2025-2026 Board Members & Library Staff Liaison
Catherine Bird
My husband and I moved to Cambridgeport in 1996. I credit my mum for helping to develop my lifelong love of reading and libraries. I am heartened by the incredible ability of our libraries to adapt and evolve, to remain relevant and important to our communities. After being a Friend for many years, I an excited to join the Board to help support the Cambridge Public Library system. A true bookworm, I would always rather be reading.
Evan Chan
As a kid, the public library was a place of wonder, filled with surprises and endless knowledge. When my career shifted into government, I discovered that the public library is so much more than a place of learning. It is a nexus for local communities and a service provider for underserved populations. What excites me about being on the board of the Friends is the opportunity to bolster the library’s ability to bring people together and to build a stronger, more vibrant community.
Nancy Chen
Growing up in the suburbs of Cleveland, I was lucky to have access to two amazing libraries - the Cleveland Public Library and the Hudson Library & Historical Society. Almost every weekend, my family and I would spend hours at the library browsing the extensive book selection. This ignited my love for reading and libraries - the best weekends and school breaks were spent working through my pile of books. Since moving to Cambridge in 2009 to attend MIT, I have continued to seek out the Library, both through its physical and digital presence. I look forward to keeping the Library a magical place for the Cambridge community.
Rachael Coleman
When I first moved to Cambridge after graduate school, one of the first things I did for myself was get a library card for the Cambridge Public Library. As I’ve lived here, the library has not only provided me with books and movies, but it has also given me a sense of community through the wide assortment of events they host. I am passionate about supporting libraries and looking forward to helping more directly though my action as a board member of the Friends of the Cambridge Public Library.
Katinka Hakuta
Beyond the joy I get from having access to such an incredible collection of books and other material right in my own neighborhood through the Cambridge Public Library, I am continually inspired by the CPL's commitment to diversity, social justice, and lifelong learning for all. At this time more than ever, I am honored to have the opportunity to serve the community and the mission of the library through the Friends association. Because as Katherine Hepburn said, "What in the world would we do without our libraries?"
Danji Lian
Libraries have always been my home away from home - from the branches back in Toronto, Canada, to the historical archives in Prague, Czechia, to reading rooms across the world in Hangzhou, China, and to where I am now - here in Cambridge. Learning, creating, and sharing stories has anchored me as not only a scholar and artist, but as someone always seeking to grow wiser and be kinder, in an ever-changing world. Currently, I am an undergraduate student at Harvard University, studying Neuroscience and Sociology, and am honored to provide a unique perspective focused on student and youth engagement with the Library community, while contributing to CPL's mission in celebrating our community's diverse and wonderful stories.
Regis Shields
I have been a Cambridge resident for 26 years and a CPL library user for almost all of those years. Working from home for many of those years, I first discovered the library as a place to work. I loved coming to "work" every day because of the vibrant and diverse community using CPL. But, of course, once familiar with the Cambridge library system, it is almost impossible not to fall in love with it. My relationship with the library has evolved and broadened as I have aged and the library's services have expanded. I am now dipping my toes into the senior offerings, and I also hope to take advantage of the Hive now that I have completed the requisite safety class. Being a member of the Board is an opportunity to support the CPL at a time when some are questioning the critical role of libraries in our democracy.
M.K. Wong
As a native New Yorker, one of my favorite activities as a child was going to our neighborhood library to borrow books from my school's summer reading list. Since then, I’ve never stopped enjoying where a good book can take me, and now share my love of many authors with my father! As manager of a gift store and studio teaching Nantucket Basket Weaving, I have gotten to know many members of the Cambridge community. Wanting to become more involved in the community led me to the Friends Board of the Cambridge Public Library. I frequently stop by the Library after work or on my days off to peruse the shelves and enjoy the quiet open space. Much of my volunteer work has been helping organizations create special events to engage the greater community. I look forward to working with the Library to further its mission.
Maria McCauley, Director of Libraries and Board Member Ex Officio
Maria McCauley has served as Director of Libraries for the City of Cambridge since August 2016. She began her library career 17 years ago at the Cambridge Public Library in Circulation and Reference Services. Before returning to Cambridge, Maria served as the Director of Libraries in Santa Monica, Director of Libraries for the City of Somerville, and held several library positions at Northeastern University.
Maria received a Bachelor of Arts from Ohio Wesleyan University, a Master of Library and Information Science from the University of Pittsburgh and has received her PhD from Simmons. She is an elected American Library Association (ALA) Councilor-At-Large. Her research has been published in College & Research Libraries, Library Management and portal.