Fountain Hills Friends of the Library (FHFL) will add four new members to its board at its annual meeting.

The meeting is set for Tuesday, Jan. 15, beginning at 6:30 p.m. in the Library Conference Room. The event is open to members and those interested in learning more about the organization.

The new board members are John Baldwin, Philip Dietz, Barbara Esposito and Susan Fullerton.

John Baldwin: As an 18-year resident of Fountain Hills, Baldwin said he is committed to seeing the town thrive as a fun and safe place to build family and community, with emphasis on ensuring access to the arts for everyone in town. He said he is looking forward to lending a helping hand to the great crew at Fountain Hills Friends of the Library.

Philip Dietz: Dietz said he is pleased to have the opportunity to serve on the board of the Fountain Hills Friends of the Library. He said he was taught to treasure books from his earliest memories and he believes that, but for emergency services, the library is the most important building in every town and city.

Originally from eastern Pennsylvania, he graduated from the University of Hawaii and the University of Chicago with degrees in finance and had a career in portfolio management, mostly in Manhattan. He has lived in Fountain Hills for 18 years and said he thinks it is a most delightful place.

“The library here is very important to me and I visit it several times a week,” Dietz said. “Much of my reading now is reference and mystery though any book published by Knopf is likely to draw my attention. The work of the Friends of the Library seems most meritorious to me, expanding the educational and social activities of the library and inviting participation in the wondrous world of learning.”

Barbara Esposito: Barb and her husband, Jeff, moved to Fountain Hills in 2012. They experienced a number of job transfers throughout the years, but the spirit of volunteerism followed Barb wherever she went. She is an active member of Four Peaks Women’s Club and an involved member of her church.

She volunteered in the school media center when her sons were in elementary school, and subsequently was offered a position with the school system. She has enjoyed seeing how the function of technology and the digital world has changed the role of libraries in communities. It has enabled people of all ages to gather, explore and interact.

“I am looking forward to being a part of Fountain Hills Friends of the Library and its continued efforts to bring community involvement to Fountain Hills Library,” Esposito said.

Susan Fullerton: Fullerton was born and raised in Hamilton, Mont. and happily lives now in the beautiful desert community of Fountain Hills. She worked at several university computer departments before joining Mayo Clinic in 1979. She transferred with Mayo Clinic from Minnesota to Arizona in 1993. Working in information technology for her entire career, she graduated from the University of Phoenix in business after moving to Arizona.

Fullerton joined the Friends of the Library right after her retirement from Mayo in 2013. She currently delivers books every other week to “a very nice lady who is homebound and I love it.

“I also facilitate a painting workshop at the Community Center one morning a week,” Fullerton said. “When in Hamilton, I worked for the public library as well as the school library when attending high school. I have always loved books and reading, even as a ‘computer nerd.’ I enjoy giving time to help this organization.”

The incoming board joins the current board members: President Mary Courtney, Vice President Claude Verbal, Treasurer Gary Filmore, Secretary Mary Loehnis, Membership Chair Darvel Hansen, Member Communications Chair Kathleen Butler, Author Series chair Linda Jennings, Books for the Homebound Chair Donna Yordy, Publicity and Public Relations Chair David Bugniazet and Teen Programs Chair Ali McAuliff.

The board meets the third Tuesday of the month at 4 p.m. in the Library Conference Room.

There are a number of ways the FHFL contributes and funds various programs. Some of the programs are musical performances, visiting authors, college scholarships for Fountain Hills High School students, Books for the Homebound, the Resale Book Shop and the semi-annual shredding event.

The organization also provides funding for a variety of needs at the library including furnishings, carpeting and other necessities.

Membership in FHFL is separate from having a library card. Annual tax deductible memberships start at $15. For more information about joining the Fountain Hills Friends of the Library, visit fhfl.net.