertise in program design, adult education and learning, and community development. She is excited to be a part of the new library development and give back to our wonderful community.

Peggy Harris

Peggy retired from Municipal Government in 2018 and then moved to Wasaga Beach to be closer to family. She feels that libraries are the anchor to the community and with the new multi-use community hub being built this will enhance the success of having a safe and accessible space supporting learning, culture, recreation, tourism, health and wellness and personal growth for all residents and visitors to Wasaga Beach. Peggy looks forward to working with the Board and Administration while advocating for the library and meeting new and existing patrons.

Barbara Kodors

Barbara is a Chartered Professional Accountant and has been a finance executive for over 30 years working for major Canadian and US companies and currently runs a successful consulting practice. She relocated to Wasaga Beach from Texas in 2015 and as she nears retirement, she wanted to find a way to offer her business skills and finance acumen as a volunteer in the community. The Library Board especially interested her as she is an active library member and a strong supporter of the new facility; and believes that the library is much more than a resource for books. Barbara looks forward to serving on the board during this exciting time of change.

Susan Reynolds

After a career that has encompassed Human Resources, Public Relations & Communications, and Marketing, Susan made the decision to retire at the end of 2022. Having lived in Wasaga Beach for the past 10 years, she watched with interest as the community has grown with all the associated positives and challenges that have come with this growth. A lifelong proponent of education and continuous learning, Susan knows the value of the library to the community as a flourishing, well-resourced public space is immense and can make a powerful impact. Susan looks forward to participating and providing her expertise in communications and marketing and giving back to this wonderful community.

Shann Leighton

I moved to Wasaga Beach in September 2019 and really enjoy the community. I retired in February 2019 after 40 years of working in a public library. As a former librarian I am a strong supporter of public libraries in our communities and the many benefits they provide. I believe my former work in a library setting will be of benefit to the Library Board. Libraries today are far more than just books.

Patricia Copeland

Patricia Copeland is President of Humantec Inc. a consumer technology development and sales company. She has enjoyed careers in journalism, charitable sector management and as a training consultant and a key social enterprise driver in the sector. She and her husband Steve Copeland are new residents to Wasaga Beach after living in Barrie for over three decades. She was honored to be an elected member of Barrie City Council initiating the building of the library, Communities in Bloom program, cycling trail system, and championing the first Accessibility Committee in the City of Barrie. She has been an active volunteer sitting on over 20 boards across Simcoe County and looks forward to contributing to her new community. She currently sits on the Wasaga Beach Library Board and is a member of the Probus Club.