Help support the Arlington Heights Memorial Library’s community initiatives

Your donation will help fund your library’s services and programs

The Arlington Heights Memorial Library Foundation (the Foundation) provides funds to help develop and sustain a world-class library.

The Foundation is a not-for-profit, 501 (c)(3) tax exempt organization that provides support to the Arlington Heights Memorial Library in its quest to reach and serve all members of our community. The Foundation pursues financing and in-kind services to supplement the library so additional avenues of learning can be achieved. Our Values include:

Respect (we care about others)
Accountability (we take fiscal responsibility)
Perseverance (we are confident and determined)
Integrity (we tell the truth)
Dedication (we are committed to our mission)

Foundation Directors

The Foundation is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors. Board committees include Development, Executive, Finance and Investment, Marketing and Technology.

Lauree Harp

Founder and Chair

Lauree Harp lives in Arlington Heights and is a retired business and marketing professional. She served as the first executive director of the District 214 Community Education Foundation and as a founding board member of the Metropolis Performing Arts Center. A Community Spirit Hearts of Gold Award winner, Lauree chaired the Arlington Heights Quasquicentennial Committee and the Special Events Commission for the Village of Arlington Heights.

Claudia Starck

Vice Chair 

Claudia Starck is a broker with Baird and Warner Real Estate and has over 30 years of volunteer service to the community. A 44-year resident of Arlington Heights, Starck has served on the Arlington Heights Special Events Commission, Village Bank and Trust Community Advisory Council and was the founder and manager of the Arlington Heights Farmers Market.

Betsy Kmiecik

Secretary

Betsy Kmiecik  is a senior human resources executive and former director/vice president of human resources with the Daily Herald Media Group. Kmiecik lives in Arlington Heights and has served on the boards of the Arlington Heights Chamber of Commerce and the Arlington Heights Historical Society.

Gary McClung

Treasurer

McClung  retired in 2014 after a 40-year career that included compensation and benefit consulting, human resource management, retirement planning and financial counseling. He served on the Arlington Heights Industrial and Commercial Development Commission and as a board member of the Arlington Heights Police Pension Fund, First Presbyterian Church and the Metropolis Performing Arts Center. He lives in Arlington Heights.

Mimi Cooper

Director

Miriam (Mimi) Cooper is a resident of Arlington Heights and founder of the Law Office of Miriam Cooper & Associates, LLC. She is a former Township High School 214 Educational Foundation trustee and was a District 214 board member from 1989 to 2017.

Michael Mulder

Director

 Michael Mulder grew up in Arlington Heights and is a senior vice president with Village Bank and Trust/Wintrust Commercial Banking in Arlington Heights. He is a current board member of the Arlington Heights Chamber of Commerce and has served as a Rotary member and a Board member with the Illinois Small Business Development Center at Harper College.

Char Padovani

Board Member

 Charlene (Char) Padovani is a 35 year resident of Arlington Heights. A health educator by trade, she has worked for numerous local non-for-profit organizations such as Northwest Community Hospital, Harper College and the American Cancer Society. Currently she is employed as the Volunteer Services Coordinator for the North Shore Senior Center and she volunteers her time to Salute, Inc., St. James Catholic Church, the Arlington Heights Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast, and the Arlington Heights Memorial Library.