Plainfield Public Library Board of Trustees

Cynthia Slade has over 40 years of managerial experience in operations, production management and human resources. Her professional experience began at AT&T where she held numerous positions in personnel, recruiting, and benefits delivery. She retired from Lucent Technologies as a Business Analyst charged with the development of the Integrated Voice Response System to support W4, paycheck delivery, direct deposit, and web-based tools. She served as Operations Manager at Conduent charged with administering NJ FamilyCare and directly responsible for managing the Outreach, Appeals, Document Control, Quality, Training and Premium teams. Cynthia worked on the Smart-Growth project for Plainfield, gathering information for school improvements. She is a certified MLC Certified Medicaid Professional (MCMP-11) having completed a certificate program at the Medicaid Learning Center and is a graduate of the University of Maryland with a degree in Business Management.

Carlos retired in 2020 after a 30 year career as a U.S. Pretrial Services Officer, Drug and Alcohol Treatment Specialist, overseeing Drug and Mental Health Treatment. He is a graduate of Hunter College in New York City, where he obtained his Master’s Degree in Education. Prior to attending Hunter College he attended John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York City, and obtained his Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice and an Associate’s Degree in Police Science.

Carlos moved to Plainfield in July 2006 and has volunteered in various organizations in New York City and New Jersey, including his church in Glen Rock, New Jersey.

Donald Brown comes to the Library with a rich background in multicultural affairs and education. With over 40 years experience in the educational field he is an asset to the Library and the challenges faced in the multicultural community of Plainfield. Past positions include Professor of Counseling at The College of New Jersey, Assistant Director for the study of Society and Black History at NJ Institute, Assistant Dean of Multicultural Affairs for Rider University and Director of the Center for Multicultural Affairs and Community Service at Rider. He currently sits on two advisory boards at Rider University. He holds an ABD in Educational Theory from Rutgers University, a Masters of Education, Counseling from Newark State College and an undergraduate degree from Delaware State College.

Pat retired from The BOC Group (now Linde LLC) in 2007 after a 30 year career as a corporate attorney. She continues to act as a witness for Linde when litigation arises involving discontinued businesses. Prior to moving to New Jersey in 1977 she was an attorney with the law firm of McNees, Wallace and Nurick in Harrisburg, PA. She is a graduate of Hampton University and taught art for 3 years following her graduation in 1966. Pat obtained her law degree in 1972 from Howard University School of Law in Washington, DC.

Pat moved to Plainfield in 1989 and was very active with the YWCA of Central NJ, holding several offices and serving as Board President from 2007 to 2009. She is currently an Elder and President of the Board of Trustees at Crescent Avenue Presbyterian Church. She has supported the Friends of the Plainfield Public Library and has been a literacy tutor, actively tutoring from 2007-2012. She has been a member of the Plainfield Public Library Board of Trustees since 2014.

Inez Phillips Durham has a lifelong career as a practicing psychologist, a public school administrator and a community advocate. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from Douglass College, a Master of Social Work degree from Rutgers, The State University and a Doctor of Psychology degree from Rutgers, Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology. The focus of her professional work as well as of her volunteer activities has been on serving children and their families and on serving her community. Her dynamic approach as a public school administrator led to the establishment of cutting-edge programs in student services in two New Jersey public school systems. In serving families as staff psychologist at JFK, Inez received a certificate in recognition and appreciation of her valuable service to the JFK Health Systems, Inc. In Plainfield and the surrounding area, her community work began with an appointment by Mayor Paul O’Keeffe to the Reaction Advisory Committee in 1974. Her volunteer community activities have been extensive and led to many resolutions and citations from such as the National Association For The Advancement of Colored People, Senator Nicholas P. Scutari, 22nd New Jersey Legislative District, the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, the Township Council of the Township of Piscataway, the NJ Coalition of Black Trade Unions, and the Board of Trustees of United Family and Children’s Society of Plainfield, NJ. Elected positions have been to the Plainfield City Committee, Ward 2, and District 10 and to The Plainfield Board of Education, where she served as Vice President and President. Her relationship with Plainfield Public Library dates back to 1968 when her family became card holders. She and John, her husband borrowed many books and records and Jennifer, her daughter participated in many of the wonderful programs for children. Always a volunteer and a friend for the library, Inez particularly enjoined serving on the 100 year anniversary committee and producing the New Jersey Author Night. Presently. Inez serves on the Board of Trustees of Plainfield Public Library as treasurer, as a member of the finance committee and as chair of the nominating committee.

A retired teacher, Joanne Macaluso served twenty-five years in the Plainfield Public Schools. These were the some of the most productive of her forty- year career. She directed the First Unitarian Society of Plainfield Food Pantry for fifteen years, serving people in need. As past President of the Board of Trustees of that church, Joanne began the process of donating the building to the city of Plainfield for use as the Plainfield Performing Arts Center. She is very proud to be a volunteer at Valarie’s Soup Kitchen at Crescent Avenue Presbyterian Church, and says, “Plainfield is my city!”

With twenty-four years of experience in public education, Dr. Tankard has dedicated her career to fostering a love for literacy and ensuring educational success for all students. Her journey in education has taken her through various roles, including teacher, instructional coach, building-based supervisor, and building administrator. She is currently serving as the K-12 ELA/Literacy Supervisor for the Plainfield Public School District, where sheI continues to promote literacy as a critical foundation for student achievement. Having previously worked in Plainfield as a building-based literacy coach/ supervisor, she is thrilled to return to the district and reconnect with the community she is so passionate about serving.

Dr. Tankard holds an undergraduate degree in Elementary and Special Education from Manhattan College, along with three advanced degrees from Kean University: a Master’s in Reading Specialization, a Master’s in Administration, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership. These educational milestones reflect her commitment to enhancing the learning experiences of both students and educators.

At the heart of her career is a passion for making literacy accessible and attainable for all learners, ensuring that every student can find success through the power of reading and writing. As both a parent and an educator, Dr. Tankard strives to create opportunities that mirror the high standards she holds for her own children, always aiming to provide the best possible education for all.

Mary Ellen Rogan has been employed at the Plainfield Public Library since 2009. She has a B.A. in History from Brooklyn College and an M.S. in Library and Information Science from Columbia University, with a concentration in Archives Management. She has been a professional librarian and archivist for over twenty two years, including eighteen years at the New York Public Library.

She holds a certificate from Boston University in Genealogical Research and consults in Local History concerning lineage society queries. She is a member of the Mid-Atlantic Regional Archives Conference (MARAC) and the New Jersey Library Association (NJLA).  She is the Plainfield Library representative to Libraries of Union County (LUCC) and is a member of the History and Preservation and Urban Libraries sections of NJLA.

Her personal associations include membership in the Society of Mayflower Descendants and the Daughters of the American Revolution, New England Genealogical Society and New Jersey Genealogical Society.