Board of Trustees
Governance
The King County Library System (KCLS) is governed by the seven-member Board of Trustees in accordance with RCW 27.12.192. Board members are appointed by the King County Executive and confirmed by the King County Council. Trustees serve for no more than two consecutive five-year terms.
Board Opening
There will be a vacancy on the KCLS Board of Trustees as of November 1, 2024.
The Board is responsible for the adoption of policies, bylaws, rules and regulations, as well as approval of both the annual operating budget and wages and benefits for almost 1,000 staff. The Board hires the Library Executive Director and is responsible for their annual performance review.
Individuals seeking appointment to the Board of Trustees should have interest and experience in the following areas:
- Support for intellectual freedom and the role of public libraries
- Prior service on a governing board preferred but not required
- Basic understanding of budgeting and finance - public finance a plus
Cultural and geographic diversity is essential to meet the library needs of King County communities. Residents of south and north King County are encouraged to apply.
To apply, please complete this application, opens a new window and submit it to Tala Mahmoud, External Affairs Coordinator in the Office of King County Executive Dow Constantine. tmahmoud@kingcounty.gov
Open Public Meetings
Board meetings are held at 5:00pm on the last Wednesday of each month. Unless otherwise noted, meetings are held at the KCLS Service Center, 960 Newport Way NW, Issaquah, 98027.
- Meetings are open to the public in accordance with the Open Public Meetings Act (RCW 42.30, opens a new window).
- Agendas are posted no later than 24 hours before each meeting.
- Public comment is heard during the first 30 minutes of each meeting. The Board has adopted guidelines to facilitate the fair and orderly expression of public comments.
- If you would like to address the Board during public comment, please sign up prior to the meeting:
- For in-person attendees, please sign up on the paper form near the entrance of the meeting room.
- For remote attendees, please email BoardMeetingSupport@kcls.org with your full name and topic to be discussed no later than 4pm on the day of the meeting.
The Board may convene an Executive Session to discuss matters in compliance with RCW 42.30, opens a new window. Executive sessions are not open to the public.
Contact
Board Meeting Agendas and Minutes
2024 | Previous Years
- January 31
- February 28
- March 27
- April 24
- May 29
- June 26 – Renton Library
- July 31
- August 28 - Federal Way Library
- September 25
- October 12 - Special Meeting
- October 30
- November 26 - Public Budget Hearing
- December 18
Trustee Biographies
Harish Kulkarni
Term Expires: January 1, 2029
Appointed: 2020
Education: MS, University of Washington; Bachelor of Engineering, Bangalore University, India.
Occupation: Senior Engineering Manager, Google
Community Involvement: ALS Association, Washington Trails. MS Green
Interests: Accessibility, education, environment. hiking, climbing, skiing
Jeffery (Jeff) Guddat
Term Expires: January 1, 2029
Appointed: 2022
Education: Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration-emphasis in Accounting, University of Washington
Occupation: Retired CPA
Community Involvement: Seattle Public Library Foundation (retired CFO), KCLS Foundation Board of Directors
Interests: Hiking, mountain climbing, reading, visiting with children and grandchildren
Srini Raghavan - Board President
Term Expires: January 1, 2025
Appointed: 2020
Occupation: Vice President, PM at Microsoft Corporation
Education: MBA, University of Pittsburgh, Katz School of Business; Bachelor of Engineering, E&C, Karnatak University, India
Community Involvement: Wellspring Family Services, Make-A-Wish, Lake Washington School District Volunteer
Interests: Technology, education, business, environment and art.
Lalita Uppala
Term Expires: January 1, 2026
Appointed: 2016
Education: University of Washington’s School of Public Health
Occupation: Executive Director, Indian American Community Services (IACS)
Community Involvement: Washington State Commission on Asia Pacific American Affairs (currently 1st Vice Chair); Asia Pacific Islander Coalition (currently Co-Chair); King County Immigrant Refugee Commission (former member); India Association of Western Washington (former Board member)
Interests: Ms.Uppala is a passionate advocate of literacy through all mediums and believes in innovative programming that educates, mentors, and connects King County residents through the written word.
Laura Valenziano - Board Secretary
Term Expires: January 1, 2027
Appointed: 2022
Education: Bachelor of Science, Psychology, Iowa State University; Masters and PhD, Human Resources, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Occupation: Engineering Program Manager, Stripe
Community Involvement: Technology Advisory Boards (2019 - present), Cook Memorial Library Board Trustee (2020 - 2021), Residential Advisory Board Member and Treasurer (2020-2021)
Interests: Mentoring, Hiking, Gardening, Reading, Baking
Verna Seal
Term Expires: January 1, 2028
Appointed: 2023
Education: Advanced Paralegal Certificate, Northeastern University School of Law; Bachelor of Science, Political Science, California State University, Fullerton
Occupation: Immigration Paralegal, Ryan Swanson & Cleveland, PLLC
Community Involvement: Retired Tukwila City Council Member (16 years), Tukwila Library Advisory Board, Tukwila Arts Commission
Interests: Community involvement, Immigrant Rights and Immigration Advocacy, Reading, Travel
