Diane Smikahl - Library Director

Diane was appointed to the position of Director of the Benicia Public Library in June 2005. She arrived in Benicia as part of a circuitous route through the State of California, as she grew up in Alamo, just 20 miles south of Benicia. In 1981, she received a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from the University of California, Davis, and then traveled south to Los Angeles to obtain her Master’s Degree in Library and Information Science in 1983. During an internship and for the next five years, Diane worked as a reference librarian at the Los Angeles County Law Library. She then planned and established a Santa Monica law firm library and operated that for two years before moving to the eastern Sierras. She worked for the Mono County Libraries for 13 years in a progression of positions from Branch Librarian to Library Director. In 2000, she incorporated the Mono County Law libraries into the public library system, synthesizing her experiences in both those fields. She recently was Chair of the Mountain Valley Library System, was one of several presenters on rural libraries at the California Library Association’s annual conference, and is a member of the California Library Association and American Library Association.

Daveta Cooper - Supervising Librarian

Daveta received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of California, Berkeley and her Masters of Library Science from the University of Oregon. Daveta has worked previously in many branches of the Alameda County Library, including 3 years as a librarian serving the county jail. She has been at the Benicia Public Library since 1995 and is in charge of cataloging and processing books to get them ready for use. Daveta is known as the “Frog Lady” because of her large collection of frog items (not including live frogs).

Fran Martinez-Coyne - Public Services Librarian

Fran is responsible for overseeing the Reference Section of the Library which includes the reference desk schedules and reference purchasing. She also plans all the great adult entertainers who perform at the Library. Fran has been at the Benicia Public Library since 1996 and brings a wide array of experience with her. She has worked in libraries for more years than she will admit and in a number of locales including New Mexico, Oklahoma, Washington, DC and California. She has also worked in many different types of libraries including public, academic, law, medical and even the Library of Congress! Fran has a Bachelors degree in Sociology from the University of New Mexico. She received her Masters of Library Science from the University of Maryland at College Park in 1995 and also has graduate course work from the Catholic University of America in social work.

Allison Angell - Youth Services Manager

Allison Angell started work as a children’s librarian at the Benicia Public Library in July 2000. Allison received a B.A. in English literature and history in 1994, an M.A. in history in 1996, and an M.L.S. in May of 2000, all from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. In 2006 Allison was made Youth Services Manager and she oversees children and young adult services. She enjoys storytelling, reference, and matching patrons with books that are right for them.

Anita Falltrick - Reference Librarian

After working as a part-time substitute librarian for about 2 years, Anita joined the full-time staff in August 2002. Anita was born in Sacramento, earned a Bachelor’s degree in ancient history from CSU Fresno and her Master’s Degree in Library Science from San Jose State University. She has had a variety of work experience, including retail and libraries. She has been a church librarian for over 15 years in various churches in the state and enjoys working with teenagers through her church.

Anita loves action movies and reading.  She is a confirmed bibliophile and chocoholic and does not intend to seek rehab for either addiction in the future.

Claire Sue - Children’s Librarian

Claire received her Bachelor of Arts in French from the University of California, Berkeley in 2000, where she had her first library job as a Student Library Employee in the Earth Sciences Library and Map Collection. She received her Masters of Library and Information Science from the University of California, Los Angeles in 2004. After graduation, she took a position as a Children's Librarian in Burbank, CA for two years. She always knew that she would want to return to her family in the Bay Area and jumped when the opportunity became available. She is very excited to be serving Benicia as a Children's Librarian.

Brandi Bette Smead - Teen Services Librarian

Brandi Bette has been with the Benicia Public Library since July 2006. After specializing in foreign languages in her undergraduate studies at Ohio University, she traveled the globe to find herself back in Ohio, her native state. Like every other language major (who doesn't want to teach), she pondered what to do with her degree. After moving to Cleveland, OH she began working in the Heights Libraries at the Cleveland Heights - University Heights Main Library conducting the program, "Spanish for Little People," where she helped children, age 3-6, learn Spanish through music, stories and games. Six months later, she applied to attend Kent State University School of Library and Information Science. Subsequently, she received one of the "New Librarians, New Leaders" Scholarships from the Institute of Museum and Library Services for her dedication to teen services. Just five days before she graduated from KSU, Benicia Public Library offered her the position of Teen Services Librarian; the rest is history!

Lynne A. Price - Adult Literacy

Lynne A. Price is coordinator for the Adult Literacy & ESL Program. She earned her BA in Christian Education from Patten College in 1996, and is completing her Masters in Education/Reading from St. Mary’s College in Moraga, CA. Lynne worked as Literacy Supervisor for Project Read at the San Francisco Public Library prior to joining the Benicia staff. She serves as chair of the California State Library/California Library Literacy Services Committee on Diversity; curriculum developer for the nonprofit SIBL project (Songs Inspired by Literature); and is a consultant/trainer with other literacy programs in the Bay Area. She is a member of American Library Association, California Library Association, International Reading Association, and the Advisory Committee for the School of Education at St. Mary’s College in Moraga.

Carolyn Cadloni - Technical Services and Reference

Carolyn has been with the Benicia Public Library since 1995. She has a Bachelors degree in Anthropology from the University of California Davis and a Certificate in Library Information and Technology from Diablo Valley College. She was born and raised in Vallejo and has lived in Benicia with her husband and daughter since 1981. She has enjoyed volunteering in Benicia Schools for many years and now enjoys her great job, family, friends, home and travel.

Michelle A. Belcher - Technical Services

Michelle has worked for the Benicia Public Library for many years. She works in technical services: ordering, receiving, cataloging and processing library materials. She recently received her Library Technical Services and Information Certificate from Diablo Valley College.

Sally Kinane - Reference Desk, Computer Maintenance and Web Pages

Sally works at the Reference desk some of the time and does other jobs such as design these web pages, help with odd jobs and maintain all the Library’s computers. She received her certificate in Library Technology from Diablo Valley College. Originally an RN, Sally has had a varied career as an Army nurse, office nurse, mother, volunteer, high school yearbook advisor and taught many children how to swim. Sally has also traveled extensively, visiting such places as Australia, Europe, Japan, Mexico and Taiwan and has also lived in Guam. Outside of work, Sally enjoys quilting, reading, her husband and their three daughters.

Ann Deusenberry - Library Assistant II - Circulation Desk

Ann has an Associate degree in English from San Joaquin Delta Community College in Stockton and a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies from CSU Hayward. She has been working in libraries for 12 years, starting as a Department Aide, shelving books at the Rio Vista Library. She is now a Library Assistant II, and among other things coordinates the circulation desk staff schedule.

Gina Shimel- Library Assistant II -Circulation Desk

Toni Yosick - Department Secretary

Toni is the Department Secretary. She joined the staff in January 2000, after spending nearly 17 years at Benicia City Hall. In addition to working for the Director and staff, she is also Secretary to the Library Board of Trustees.

Helaine Bowles - Volunteer and Outreach Coordinator

Helaine joined the Library as the Volunteer Coordinator in October 2000. She recruits, trains, and schedules adult volunteers to work with the library staff. She bacame Outreach Coordinator in 2007. Before moving to Benicia in the summer of 2000, Helaine worked in Charlotte, NC, for the public school system. One of her major responsibilities involved coordination of volunteers at an elementary school. She has always been an active volunteer at her son’s schools. Helaine is looking forward to exploring California and the West coast.