Pierce County Library Foundation Board recently elected new officers to direct the volunteer board’s support of library services for Pierce County Library System.

New officers for 2012-13 include:

• Michael Gordon, Tacoma, president;

• Jane O’Neal, University Place, vice president;

• Kari Kennard, University Place, treasurer;

• Molly Stuen, Gig Harbor, secretary;

• Janice Ludwig, Lakewood, member-at-large; and

• Lisa Korsmo, Lakewood, past president.

The Pierce County Library Foundation Board of Directors represent their community, advocate for literacy and advance philanthropy for programs and services of Pierce County Library System.

In the past year, Pierce County Library Foundation awarded $222,959 for library projects and programs that included helping people apply for jobs, preparing children to read, and improving learning spaces for children and teenagers in the Lakewood and University Place Pierce County Libraries. The Foundation’s 20-member volunteer Board of Directors raises and allocates charitable gifts to expand library services beyond tax-based funding and help enhance greatly needed services.

Pierce County Library System serves 555,000 people in unincorporated Pierce County and 15 cities and towns.