This seven-member board governs policy for the Library and ensures taxpayer dollars are being spent judiciously. Trustees are appointed by the Centerville City Schools' Board of Education and serve seven-year terms. Trustees volunteer their service and are paid no monetary stipend. All Trustees are residents of Centerville or Washington Township.
Current Board of Trustees and Library Director
For information on applying for the Board of Trustees, or to contact the Board with a question or comment, e-mail the Library Administration at: libadmin@wcpl.lib.oh.us
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Scheduled Board Meetings
Board Meetings are held on the third Tuesday of each month at 7 PM in the Centerville Library Conference Room unless otherwise noted and are open to the public. If you wish to speak at a meeting, complete this request form and return it to the Centerville Library 24 hours in advance of the meeting.
Board Meeting Minutes
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Get to Know the Library Board of Trustees
Randell Bowling, President
Appointed: March 2008
Term Expires: 2016
Committees:
Executive
Finance
Long-Range Facilities Planning
Personnel
Contact Mr. Bowling via e-mail at libadmin@wcpl.lib.oh.us
Randell Bowling was appointed to the Library Board in March 2008. He, his wife and children reside in Washington Township.
As a long-time member of the United States Air Force, Randy has had the opportunity to hone his leadership, project management and budgeting skills. This expertise is well-suited to his work as Fiscal Officer on the Library Board of Trustees. In addition to his military service, Randy holds a Bachelor Degree in Education from Miami University and a Masters of Business Administration from Webster University.
Randy is excited to be working with the Library Board on long range planning and forecasting. He hopes his contributions will ensure the Library’s financial health for years to come.
Dr. Susan Brown, Vice President
Appointed: April 2009
Term Expires: 2013
Committees:
Executive
Foundation
Contact Dr. Brown via e-mail at libadmin@wcpl.lib.oh.us
Dr. Susan Brown was appointed to the Library Board in April 2009. She is a resident of Washington Township and she, her husband, and her two children are active Library users.
As an Adjunct Instructor and advisor at Sinclair Community College, Courseview campus, Susan understands the value of libraries as agencies of learning. Susan holds a Bachelor of Science in Journalism, as well as a Master of Sports Administration, from Ohio University. In addition, Susan holds a Doctorate in Education from the University of Memphis and attended the Institute for the Management of Lifelong Education at Harvard University.
Susan is passionate about volunteer work. She is an active volunteer with the SouthBrook Christian Church’s Children’s Ministry and is a parent volunteer at Incarnation School.
Susan describes herself as a "grateful consumer of the Library’s excellent services" and she is excited to have the opportunity to give something back by contributing her experience in education and technology to the Board of Trustees.
Richard Carr
Appointed: January 2005
Term Expires: 2018
Committees:
Long-Range Facilities Planning
Personnel
Nominating
Trustee Interview
Contact Mr. Carr via e-mail at libadmin@wcpl.lib.oh.us
Richard Carr was appointed to the Library Board in January 2005. He is a long-time resident of Centerville and a Centerville High School graduate. He’s a life-long user of libraries and has taken great pride in using the Washington-Centerville Library and watching it grow over the years.
A business attorney with the firm of Dunlevey, Mahan and Furry, Richard holds degrees from Michigan State University and Boston College Law School. His experience in analyzing business situations, including contracting, construction, labor issues and service contracts is an asset to the Board.
Richard is an active member of the community and has helped formulate and oversee policy for numerous community committees and boards including, the Centerville-Washington Foundation, Centerville Education Foundation and Create the Vision.
And while Richard "has never met a library I didn’t like", he considers Washington-Centerville Library his home library and is delighted to have the opportunity to contribute as a member of the Board of Trustees.
Robert Hanseman, Fiscal Officer
Appointed: January 2011
Term Expires: 2017
Committees:
Executive
Finance
Personnel
Long-Range Facilities Planning
Contact Mr. Hanseman via e-mail at libadmin@wcpl.lib.oh.us
Bob Hanseman joined the Library Board in January 2011. Prior to his appointment, he counseled the library on fiscal matters as part of the financial advisory committee. He and his wife live in Washington Township with their three daughters.
Bob is a partner at the law firm of Sebaly Shillito & Dyer. As a seasoned litigator and former Air Force officer, Bob has had the opportunity to hone his leadership, business and communication skills. This expertise is well-suited to his work as a Library Trustee, in which he participates in long range planning, policy making and reviewing/approving contracts. Bob holds a Bachelor of Political Science and a Bachelor of Journalism from The Ohio State University, as well as a Juris Doctor from George Washington University, National Law Center.
Bob believes that a strong library system is vital for the community and that transferring knowledge to the next generation depends on helping our children develop a love of books.
Carol Herrick
Appointed: January 2013
Term Expires: 2019
Committees:
Finance Committee
Foundation Committee
Contact Carol Herrick via e-mail at libadmin@wcpl.lib.oh.us
Carol Herrick was appointed to the Library Board of Trustees in January 2013. She is a long-time Centerville resident and ardent library supporter.
Carol brings a wealth of business management and financial expertise to the Library. In addition to being an Instructor of Economics at Wright State University and a small business owner that helps small to medium sized businesses improve their operations and profitability, Carol has served on the Library's Financial Advisory Board. She is already very familiar with the Library's financial stewardship and is eager to learn more about the business side of the Library and contribute her knowledge to guiding the future of the organization.
Carol holds a Masters of Industrial Administration from Carnegie Mellon University and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Northwestern University. She feels fortunate to live in a community with a library system that ranks among the best in the nation and looks forward to the opportunity to contribute to the organization’s ongoing success.
Dr. Bonnie Mathies
Appointed: January 1994
Term Expires: 2014
Committees:
Nominating
Trustee Interview
Contact Dr. Mathies via e-mail at libadmin@wcpl.lib.oh.us
Bonnie Mathies was appointed to the Library Board in January, 1994. She is a long-time resident of the community and a dedicated advocate for libraries and the role they play in the life-long learning of our citizens.
A retired full Professor and Associate Dean of the College of Education and Human Services at Wright State University and now Interim Dean of the WSU Lake Campus, she has spent her career in public education. As a classroom teacher in public schools systems and later as a college professor and administrator, she has witnessed first-hand the value of libraries. Her education, background and work in libraries and instructional technology, brings a unique and valued perspective to the board.
Bonnie holds a Ph.D. from the University of Toledo in curriculum and instruction, technology, and administration. She has served on the Ohio Public Information Network (OPLIN) Board of Trustees since 2004 and is a past president of the Ohio Education Library Media Association (OELMA) representing Ohio K-12 library media specialists. She has served on and participated in a large number of boards and committees locally, state-wide, regionally and nationally.
Bonnie feels keenly that strong public libraries contribute to a healthy and viable democratic society and she is honored to serve the community as a member of the Washington-Centerville Public Library.
Sarah Rickman
Appointed: January 1996
Term Expires: 2015
Committees:
Foundation
Long-Range Facilities Planning
Nominating
Trustee Interview
Contact Ms. Rickman via e-mail at libadmin@wcpl.lib.oh.us
Sarah Rickman was appointed to the Library Board in January 1996. She has been a Centerville resident and Library user for more than 30 years.
As a career journalist and published author, Sarah has a passion for libraries that runs deep. Her work with local, daily and weekly newspapers, as well as being the past editor of the City of Centerville's community newsletter, The Town Crier, gives Sarah an in-depth knowledge of the community that is really beneficial to the Library Board of Trustees.
Sarah holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from Vanderbilt University and a Masters in Creative Writing from Antioch University McGregor. She has published four books about the WASP — the women who flew for the U.S. Army Air Forces in World War II — and was a 2009 winner of the Combs Gates Award for writing about the human, non-technical side of the world of aviation. The award is from the National Aviation Hall of Fame located in Dayton.
Sarah's past board experiences include work with the Centerville Education Foundation, Planned Parenthood of the Miami Valley, and Hithergreen Center. She is a regular patron of the Library and has been an invaluable asset to the Library Board for more than 17 years!
Kim Senft-Paras, Library Director
Contact Ms. Paras via e-mail at libadmin@wcpl.lib.oh.us
Kim Paras joined Washington-Centerville Public Library as Director in 2009. Kim began her library career over 20 years ago as a Reference Librarian at the Burton Public Library (Burton, OH), and still enjoys assisting patrons to this day.
Prior to joining Washington-Centerville Public Library, Kim spent 18 years at Lakewood Public Library, first as the Manager of the Madison Branch and later as Deputy Director. In those roles, she was integrally involved in long-range and strategic planning, fundraising, and staff supervision, and was instrumental in the planning and execution of several library renovation projects. Kim truly believes libraries should be a key resource for the communities in which they are located and has spent her career forming collaborations and partnerships with other agencies to ensure libraries remain relevant to the needs of today’s users.
Kim holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Miami University and a Master of Library Science from Kent State University. She is also a Certified Public Librarian.
Kim feels privileged to work in such a fine library system, located in a warm and welcoming community.
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Current Board of Trustees and Library Director
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| Randell P. Bowling President |
Dr. Susan Brown Vice President |
Robert Hanseman Fiscal Officer |
Richard Carr, Jr. Board Member |
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| Carol Herrick Board Member |
Dr. Bonnie Mathies Board Member |
Sarah Rickman Board Member |
Kim Senft-Paras Library Director |
For information on applying for the Board of Trustees, or to contact the Board with a question or comment, e-mail the Library Administration at: libadmin@wcpl.lib.oh.us
Return to Top
Scheduled Board Meetings
Board Meetings are held on the third Tuesday of each month at 7 PM in the Centerville Library Conference Room unless otherwise noted and are open to the public. If you wish to speak at a meeting, complete this request form and return it to the Centerville Library 24 hours in advance of the meeting.
May 21, 2013
June 18, 2013
July 16, 2013 (Woodbourne Library)
August 20, 2013 (Cataloging Center)
September 17, 2013
October 15, 2013
November 19, 2013
December 19, 2013
Board Meeting Minutes
April 2013
March 2013
February 2013
January 2013
December 2012
November 2012
October 2012
September 2012
August 2012
July 2012
June 2012
May 2012
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Get to Know the Library Board of Trustees
Randell Bowling, President

Term Expires: 2016
Committees:
Executive
Finance
Long-Range Facilities Planning
Personnel
Contact Mr. Bowling via e-mail at libadmin@wcpl.lib.oh.us
Randell Bowling was appointed to the Library Board in March 2008. He, his wife and children reside in Washington Township.
As a long-time member of the United States Air Force, Randy has had the opportunity to hone his leadership, project management and budgeting skills. This expertise is well-suited to his work as Fiscal Officer on the Library Board of Trustees. In addition to his military service, Randy holds a Bachelor Degree in Education from Miami University and a Masters of Business Administration from Webster University.
Randy is excited to be working with the Library Board on long range planning and forecasting. He hopes his contributions will ensure the Library’s financial health for years to come.
Dr. Susan Brown, Vice President

Term Expires: 2013
Committees:
Executive
Foundation
Contact Dr. Brown via e-mail at libadmin@wcpl.lib.oh.us
Dr. Susan Brown was appointed to the Library Board in April 2009. She is a resident of Washington Township and she, her husband, and her two children are active Library users.
As an Adjunct Instructor and advisor at Sinclair Community College, Courseview campus, Susan understands the value of libraries as agencies of learning. Susan holds a Bachelor of Science in Journalism, as well as a Master of Sports Administration, from Ohio University. In addition, Susan holds a Doctorate in Education from the University of Memphis and attended the Institute for the Management of Lifelong Education at Harvard University.
Susan is passionate about volunteer work. She is an active volunteer with the SouthBrook Christian Church’s Children’s Ministry and is a parent volunteer at Incarnation School.
Susan describes herself as a "grateful consumer of the Library’s excellent services" and she is excited to have the opportunity to give something back by contributing her experience in education and technology to the Board of Trustees.
Richard Carr

Term Expires: 2018
Committees:
Long-Range Facilities Planning
Personnel
Nominating
Trustee Interview
Contact Mr. Carr via e-mail at libadmin@wcpl.lib.oh.us
Richard Carr was appointed to the Library Board in January 2005. He is a long-time resident of Centerville and a Centerville High School graduate. He’s a life-long user of libraries and has taken great pride in using the Washington-Centerville Library and watching it grow over the years.
A business attorney with the firm of Dunlevey, Mahan and Furry, Richard holds degrees from Michigan State University and Boston College Law School. His experience in analyzing business situations, including contracting, construction, labor issues and service contracts is an asset to the Board.
Richard is an active member of the community and has helped formulate and oversee policy for numerous community committees and boards including, the Centerville-Washington Foundation, Centerville Education Foundation and Create the Vision.
And while Richard "has never met a library I didn’t like", he considers Washington-Centerville Library his home library and is delighted to have the opportunity to contribute as a member of the Board of Trustees.
Robert Hanseman, Fiscal Officer

Term Expires: 2017
Committees:
Executive
Finance
Personnel
Long-Range Facilities Planning
Contact Mr. Hanseman via e-mail at libadmin@wcpl.lib.oh.us
Bob Hanseman joined the Library Board in January 2011. Prior to his appointment, he counseled the library on fiscal matters as part of the financial advisory committee. He and his wife live in Washington Township with their three daughters.
Bob is a partner at the law firm of Sebaly Shillito & Dyer. As a seasoned litigator and former Air Force officer, Bob has had the opportunity to hone his leadership, business and communication skills. This expertise is well-suited to his work as a Library Trustee, in which he participates in long range planning, policy making and reviewing/approving contracts. Bob holds a Bachelor of Political Science and a Bachelor of Journalism from The Ohio State University, as well as a Juris Doctor from George Washington University, National Law Center.
Bob believes that a strong library system is vital for the community and that transferring knowledge to the next generation depends on helping our children develop a love of books.
Carol Herrick

Term Expires: 2019
Committees:
Finance Committee
Foundation Committee
Contact Carol Herrick via e-mail at libadmin@wcpl.lib.oh.us
Carol Herrick was appointed to the Library Board of Trustees in January 2013. She is a long-time Centerville resident and ardent library supporter.
Carol brings a wealth of business management and financial expertise to the Library. In addition to being an Instructor of Economics at Wright State University and a small business owner that helps small to medium sized businesses improve their operations and profitability, Carol has served on the Library's Financial Advisory Board. She is already very familiar with the Library's financial stewardship and is eager to learn more about the business side of the Library and contribute her knowledge to guiding the future of the organization.
Carol holds a Masters of Industrial Administration from Carnegie Mellon University and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Northwestern University. She feels fortunate to live in a community with a library system that ranks among the best in the nation and looks forward to the opportunity to contribute to the organization’s ongoing success.
Dr. Bonnie Mathies

Term Expires: 2014
Committees:
Nominating
Trustee Interview
Contact Dr. Mathies via e-mail at libadmin@wcpl.lib.oh.us
Bonnie Mathies was appointed to the Library Board in January, 1994. She is a long-time resident of the community and a dedicated advocate for libraries and the role they play in the life-long learning of our citizens.
A retired full Professor and Associate Dean of the College of Education and Human Services at Wright State University and now Interim Dean of the WSU Lake Campus, she has spent her career in public education. As a classroom teacher in public schools systems and later as a college professor and administrator, she has witnessed first-hand the value of libraries. Her education, background and work in libraries and instructional technology, brings a unique and valued perspective to the board.
Bonnie holds a Ph.D. from the University of Toledo in curriculum and instruction, technology, and administration. She has served on the Ohio Public Information Network (OPLIN) Board of Trustees since 2004 and is a past president of the Ohio Education Library Media Association (OELMA) representing Ohio K-12 library media specialists. She has served on and participated in a large number of boards and committees locally, state-wide, regionally and nationally.
Bonnie feels keenly that strong public libraries contribute to a healthy and viable democratic society and she is honored to serve the community as a member of the Washington-Centerville Public Library.
Sarah Rickman

Term Expires: 2015
Committees:
Foundation
Long-Range Facilities Planning
Nominating
Trustee Interview
Contact Ms. Rickman via e-mail at libadmin@wcpl.lib.oh.us
Sarah Rickman was appointed to the Library Board in January 1996. She has been a Centerville resident and Library user for more than 30 years.
As a career journalist and published author, Sarah has a passion for libraries that runs deep. Her work with local, daily and weekly newspapers, as well as being the past editor of the City of Centerville's community newsletter, The Town Crier, gives Sarah an in-depth knowledge of the community that is really beneficial to the Library Board of Trustees.
Sarah holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from Vanderbilt University and a Masters in Creative Writing from Antioch University McGregor. She has published four books about the WASP — the women who flew for the U.S. Army Air Forces in World War II — and was a 2009 winner of the Combs Gates Award for writing about the human, non-technical side of the world of aviation. The award is from the National Aviation Hall of Fame located in Dayton.
Sarah's past board experiences include work with the Centerville Education Foundation, Planned Parenthood of the Miami Valley, and Hithergreen Center. She is a regular patron of the Library and has been an invaluable asset to the Library Board for more than 17 years!
Kim Senft-Paras, Library Director

Kim Paras joined Washington-Centerville Public Library as Director in 2009. Kim began her library career over 20 years ago as a Reference Librarian at the Burton Public Library (Burton, OH), and still enjoys assisting patrons to this day.
Prior to joining Washington-Centerville Public Library, Kim spent 18 years at Lakewood Public Library, first as the Manager of the Madison Branch and later as Deputy Director. In those roles, she was integrally involved in long-range and strategic planning, fundraising, and staff supervision, and was instrumental in the planning and execution of several library renovation projects. Kim truly believes libraries should be a key resource for the communities in which they are located and has spent her career forming collaborations and partnerships with other agencies to ensure libraries remain relevant to the needs of today’s users.
Kim holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Miami University and a Master of Library Science from Kent State University. She is also a Certified Public Librarian.
Kim feels privileged to work in such a fine library system, located in a warm and welcoming community.
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