Board Members
FURL leadership is comprised of four elected board members and several other committee chairs. They work with the library staff and local organizations to support and promote the Urbana Regional Library. Board elections are held every two years, and the next election will be held in the first quarter of 2025. Please take a minute to read more about our leaders.
Katherine Esposito
(President)
Katherine is a government attorney and parent of two daughters. She loves spending time with family, volunteering, exercising, traveling, and of course, reading books (those about science are among her favorites). She's been a member of FURL since 2015, and the president since October 2018. Her three main goals as president are: to increase FURL membership; to increase FURL's internet presence; and to solicit and implement new ideas from the community and library staff. She encourages feedback from all and encourages anyone interested in FURL's mission to join.
Favorite quote: "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." ~Margaret Mead
Diana Manevskaya
(vice President)
Diana is a digital communications strategist with more than twenty years of experience in international development, non-profit sector, and media. She joined FURL in 2021 soon after moving to Urbana community with her family. As Vice President (since February 2023), Diana enjoys planning activities (i.e., Staff Appreciation Day and bi-annual book sales), writing for the website, representing FURL at various events, and, overall, helping the President and the Board in fulfilling FURL’s Mission.
She LOVES books; biographies, non-fiction on global issues, and any fiction with libraries and bookstores in its plot, are her favorite.
Diana’s favorite quote is “What is invested in education will never be in vain”, as she is a big proponent of life-long learning.
dAVID sPAANS
(treasurer)
David has been a member of FURL since 2007 and has served as treasurer since November 2009. He retired on March 2000, having worked in data processing at the Library of Congress for 28 years. He progressed from programmer, to systems analyst, to project leader.
David and Jean have three adult children and six grandchildren. As Treasurer, David gives the treasurer’s report at FURL meetings and files taxation reports to the state and federal government. He also helps sort donated books and assists in the FURL book sales.
His favorite saying is: “Never say never.”
Gretchen Kendall
(secretary and Special Collections chair)
Gretchen Kendall has been a member of FURL since 2015. For over a decade now Gretchen has enjoyed helping her patients at the pharmacy. After becoming a mom to two busy daughters, Gretchen developed a special connection to the Urbana Library and finds joy in watching it grow and evolve. She enjoys going to the beach, spending time with her family, traveling, and trying to give back to her community.
Her favorite quote is: “To the world you may be one person; but to one person you may be the world.” - Dr. Seuss
Committee Chairs
Working along side the board members, Committee Chairs are responsible for specific aspects of the organizations. Read more about them below.
CAROLYN BIGGINS
(membership chair)
Carolyn Biggins has served FURL since 2017. Carolyn retired from Montgomery County, Md. in 2016 where she was general manager of the Ride-On transit system. Carolyn lives in Adamstown on Miolea Organic Farm with her husband where they grow organic berries and vegetables. She enjoys riding her bike, reading, and gardening. As chair of the membership committee, Carolyn connects volunteers with FURL and its activities and develops materials to publicize FURL and its important work.
Favorite quote: “What you do speaks so loudly that I cannot hear what you say.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson
Amanda Evans
(Technology/web Chair)
Amanda Evans has been a member of FURL since 2019. She began serving the organization as technology/web support in early 2021. As a mom, Amanda and her family have frequented our library system often since 2012. She is a former elementary education teacher, earning her Bachelor of Science degree from Shippensburg University. Currently, Amanda teaches yoga to all ages, and is a certified nutrition coach and holistic life coach in addition to offering social media/marketing services. Her husband, two children, and two cats reside locally, but love escaping together to the beach.
Favorite quote: “You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose.” - Dr. Seuss
Board Member Emeritus
Honoring our board members of the past, for their leadership and extended support.
Mary Lou Tersalic
Former President, Member since 2006
Mary Lou has worked with FURL since its beginning in 2006. Currently retired, she received a BS in Nursing when only a handful of universities offered the degree. She worked in medical, surgical and chemical dependency nursing for many years. In retirement she enjoys travel, reading, volunteering, crafting, and most of all, fourteen adult grandchildren. As Vice-President, she fills in for the President, complete tasks as assigned, and takes minutes whenever. She also enjoys sorting books as they are donated.
Her favorite quote is: “Expect nothing, hope for something, and be surprised!”