MPL Board & Management

 Sarah Marshall, Chair

I was raised in Windsor, Ontario and graduated from McMaster University with an Honours Bachelor Degree in Psychology and a minor in Sociology. I obtained my Juris Doctor, cum laude, from Thomas M. Cooley Law School. I have since been called to the Bar in Michigan, Ontario and Florida and have practiced law in the field of personal injury under the employ of Haber & Associates.

Throughout my life, libraries have provided me with a place to study and conduct research, as well as a place to meet friends. The traditional notion of a library as a quiet place has been replaced with the modern concept of the library as a central location encouraging the community to get involved. As a member of the Milton Public Library Board, I hope to encourage further new concepts within the library and increase resources in the library that will be used by the Milton community.

Shortly after moving to Milton in 2013, my husband and I were blessed with our first child. As my son grows up, he will be encouraged to learn about the library’s resources and participate in the programs the library offers.

 Margaret Warmels, Vice-Chair

Born and raised in London, Ontario, I am a graduate of Western University with an Honours BA in History and a Master of Library and Information Science. I spent the early part of my working career with the Etobiocoke and Brampton Public Library systems. In my mid-thirties I decided to return to school and earned my Bachelor of Education from the University of Toronto and my Masters of Education from Brock University. I have worked for the Halton District Catholic Board as an elementary teacher, Vice-Principal and Principal since 1990. My continuing passions have been early literacy, life-long learning and creating opportunities for children to participate and learn. I look forward to being able to read, learn, create and connect for people of the Milton community. I am an avid runner, canoeist and cottage lover who enjoys every opportunity for outdoor activities.

 Councillor Sameera Ali

As a communications professional, and now as a mother of four beautiful children, libraries have always been an integral part of my life. Growing up I would always use adventure books to live vicariously and to get away from the everyday mundane.

It is an exciting time to be a Councillor in our vibrant town and this is a responsibility I do not take lightly. Part of this responsibility includes assisting the community with youth mentorship, professional development and engagement. Through my involvement with the library board I hope to get closer to those goals and make a positive impact on our community hubs - aka our modern concept libraries.

 Omer Amin

My first visit to a library was in Montreal when I came to McGill University to complete my B. Eng. Being a young immigrant to this country, the library was invaluable in providing a community hub to study, collaborate in meeting spaces, and find resources and services to learn about my new environment. Since then, I have lived in Mississauga, ON and Seattle, WA, both of which had great library systems and programs that made it easy to integrate, be a lifelong learner, and continuously enable my career. I moved to Milton five years ago and have always been impressed by the amazing library system we have.

As a member of the Board, I will be working to ensure that the library is serving our diverse community and becoming a community hub that all Miltonians can take advantage of and be proud of. In addition, I want to make sure that the Library is continuously evolving and transforming to provide the right services and programs in an ever-increasing digital world.

I would encourage everyone in Milton to visit the library and take advantage of all the programs and services. Whether you are newcomer to Milton, are looking for help with homework and need some quiet space, or are even thinking about starting a small business, the Milton Public Library has beneficial offerings to help you. The Milton Public Library staff work hard to ensure that we meet your needs and we look forward to seeing you there.

 Councillor Kristina Tesser Derksen

I was born and raised right here in Milton and spent many happy afternoons throughout my childhood and teenage years at the old Milton Public Library on Bruce Street. At a time when there weren’t many amenities for youth outside the athletic, the library was both a bustling hub to meet with friends, and a quiet place to sojourn with a book.

I was fortunate to spend lots of time at other libraries throughout my post-secondary years: completing lab reports in the library at Humber College, where I completed my diploma to work as a funeral director; studying (often with my dad in tow) in the library at the University of Toronto Mississauga, where I completed a specialist honours degree in history and political science; and finally, researching at the Bora Laskin Law Library at the University of Toronto Faculty of Law, from which I graduated in 2012 with a law degree.

After being elected to Milton’s Town Council in October 2018, I find that I’ve come full circle with my appointment to the Milton Public Library Board. I am pleased to be a part of this important work and happy to bring my own family to the library, to experience the community, learning, and fun that the library offers to all visitors.

 Matthew Fabian

I’m a 10-year resident of Milton and proud husband and father of three girls. You’ll most often find me at a gym, a pool, a hockey rink or the kids section of the library. I have a Bachelor degree in Economics and hold CMA and CFA designations. My professional career spans 25 years of management consulting and the last 15 years at BMO Financial Group where I am currently the Head of Customer Analytics and Financial Modeling. I also serve on several industry boards and am a member of the Centennial College School of Business advisory committee. I am a strong believer in life-long learning and the role that the Milton Public Library plays in furthering that goal for all citizens. I am looking forward to contributing to the progress of the Milton Public Library through Milton’s rapid growth, and hope to help drive our strategy of growth, diversity and sustainability.