I come from a family of teachers, retired from teaching, worked in real estate and have always found libraries welcoming places where I could access information of all kinds. I have used several libraries in the surrounding communities and prefer to use this one because of the helpful, welcoming staff and the ongoing activities.

Over my lifetime I have always enjoyed reading, browsing through libraries, looking at photos in books, and the décor inside libraries. I want others to enjoy the library as much as I have. Our library has all the resources of larger libraries, and the staff helps anyone to use  them. I want to see this library stay connected with the surrounding community where I lived for over 40 years and volunteered for many of those years.

I will serve as a Director and will always recommend the library as a resource to everyone.

I have lived in Hickory Creek since March of 1969. I am married to Chick Anderson (61 years). We have two sons, David who lives in Bartonville, and Bill (deceased). Both of our sons attended Lake Dallas schools through graduation. I retired in 2008 from teaching kindergarten in Lewisville ISD. 

Some experiences that utilized and demonstrated my leadership skills:

• Trustee for Lake Dallas ISD for 15 years, several years as board president

• Conference Director of Lay Servant Ministries for 4 years (North

• Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church)

• Boy Scouts of America, 9 years, Cub Roundtable Commissioner

• several years

Some awards received for leadership in various roles:

• District Award of Merit, highest honor for a scouting volunteer

• Teacher of the Year, Lakeland Elementary

• Runner-up for Teacher of the Year, LISD

• Harry Denman Evangelism Award, North Texas Conference of UMC

• Lifetime Achievement Award, Lake Cities Chamber of Commerce

• Citizen of the Year, Lake Cities Chamber of Commerce

I am a life-long reader and library card holder and currently reside in Pilot Point, Texas. I know from personal experience how important libraries are to promote learning and curiosity to people of all ages and income levels, especially those who are struggling economically. My love of reading and access to books provided a foundation for success throughout my life and I want everyone to have access to the same advantages. 

My mother, Gaye Bridges, helped found the Lake Dallas Library to provide library access to people living in the Lake Cities and it’s important for me to continue her legacy. It’s amazing to see the progress of the library from its humble beginnings with donated books, shelving and desks to the bright, inviting library of today. I want the library to continue to thrive and expand its offerings to the community.

It’s important that everyone has access to the many services the Lake Dallas Library provides. Many of these services are unavailable anywhere else. After graduating from the University of North Texas, I embarked on a thirty-plus-year career in commercial real estate/banking. Now retired and living in Pilot Point, Texas, I want to give back to the library that my mother-in-law, Gaye Bridges, founded fifty years ago. 

Her dream was to have a library that could provide books, services, and other educational materials to the community. I want to help carry on her dream. 

Born and raised in South Texas, I am a dedicated and forward-thinking leader with a passion for helping my local community. My background in management, information technology, and communications brings a wealth of experience in planning, team development, and operational excellence. Over the years, I have built a reputation for fostering collaboration, championing innovation, and delivering results that matter and make a difference. 

My decision to run for a 2nd term as a director of Friends of The Lake Dallas Library stems from a deep commitment to help build and maintain a strong learning foundation for children and the residents of the Lake Cities communities. Strong leadership is rooted in transparency, empathy and action – and I am ready and willing to bring those qualities to the forefront when necessary. I believe in a future where every voice is heard, every challenge is met with creativity, and every opportunity is seized to move the organization into the future. 

Background & Accomplishments:

US Marine Corps Sergeant (1984-1991) ~ Held manager positions at

Hyatt Regency, Whataburger, Boston Market & Discovery Zone ~

Owner – D. K. Travel

Founder – C-Xpress CORP (IT Company), Corinth, TX; 510 Poker Club

(Help Lake Cities organizations raise money to fulfill their missions),

Corinth, TX; Coffee 4 Heroes (Provide fresh roasted coffee to active

military, veterans, and first responders), Corinth, TX

Lifetime Member – Marine Corps League Detachment #862, Lake

Dallas, TX; American Legion Post 88, Lake Dallas, TX; Lake Cities

ABATE, Lake Dallas, TX; and Denton Elks Lodge #2446, Denton, TX.

My lifelong journey in Lake Dallas, Texas began in 1980 when I married my husband and I continued my education at a vocational college in Denton, Texas until graduation. For several years I worked as a cosmetologist where my love of creativity and interacting with people grew. My husband and I loved traveling and seeing new places and meeting so many different people. After my husband died in 1998, I went back to work substitute teaching and worked the Census 2000 in many different roles finishing as Manager of Recruiting. Following a brief time of traveling, I began working in the field of research where I learned and developed new skills, traveled and met all kinds of people. For three years I had a booth space at the McKinney Flea Market and three different Craft Malls as well as a few random outside markets which led me to opening my own retail shop in Lake Dallas in 2005. While in business for myself, I continued working different studies for the same major research company out of Rockville, Maryland. After nine years, I closed my shop and continued working in research along with jobs as an Event Specialist at Target, Walmart, Sams, Costco and other stores. Around this same time, I retired from work due to an inherited disease known as Degenerative Disk Disease (DDD). Although the pain has slowed me down, it has not stopped me in continuing to volunteer when and where I can.

I love Lake Dallas, my home and our library. From the time I first moved to Lake Dallas, I enjoyed going to our library and as a child I was always encouraged to utilize our local libraries. I view libraries as safe places, fun places, places to learn, places to meet people and make new friends. When our library was known as The Lake Cities Library and was supported by the four surrounding Lake Cities, I became involved as a board member where the board consisted of two people from each city serving as the Lake Cities Library Advisory Board. One by one the cities began to pull their funding leaving Lake Dallas as the sole financial support for our library. It wasn’t until the financial burden became so great threatening that our library might close its doors forever that The Friends of The Lake Dallas Library was born.  I’m proud the city of Lake Dallas allowed the Friends group to work with them while recognizing the importance and “gem” that our library is to everyone who walks through its doors. I am also thankful for the many hours spent working on the yearly budget that allows funding for our library. Our library has grown and flourished under its new management and staff along with The Friends of The Lake Dallas Library and the city of Lake Dallas. And, I am proud to support and attend its activities for as long as I am able.