From the Harford County Public Library:
(Belcamp, Maryland – March 24, 2011) Harford County Public Library is pleased to announce Amber C. Shrodes has joined the organization as Foundation Director. As the Foundation Director, Shrodes is responsible for raising funds to augment the financial resources of the Library and promote awareness of library services.
“I am honored to serve Harford County Public Library in this capacity,” said Shrodes. “As a longtime advocate and customer of this exceptional resource, I am delighted to be able to support the Library during this critical phase, where funding is limited, yet the need and demand for services has increased exponentially. While the economic downturn is a challenge, I am confident we can offer our partners an unprecedented return on their sponsorship investments as the Library serves over 210,000 local borrowers at its eleven branches and two outreach vehicles.”
According to Shrodes, top priorities for the Foundation include the renovation of the Bel Air branch’s Early Literacy Interactive Space; coordinating partnerships for the Library’s Summer Reading Program, which provides incentives for preschool to high school age students to engage in reading, math, and science activities to counter summer learning loss; and increasing the number of LEAP Kits currently in circulation. LEAP Kits are comprehensive learning tools that allow
library customers to access high-end science equipment including microscopes, rock collections, and programmable robots to explore science, math, and engineering projects at home.
“Amber Shrodes brings extensive experience and knowledge of the Harford County community and a proven track record in building relationships and partnerships. We are delighted that Ms. Shrodes has joined the Harford County Public Library team,” said Mary Hastler, Library Director.
Formerly the Marketing and Communications Director for MacKenzie Commercial Real Estate Services, LLC, Shrodes has a multi-disciplined background in business development, marketing, event coordination, and public relations. During her four-year tenure with MacKenzie she was responsible for developing and implementing marketing strategies for the parent company, MacKenzie Ventures, and its seven affiliate firms. Prior to that position, Shrodes served as the Marketing Specialist for the Harford County Office of Economic Development where she played a leading role in numerous award-winning business development and marketing strategies including the Taste of Harford, the Chesapeake Science and
Security Corridor, and the County’s Maryland Ready campaign, which was later adopted by the State.
Shrodes, a graduate of the University of Maryland, is an active member of the Army Alliance, Maryland Economic Development Association, and Northeastern Maryland Technology Council. In addition, she serves on the Marketing Committee for Harford Habitat for Humanity.
Harford County Public Library operates eleven branches located throughout Harford County, Maryland. The library serves over 210,000 registered borrowers of all ages and has an annual circulation of almost 4,700,000. Harford County Public Library is committed to connecting people with information and promoting the love of reading within the community.
The Harford County Public Library Foundation is a 501(c)3 charitable organization established to raise funds to augment the financial resources of the Harford County Public Library and to promote awareness of its services. For more information call 410 273 5601 x 2283.
Anybody else? says
So, does this have anything to do with Amber being married to Councilman Chad Shrodes? That seems like a serious conflict of interest.
Sarah says
How in the world is it a conflict of interest? Her job will be to raise money for the nonprofit library foundation. And from what I’ve heard she’ll be taking quite a pay cut from where she was working before. Amber was a rising star in the community long before she met and married Councilman Shrodes. She will do a great job.
Porter says
No conflict whatsoever.
frankly speaking says
not any more than the CE spouse being on the board for Community Action Agency or Harkins spouse doing the same for years. It helps this non-profit to have people that are both qualified and connected to possible influence and funding sources. If she is going to be working in marketing it seems like a field that she has worked before and can help them out with her expertise.
Kim Wagner says
I have known Amber Shrodes for many years, and she is highly qualified for this position. She is a very talented writer and is up to date on modern marketing methods which will benefit the Library Foundation. The biggest benefit is Amber is an integral part of our community and knows alot of people in the business world, non-profit world and to a small extent, the political world. Amber had “arrived” long before she married Chad and I am delighted she will be the Library Foundation ED
Karen Green says
Welcome. The library is such a wonderful part of our community and frequently is under valued. I personally love the fact that the services are accessible to all and of the dedicated staff and volunteers who have maintained and continuously update resources. Bravo.
Bill Vanden Eynden says
Amber is an extremely talented person and is well deserving of this position. How in the world somebody could think this was a conflict of interest is beyond me!
Louie DePalma says
Is this a paid position?
You know, maybe there is no conflict of interest right now. Maybe there will be none in the future. But why even go down that road. In politics, and quasi government (Libraries) perception is reality. Wanna bet everyone at Library HQ knows who her husband is. Wanna bet everyone is whatever County agency she may have to interact with will know who her husband is. Why go down that road.
Sarah says
Louie DePalma, I think you are confusing the Harford County Public Library system itself with the HCPL Foundation. Had she been hired by HCPL rather than the Foundation, then you might have a valid argument (even though I would still probably disagree, as Amber is a very impressive individual).
The foundation is not an entity that spends County funds — in fact it is just the opposite. It is a nonprofit that raises private funds to augment library funds and improve library resources.
I was actually surprised that the Foundation was even able to get Amber.
Porter says
@LOUIE DEPALMA, Ms. Shrodes has an absolute right to work for whomever wants to hire her.
Any conflicts of interest would be derivative of her actions and those of her husband’s. By the standard inferred by other posters Amber wouldn’t be able to work for residential contractor, engineering/environmental firm, law office, accounting firm, HCPS or any other business/institution/government agency.
Heck by the sounds of it some would restrict her from being elected county executive with her husband on the council.
Louie DePalma says
Porter;
You are right, she has the right to whatever employment will accept her. However, when in the employ of the tax payers, you and or your spouse are open to review and questions. Hence I again ask, and Porter you may have the answer, is this a paid position?
Porter says
@LOUIE DEPALMA I disagree. Ms. Shrodes applied for this position not her husband.
Under employment law the hiring authority in government, non-profit or private sectors with a very few exceptions can’t legally ask if you are even married.
Louie DePalma says
Porter:
Again you miss the point. Mr. Shrodes, by all appearence is a good and honorable man. However he serves the taxpayers, and recieves a salary from those taxpayers. His spouse has now been chosen for employment for pay from those very same tax payers. Moreover, Haford County Public libraires was and most likely is still in the midst of a buget crisis, branch hours reduced and talk of closings. Now is it prudent for the spouse of a decision maker in Harford County government to be employed by that same government. Why even go down that road. Just get a job somewhere else, Mrs. Shrodes sounds to be a bright and talented professional and should have no difficulty doing so.
Porter says
@LOUIE DEPALMA – Again I disagree, if Amber Schrodes whom I don’t know wants to work for The Harford County Public Library Foundation a 501(c)3 charitable organization there should be nothing other than meeting the stated job qualifications.
If Amber were Mr. Schrodes live-in girlfriend what could you say under those circumstances.
Louise I think you are being a “busy body”.
Ron Chapman says
I don’t see an issue here except that maybe we want to find something that isn’t there. It clearly states in the title “Harford County Public Library Foundation Director”, this is a non-profit 501(c)3 which builds its funds through fundraisers, grants and donations. It doesn’t say she is going to be the Executive of Libraries for Harford County. I think we need to decrease the amount of sugar we are putting in the tea folks and try Sanka on for size. They partner with the library to help and assist in deployment of donated and raised funds (once again by grants,outreach,etc). In a time when you all obviously know the librarys are in a budget crunch its good somebody with her credentials is in there for the foundation….not the head of the Harford County public library.
And yes to answer your questions there is pay in non-profits but this comes out of the 501(c)3 overhead yearly and in the budgets. C’mon folks…give it a break already.
frankly speaking says
Clearly Louie needs some lessons in ethics and law. Amber has every right to work for the foundation as long as she is qualified and willing to work there. Her husband’s political position has nothing to do with it. O’Malley’s spouse is a state judge and her father used to the attorney general. As long as her position does not unduly influence his positon, then knowing someone, being related to someone or being family with the same is a non-issue. In addition, this non-profit is not part of county govt.
Porter says
@FRANKLY SPEAKING Amen.
Louie Depalma says
Frankly Speaking,
Thank you, you made my case. Government is now the trough from which the chosen have decided to draw from. Think about it. Less than a year ago the Libraries were crying for funds and threatening closure. Now they can afford to hire Mrs. Shrodes. Was her position advertised and who approved her hire. By the way what is her salary?
frankly speaking says
The library foundation is not funded by the county. It is a non-profit working to help the library system depend of less govt funding..how much she gets paid is not important since the article wasn’t about her pay anyway.
Bonniebluebutler says
Hey. What are they paying that lady. I’m available and have been looking for a job. Mrs. O’Mally beat me to the judge job.
Oscar says
From what I’ve been reading, I am curious what is the pay? No one seems to have any idea and the article failed to mention if the position drew a salary or was a volunteer fundraiser.
Louie is right, the Libraries were broke a year or so ago, what changed.
WAHT IS THE PAY
Porter says
Who cares what the pay is? We should pray for her success so we can give fewer tax dollars to fund the library.
Bull Moose says
Just a few points, since people seem unable to understand.
1. The Harford County Public Library Foundation is not the same as the Harford County Public Library. The foundation exists to raise private funds for the library system, and when successful improves library services without using taxpayer funds.
2. The job of foundation director is not new. Mrs. Shrodes is replacing Vanessa Milio, who just became president of the Harford County Chamber of Commerce.
3. Mrs. Shrodes has a proven track record of success in the Harford County business community, and that success predates her marriage to Councilman Shrodes.
decoydude says
B MOOSE – T R reference in your choice of Bull Moose?
bernadette says
I see the criticism of Mrs. Shrodes as incredibly sexist. Had the job been filled by a man, nobody would blink an eye.
But here we have a self-made woman who has had great success in Harford County, and who happens to have recently married an elected official. All of the sudden, all of her past accomplishments are forgotten and she is somehow not qualified.
Phil Dirt says
I disagree. If this happened to be a man who was married to a male County Councilman, there would be plenty of comments.
decoydude says
P DIRT – Good observation and well said. Perhaps, plenty is an understatement!
Retiredawhile says
Oh Yeah!!!
spenser says
If you are an up and coming politician you want to expand your brand. What better way than to have your attractive, competent wife help a struggling county wide instition financially? Your name is then known not only to politicians,the business community, and our wealthy citizens but also to the all important soccer moms who really need the libraries and will look upon the Shrodes as a public service power couple. This is hardly a conflict of interest, its a win/win in politics 101.
Phil Dirt says
Did you ever think that maybe she just likes doing what she does and is good at it? Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar.
Morty says
Phil, your comments are very succinct and insightful. You seem like someone who believes that spouses should be supportive of one another.
I have not had the pleasure of meeting Mrs. Shrodes. I have met her brother-in-law, who is the councilman’s brother. I found him to be an outstanding,hardworking young man of great character. It is a shame he is not our representative.
Trish Burkett says
I challenge anyone to try to keep up with her and in 3 months when she’s accomplished more than most will complete in their entire career you can apologize by taking your kid to the library and say thank you.
Seriously, before you start issuing the negative comments and questioning her work ethic it might be wise to give her a chance to prove herself.
Morty says
Bull Moose’s defense of this appointment seems a little suspicious. It seems to be a case of one member of the political class supporting another.
Perhaps Bull Moose owes his publicly funded position to the hard work of the politically connected drake who fertilized his egg.
In the future, I would recommend that you post under the name of “Little” Duckling.
momahen says
Personally you all have to much time on your hands. She is a well educated woman who has earned the right to hold this position. You are all acting like she is the President of the Harford County Library. She is working for a non profit that raises money for the library AND has taken a pay cut to do so. She has worked for Harford County Goverment in the past therefore maybe just maybe she knew people BEFORE she married Chad. Obviously someone else must be upset that they did not get this position and therefore are looking for ways to bash Mrs. Shrodes. Why is it that if someone gets a job people just want drama. She is not being paid by your tax payer money so give it up. If this were your wife or daughter how would you like it. Give the girl a break, she is a wife and a mother who is trying to better the library where her daughter will get books and so will you!
Louie DePalma says
Take the time to read Spenser’s comments, he nailed it.
Interested says
Can anyone tell me how much money the Library foundation raises a year ?