Current Board Members

Tyler Johnson President

Tyler holds a master’s degree in library and information science from the University of South Carolina. Prior to relocating to Pendleton in 2021, he worked as a reference librarian in public and academic settings for several years. Tyler is a firm believer that public libraries are one of our country’s most precious yet undervalued civic institutions. Tyler’s favorite writers include Ralph Ellison, Ross Gay, Danielle Allen, and Melvin Rogers. He is currently reading Imani Perry’s Black in Blues: How A Color Tells the Story of My People (2025).

Tyler’s Favorite PFOL event or story: “One thing that always impresses me is how invested the community is in the annual book sale. It’s amazing to see the generosity our community members extend to PFOL and the library in terms of volunteer hours, donations, attendance at the sale, and more. I’m also super impressed and grateful for all the hard work that PFOL members put in all year long to make the book sale a success. There’s a lot of unrecognized planning and spade work that goes into the sale, and their dedication is commendable.”

Amanda Lowe Vice President

Amanda arrived in Pendleton by way of the University of Idaho, where she received her Masters of Science in Agricultural Extension Education, and Washington State University with a Bachelors of Science in Agricultural Communication and Public Relations. Since spending nearly a decade in the Palouse working in research, she has resided in Pendleton since 2016 and works for the Umatilla Indian Reservation as a Soil Conservationist / rangeland rover / geology nerd / amateur botanist.

Her lifetime of adventures started in Narnia, where her young heart will always stay. She's studied at Hogwarts, spent 100 years in Macondo, floated with Pi, marched with Captains Gus McCrae and Woodrow Call, and even lived the Florida hijinks of Serge Storms. Some of her favorite authors are Cormac McCarthy, George Orwell, Gregory Maguire, and Charlotte Perkins Gilman, to name just a few.

She's the proud mother of two amazing kids, in whom she hopes to instill a life time of wonder and learning; and who frequently haunt the Pendleton Public Library. Amanda is grateful to have the chance to contribute to our community and serve our library patrons in any way she can.

Marjie Prowant Secretary

Marjie holds a bachelor’s degree in Earth Science and a master’s in Education from Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana. She moved to Pendleton in 1975 and worked at BMCC for 30+ years teaching GED and HS completion classes.

Marjie’s love of mysteries started way back with Nancy Drew and The Hardy Boys; then evolved to Tom Clancy, Dan Brown and James Baldacci. She also enjoys non-fiction author Timothy Egan. Marjie just finished reading One Second After by William R, Forstchen.

Marjie's Favorite PFOL event or story: "The best part of PFOL for me is community support. Accepting book donations, then sorting and getting those books back out to the public through our annual booksale in October. I love that the booksale brings the town together as businesses and individuals donate their time and expertise to support the library."

Pam Andersen

Book Sorting Wizard

Greg Holden

Greg is a retired elementary teacher, having taught for 35 years in various positions. His first position was teaching in Richland, Oregon for 2 years. Greg and his wife moved to Pendleton where he taught 6th grade for six years, then 4th grade for 22 years before retiring (and subbing for 5 years).

He spent a year as Interim Executive Director for Heritage Station Museum. Now he volunteers for several groups as a board member.

In 1993, he joined the Pendleton Friends of the Library Board, serving many assignments as a board officer and on various committees.

His favorite activity has been the annual book sale which started in 1983 with about 3,000 books and has grown to offer between 30,000 and 40,000 books, as well as many other types of media.

HIs favorite book series is the Harry Potter collection by J. K. Rowling. He also like Andrew Clements, who wrote different books for children.

Theresa and Sean Deagan

Sean and Theresa joined PFOL at the request of their daughter, Rosanna Brown, who was president at the time. While Rosanna moved on to other things, the Degans remained.

While Sean served almost 30 years in the Navy, Theresa held various clerical positions at each duty station. Books were always a comfort, especially before new friends were made. The neighborhood libraries saved the family a lot of money through the years.

The Degan family first came to Pendleton in 1996 where Sean had recruiting duty. After three years they all moved to Virginia Beach, but one at a time, they all returned. Along the way, Sean earned his Bachelor of Science in Professional Aeronautics from Embry Riddle University.

Sean hated reading until the ninth grade when an enthusiastic nun fueled his interest. He’s been and avid reader of action/adventure, sci-fi, and westerns ever since. When Theresa was little, her mother read books to Theresa and her siblings and half of the neighborhood every summer, which gave Theresa a love of stories. She reads almost anything, but gave up romance novels when Sean couldn’t compete with those hunky heroes. Their daughters became veracious readers and fought over new books. At one time the family of four was sharing a single copy of Jurassic Park—one book with four bookmarks.

They have always loved the thrill of the book sale, even before joining PFOL, and are amazed at how the community (and Rosanna) shows up to help when the time comes.

Erin Biencourt

Jennifer Colton-Jones

Growing up as both an avid reader and a military brat, Jennifer has always gravitated toward public libraries. No matter where her family moved, she was able to connect with people who shared a love of reading. That love of libraries has continued, even though Jennifer has now lived in Pendleton for 10 years, and now her three children join her in programs and reading.

Jennifer holds a master's degree in communications from Gonzaga University and a bachelor's degree from Eastern Oregon University. An English major, her favorite books are "The Count of Monte Cristo" and "The Scarlet Pimpernel," but she enjoys reading a variety of books. She is currently reading "Fifty Miles from Tomorrow: A Memoir of Alaska and the Real People" and "The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue."

Jennifer's Favorite PFOL event or story: In 2024, PFOL was able to bring best-selling author Gail Carriger to Pendleton for the PFOL annual meeting and three community events. In addition to meeting one of her favorite authors, Jennifer was able to watch Gail Carriger share her craft and stories with our community, including students at Sunridge Middle School.

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