About the Board

The primary mission of the Escondido Public Library Board of Trustees is to be vocal and energetic advocates for the essential services that the Escondido Public Library provides to our community and to give sound and timely advice and counsel to the Escondido City Council and the City Librarian on the development of plans, policies and programs that are responsive to community needs and desires. The five members of the Board are appointed by the Mayor for three-year terms and confirmed by the City Council. The Board elects a President and Secretary annually.

Areas of Focus

• Reviewing and approving policies and fees recommended by library staff.
• Recommending long-range plans regarding facilities, staff, and programs.
• Evaluating community desires and needs for library services.
• Reviewing customer concerns and suggestions.
• Generating public support and participation in library programs.
• Determining expenditures of library trust funds.

Meetings

The board meets the second Thursday of the month at 2:00 p.m.
Please see Events Calendar for upcoming meetings. 

Current Board Members

Elmer Cameron
Elmer Cameron is a retired Escondido school district administrator who served as the Associate Superintendent and Acting Superintendent. During his 43 years in Escondido, he was chairman or president of the Escondido Rotary Club, Palomar Family YMCA, Elderlink, and Civitan Club of Escondido. Mr. Cameron has served as a board member of the Boys and Girls Club of Escondido; California Center for the Arts, Escondido; Elizabeth Hospice; and the American Cancer Society. He was education advisor for Assemblyman Bill Bradley and mayor pro-tem of the Escondido City Council. Currently he is the president of the Friends of the Escondido Public Library and spends many hours each week appraising the value of book donated to the Friends' Book Shop.

Mirek Gorny
Mirek Gorny grew up in southern Poland and moved to this country in 1987. In Poland he attended the Academy Of Economics. While working full time in the United States, he engaged in many professional and personal development courses. In his professional career he worked in blue-collar jobs as well as running small businesses and serving in management positions. As a strong believer in education and self-development, he has been involved in building successful teams and performance improvement over the last 12 years. Mr. Gorny works as a personal finance consultant and has been a resident of Escondido since 2002.

Gary Knight
Gary Knight, President, is the CEO and President of San Diego North Economic Development Council, serving in that role since 2004. A graduate of the University of Minnesota, he spent many years in the health care field and now devotes his energies to bringing economic and workforce development to better serve the San Diego region. Mr. Knight serves on a number of boards and committees including San Diego County Regional Airport Authority Board of Advisors, SANDAG Regional Housing Working Group and Regional Energy Group, Futures Foundation Board of Directors, I-15 Interregional Partnership Working Group, National University and MiraCosta Business School Advisory Boards, and the MiraCosta College President's Board.

Diane Yerkes
Diane M. Yerkes, Secretary, is an educator who has worked as a public school administrator and a professor of educational leadership. She is co-author of Developing Educational Leaders and has published numerous professional articles. Dr. Yerkes has founded educational organizations and trained school administrators here and abroad. She won awards for teaching and mentoring at California State University, Fresno, and San Diego State University. In addition to her work with the library, she assists with raising funds for scholarships at the Palomar YMCA and is an editor and writing consultant for graduate students and educational agencies.