Who We Are

The Larkspur Library Foundation is managed by a Board of Directors and their officers. The efforts of the Board and its officers are entirely voluntary. These volunteers donate their time and talent to growing the Foundation so that it can continue to provide support for the Larkspur Library, known affectionately as the "World's Greatest Little Library".

Board of Directors

Larry R. Lanctot, President

A Founder of the Foundation and current President; member of the Larkspur Planning Commission 1982-1991; Larkspur City Council member 1991-2003; Mayor 1996 and 2001; lawyer, partner of Watson & Lanctot LLP, San Francisco; graduate of Santa Clara University (B.A. History), University of San Francisco School of Law (J.D.) and Columbia School of Law (LLM); resident of Larkspur since 1972.

“The Library is a center of vitality in Larkspur; and I want to help nourish the light of learning and joy of reading in our community.”

Lois Patton, Treasurer

A Founder of the Foundation who has long served as a director and its Treasurer. Graduate of University of Redlands (B.A.), University of California, Berkeley (secondary and elementary teaching credentials). She has been a resident of Larkspur for 45 years.

“The Larkspur Library is a special place and an important part of why the City of Larkspur is so special. The Foundation provides much needed support, and I am happy to be a member of the board.

Jim Hunnewell

Nick Tarlson

Philip Terry

A Founder of the Foundation and a Director; a member of the City of Larkspur Library Board for over 35 years; former director of Systems Computer Software at PG&E; poet and painter and a Larkspur resident for 43 years. Graduate of San Francisco State University (BA in History).

“Libraries need more funding and being a member of the Foundation Board allows me an opportunity to support the Larkspur Library, which has given me so much knowledge and pleasure living in Larkspur.”

History

The Larkspur Library Foundation is one of the first non-profit corporations in Marin County, California formed for the purpose of supporting a local public library.

In March 1977 twenty-five dedicated Larkspur citizens signed the organizing documents for the Larkspur Library Foundation. They wanted a non-profit corporation that would provide permanent support for the City of Larkspur's municipal library. The articles of incorporation mention the Foundation's literary and educational purposes "for the advancement of the public library of the City of Larkspur" and to "provide funds for an endowment for the benefit of the public library of Larkspur".

As the articles state, the Larkspur Library Foundation maintains certain funds as a permanent endowment allowing income to be spent for the Library while preserving the endowed principal; and it also maintains other unrestricted funds to support the Library. In 2005, the Larkspur Library Foundation established a separate building fund so that donors can earmark donations for use on a further renovated or new library building.