Board of Library Trustees
The Southern Maryland Regional Library Association (SMRLA) is governed by a board of trustees. Members are drawn from Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary’s counties. The Board consists of a library trustee from each county library system and up to two members of the public from each county served by the library systems. Trustees serve five-year terms and may not serve more than two consecutive terms. You may contact the board of trustees via email (regionalboard@smrla.org).
SMRLA is currently recruiting for members of the public to represent Calvert County and St. Mary’s County. Interested candidates can view our Board of Trustees recruitment document here.
Board Meetings
The SMRLA board meets the second Tuesday of every other month at 4 p.m. Meetings may be held in person or virtually. Meeting notices, including the agenda, are posted below.
- Teams Meeting ID: 264 896 214 812
- Teams Passcode: 6gA9nk6v
- Teams Phone Conference ID: 598 761 463#
Teams: Dial in by phone +1 469-998-6602 [United States, Dallas] Find a local number (Teams) then Dial Phone Conference ID.
Zoom: Dial in by phone +13017158592 [US Washington DC] Find a local number (Zoom) then Dial Meeting ID, followed by a Pound (#), then the Passcode, followed by another Pound(#).
Agenda for Board of Trustees Meeting on August 12, 2025, at 4:00 p.m.
Call to Order
VOTE: Approval of Minutes – October 14, 2025
Financial Report
CEO’s Report
New Business
VOTE: Investment Strategy – Joe Rinaldi, Quantum Financial
Financial Procedures Update – Debra Phetteplace
VOTE: Just Tech Lease – Ashley Teagle
Unfinished Business
Calvert Library & SMRLA Facility Study – Ashley Teagle
Board FY 2026 Goals – Ashley Teagle
CEO FY 2026 Goals – Ashley Teagle
Committee Reports
Finance Committee – Ron Crupi
Support Maryland Libraries: Support Maryland Libraries
Save the Date! Regional Board Retreat – April 16, 2026, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at SMRLA
Closed Session
In accordance with General Provisions Art. § 3-305(b):
“ (1) To discuss the appointment, employment, assignment, promotion, discipline, demotion, compensation, removal, resignation, or performance evaluation of appointees, employees, or officials over whom this public body has jurisdiction; any other personnel matter that affects one or more specific individuals” and “(8) To consult with staff, consultants, or other individuals about pending or potential litigation”
The CEO will provide the Board with an update regarding a Board member’s resignation. The CEO will also provide the Board with an update on legal action SMRLA’s attorney has taken to resolve a conflict with a vendor.
Adjourn
Meeting Minutes
Please check our sidebar above for recent Meeting Minutes. Historical Meeting Minutes available upon request.
Board Members
Suzanne Darby (2024-2029) is SMRLA’s board president and a member of the Charles County Public Library Board of Trustees.
John Johnston (2024-2026) is the board vice president and a member of the St. Mary’s County Library board of trustees.
Ronald Crupi (2024-2025) is SMRLA’s board treasurer and a member of the Calvert Library Board of Library Trustees.
Rodney C. Flowers (2025-2029), is a community member from St. Mary’s County. The Leonardtown resident is Director of Facilitation for The Department of the Navy’s NAVALX Agility Cell and Founder and President of Inspirational Endeavors, LLC, a consulting and training firm. He hold a Master’s in Business Administration from Florida Institute of Technology and a Bachelor’s in Business Administration from St. Andrew’s Presbyterian College. Flowers has been a Southern Maryland resident for 24 years.
Pat Vaira (2024-2029) is a member of the Charles County Public Library Board of Trustees. Now retired, she was formerly a school psychologist and Director of Student Services for Charles County Public Schools. Vaira holds a BS degree from Towson State College and an MA and Ph.D. in School Psychology from the University of Maryland, College Park. She volunteers with the Mattawoman Creek Art Center and with her neighborhood homeowners association.