The Mason County Commissioners have appointed Peggy Johnson of Shelton to the Timberland Regional Library Board of Trustees. Her term of office began in April 2006 and continues through December 2010. Mrs. Johnson is completing Mason County resident Peggy Meyers’ term. TRL Board terms are for seven years.

"I want to support the great work of the Library, to enhance reading, and to look for opportunities to expand the Library’s service in our communities," said Johnson.

In both her public and her private life, Mrs. Johnson has always strongly focused on the teaching, learning and enjoyment of reading. During her three terms as State Representative for the 35^th Legislative District in the 1990s, Johnson served as a member and then as chair of the House Education Committee. She also formed the Sub-committee on Reading Literacy. "I brought people from business and education around the table a number of times. Part of the result was the Year of the Reader," she said. Johnson was the prime sponsor of the resolution that launched the State’s Year of the Reader in 1997. She also brought three bills on reading to the Legislature that were signed into law.

While her four children were growing up, there were always "hundreds of books around the house," said Mrs. Johnson. "Reading and literacy are issues I know about and care about passionately. It’s who I am."

Mrs. Johnson was a substitute teacher for over 20 years. She currently works and manages a family farm with her husband. She also owned and operated a retail Christmas tree business for 30 years. Johnson is involved in a variety of community organizations and projects. She has participated in business and civic associations and received numerous awards.

The Timberland Regional Library Board of Trustees consists of seven members. The Mason, Thurston, Lewis, Grays Harbor and Pacific county commissioners appoint a member for each of their counties with the other four counties confirming each appointment. Two additional trustees, also appointed by commissioners, fill at-large positions. The Board makes policy decisions and provides direction for the five-county library system.

The Board holds public meetings at 7 p.m. on the fourth Wednesday of each month. If that day conflicts with a holiday or conference, the meeting is held on the third or the fifth Wednesday. The July 26 meeting will be in Mason County at the Hoodsport Timberland Library, N 40 Schoolhouse Hill Road, Hoodsport. The public is encouraged to attend.

Monthly meetings are held at either the TRL Administrative Service Center (415 Tumwater Blvd. SW, Tumwater, WA 98501) or at one of the library system’s 27 community libraries. Locations vary in order to offer members of the public throughout the library system the opportunity to attend some meetings in nearby communities.

For future TRL Board meeting dates and locations, visit the Library’s Web site at www.trlib.org or call Timberland’s Central Reference librarians at 704-INFO (704-4636). From outside the local calling area, call 1-877-284-6237 toll free.