Matthew Scholtz - Chief Librarian
Raised
in Kitchener (Ontario), Mr. Scholtz is a graduate of the University of Western
Ontario (London), with an Hons. B.A. (History and English) and an M.L.S. He
was appointed Chief Librarian in August 1970. In 1980, he helped to found the Association of Small Public
Libraries of Ontario (ASPLO) and served as the organization's first
president. Over the years, he has served on a number of provincial and regional
library committees as well as local community committees. Throughout the 1970s,
Mr. Scholtz also worked
as a part-time local correspondent for the London Free Press
and CFPL-TV.
Locally, he is Secretary-Treasurer of the Tillsonburg Chamber of Commerce. He is also active in Theatre Tillsonburg, serving as Treasurer, head of the Lighting Department, and producer of a number of shows.
For the Chamber of Commerce, he edited and published "Tillsonburg, A History: 1825-1982". In 1995, after four years of research, Mr. Scholtz saw publication of his book, "Tillsonburg Diary: A Chronological History 1824-1994", with the financial support of the Chamber. Currently he writes two columns for the Tillsonburg News: Library Pages (published Mondays) and "Past Is Prologue" (available Fridays). He is married, with two grown children.
Currently, he is gathering historical photographs for his next book, a photographic history of Tillsonburg.
 L-R: Carole Stephenson, Rita VanLamoen, Mary Stevens |
Raised in Kitchener, Mrs. Stephenson received an Hons. B.A. in French and Spanish (Waterloo Lutheran University) and a Diploma in Education from Althouse College of Education (University of Western Ontario). She taught French in elementary schools in Waterloo County before moving to Tillsonburg in 1975. Mrs. Stephenson joined the library in September 1996. She is married to Brian and has four children. Carole's current activities include curling, involvement with the local branch of the Canadian Cancer Society, reading and gardening.
Mary Stevens
Mary lived in Tillsonburg until she left for the University of Toronto at the age of 17. She earned a B.A. in Sociology and a Master of Library Science. Her career took her to the National Film Board and St. Michael's College Library. Fulltime motherhood followed. During these years Mary served as a volunteer with hockey and soccer teams as well as with various cultural and performing arts groups. Her hobbies grew to include: gardening, genealogy, short-story writing, drawing, travelling, and attending live theatre. When the last of her children entered university, Mary put her talents and education to use as a legal research assistant. In 2003 she decided to relocate to Tillsonburg where she could not only revitalize her library career, but have fun as well. Welcome back, Mary!
Rita VanLamoen
Born and raised in Norfolk Township just outside Delhi, Rita graduated from Delhi District High School in 1964 and moved to Tillsonburg in 1969. She lives with her husband Marcel, and has three children as well as three step-children and 10 grandchildren. Rita is an active member of St. Paul's United Church, and the Station Arts Centre. In her spare time, she enjoys cooking, reading, painting and being with family and friends.
Other Staff Members include Library Pages: Stephanie Schonberger, Lauren Byl and Keely Armstrong
Leo, the Library Lion
Once
an unofficial member of the Library staff, Leo the Library Lion was
the gift of the Tillsonburg Arts and Crafts Guild,. Sculpted by Abe Wall,
Leo became our front lawn attraction following his placement in September
1997. Time and the elements, unfortunately, took their toll, leading to Leo's
untimely demise in the spring of 2003.
His former resting place is now enhanced by commemorative paving stones.
To honour the Tillsonburg Chamber of Commerce Citizens of the Year, some of
the paving stones have been engraved with the
recipients' names and the year of their recognition . Nearby paving
stones can be engraved upon request, with a donation to the Library. The
first engraved stone, donated and placed in the spring of 2001, is in memory
of George Benjamin Hawkins, 1862 - 1941.