A New Coordinator for the Friends

Message from Merrily E. Taylor, Joukowsky Family
University Librarian

After a search during which more than 125 applications were screened ( the vast majority of them from excellent candidates ) the Library selected Margherita Cappelli as the new Friends of the Library coordinator. We were delighted when Ms. Cappelli, who prefers to be called "Marg," decided to join our staff, and we know that you´ll enjoy getting acquainted with her over the next few months. Indeed, one of the nice things about introducing Marg as the Friends coordinator is that many of you already know her; prior to coming to the Library, Ms. Cappelli was with University Relations, where she developed and managed the alumni newsletter program. Marg also assisted with coordinating reunions, alumni class activities, and other alumni relations events, so even if you don´t edit your class newsletter, chances are you´ve encountered her in one of her other capacities.

Ms. Cappelli brings varied talents and very relevant experience to the Friends job. She received her BA degree from Rhode Island College in 1984, where she majored in Theatre and English. Marg was the subscription supervisor for Trinity Repertory Company, where she managed everything relating to season tickets and also was involved in marketing research, sales promotion, and customer relations. Marg¹s interest in theatre was not confined to behind the scenes activities, however; prior to working for Trinity she earned a Certificate in Acting and Playwriting from Trinity Rep. Conservatory, and was the recipient of two Conservatory scholarships. Those of you who have fond memories of past Friends "performances," such as magic shows, readings from Shakespeare and Shaw, and a musical review aboard the Royal Viking Sky in New York, will recognize that Marg´s theatrical talents may well come in handy in her new position!

After leaving Trinity, Marg became coordinator of education and outreach for the Hospital Association of Rhode Island. Here she developed the Health Career Ladders high school outreach program under a Workforce 2000 grant. In support of this program, she recruited and trained 150 volunteer speakers to go into the Rhode Island school system to lecture on health care careers, and developed a series of publications to publicize and support the program.

Marg came to Brown University in 1992, and in the years since has formed a commitment to, and affection for, the University that comes across as you talk to her. During her time in University Relations, she came to know many alumni and undergraduates. Her responsibilities in University Relations also provided her with the opportunity to build positive relationships with staff in the many University departments she will work with as Friends coordinator. In what seems to be a typical pattern for Marg, she also developed a set of new skills; as the computer service representative for Alumni Relations, she dealt with problems and questions relating to computer hardware and software, assisted with purchasing these materials, created computer programs to manage various reunion accounts and events, and set up and maintained a computer network. Marg is already contemplating moving the Friends into the 21st century by developing a Friends "home page" on the Internet´s World Wide Web : in which case we´ll be able to hold Friends events in cyberspace!

Since the position was created in 1983, the Friends has been fortunate in its coordinators, each of whom brought devotion and a unique set of talents to the job. I look forward to the many contributions which Marg Cappelli will make in the years to come, and know that she´ll put her own special stamp on the Friends! Please make it a point to get acquainted with Marg at our Friends events this year, and make her welcome.