Library Board
Dennis Bumgarner, Board Chair
I moved to Placitas from Indiana in 2014. I have been a psychotherapist in private practice since 1983, and I maintain a practice in Placitas as well as working as a clinical supervisor with The New Mexico Suicide Intervention Project. I served on the PCL board from 2017-2022. I enjoy bicycling and am a singer-songwriter who performs locally
Jillian J Gonzales, Vice Chair
I am not only a native New Mexican, but I was raised in the Village of Placitas. My love of libraries began early in childhood as my parents worked and studied in the numerous libraries on the University of New Mexico campus. My education took me to New England and New York City before returning home. In my professional life, I am a Director at a major healthcare organization that serves the entire state. My partner, Brian, and I have raised two children and numerous dogs in our home in the Village of Placitas. I have served on the Board of the Placitas Community Library since January of 2021. My passion lies in sharing the history of Placitas in order to bring diverse members of the community together.
Maggie Huber, PhD, Treasurer
I am originally from Pittsburgh, PA but I have lived in several states, most recently South Dakota. I am retired from a career in higher education as a college/university president and I have a very strong value on providing community resources for learning. I have been on the Library Board since Spring 2023.
Seth Betterly, Secretary
I grew up in New Jersey outside of Philadelphia and moved to Placitas in 2021. My work experience was in the oil and gas business where I was a geophysicist for both a large and small independent oil company. I joined the board at Placitas Community Library Board in 2024 and I am looking forward to helping serve the library as well as the local community.
Jill Kennedy
I grew up in Maryland and lived in many places. I have been a resident of NM since 1964. After retiring from Albuquerque public schools as a teacher, we settled in Placitas in 2013. I have been a volunteer at the library since 2014 and joined the board in 2023.
Linda Lucero Hughes
I am a 30 plus year resident of Placitas and native New Mexican with family roots originating in Taos. I retired in 2021 after 40 plus years in the field of Nursing. I have redirected my energy into volunteering. I believe in the library board mission of providing resources and services to our diverse community which is the driving force behind my decision to join this dedicated group of library volunteers. joined the board in 2023.
Kathryn J. Miller, PhD (Kate)
I am a Placitas resident since 1983 and have been a member of the Board since 2022 and chair the Sustainability Committee. My work has been as an Organization Development Practitioner and a certified Executive Coach. I am a published poet and digital artist who loves to read. I take special joy traveling. I am a daily hiker in the area.
Susan Brown
I've lived in Placitas for 29 years and joined the Board last spring. Before retiring I was a family law attorney.
M. Claire Harwell
I joined the Placitas Community Library Board in January of 2026. I'm a retired attorney who worked in the nonprofit and government sectors. I believe passionately in building community through volunteerism and serve on four boards, including the Casa Rosa Food Pantry board in Placitas. I grew up in St. Petersburg, Fl, moved to Placitas from Boston, MA and have lived in New Mexico for three decades.
Ilia Rodriguez
The Villiage of Placitas has been my home since 2004, when I moved to NM to join the University of New Mexico faculty in the Department of Communication & Journalism. In my role as an educator for the past 30 years, I have served in many initiatives to provide educational resources and opportunities for underrepresented and diverse communities. I have experienced the transformative power of community libraries since my early childhood in my town of San Lorenzo, Puerto Rico, and look forward to contributing to the mission of the Placitas Community LIbrary as a board member. I joined the board here in 2026.
Michele (Shelley) Koffler
We have lived in New Mexico for over 50 years and have lived in Placitas for almost 30 years. I retired from the Albuquerque Public Schools after working with learning disabled children and being one of the hospital's children teachers at UNM's Children's hospital. During my retirement, I have enjoyed tennis, hiking, and Pilates, but have always strived to give back to the community. The Placitas Community Library adds so much to life in Placitas. I look forward to supporting the library and its mission as I begin my term on the library board in January 2026.
Board Meetings
Meetings of the Placitas Community Library Board of Directors are open to the public.
Where: At the Library
When: Third Thursdays of the month, unless noted otherwise at 6 p.m.