Meet the Cass County Public Library 2024 Board of Trustees

The Cass County Public Library system is governed by a five-member board of trustees. Trustees are appointed by the Cass County Commission and serve four-year terms.

Tonya Long, Board President

Meet Tonya Long!

Tonya was appointed to the Board of Trustees in 2021 and re-elected President at the July 17, 2024 Board Meeting.

Tonya was born and raised in the Kansas City area, graduating from Grandview High School and moving to Cass County in 2009. Tonya has been married to her husband, Jeremy, for 14 years and they have five children between them – three of them being Tonya’s from a previous marriage. Tonya’s daughter is the oldest of the three and recently blessed her and Jeremy with a granddaughter who is now two years old.

“She is the most amazing person on the planet!” Tonya said. “I love watching her grow and explore the world around her.”

Tonya and her husband are also pilots. She shared that she loves flying and going places and would fly every day if possible. At the beginning of August, Tonya passed her check ride earning her Private Pilot Certificate. She is following her husband’s path as they both will work toward their Commercial Certificates.

When it comes to serving Cass County Public Library, Tonya has always enjoyed reading and knew she wanted to serve her community in some way.

“I look forward to and am excited to be part of planning for the future of the library as we watch our community grow,” Tonya said.

Tonya’s favorite author is Dr. Myles Munroe.

Sherri Peters, Board Vice President

Meet Sherri Peters!

Sherri was appointed to the Board of Trustees in 2024 and elected Vice President at the July 17, 2024 Board Meeting.

Sherri grew up on a dairy farm in Cass County. After attending Mizzou, she moved out of state. She and her husband have lived all over the country due to their corporate careers. When Sherri’s husband retired three years ago, they decided to move back home to Cass County. Sherri and her husband have two adult children who both got married this past spring. They feel they are busier now in retirement than they were during their careers due to activities with extended family, trips to the lake, and Sherri’s hobby of refinishing furniture and upholstery.

The decision to apply to be a board of trustee member came from the desire to be involved in the community and assist in shaping the library system.

“I have been visiting each of the library branches and have been impressed by the commitment and enthusiasm of the staff,” Sherri said. “I am looking forward to finding ways as a board member to help [the branches] serve Cass County.”

Sherri noted that she is an avid reader and while she cannot pick one favorite book or author, she does love historical fiction and thrillers.

Becky Klein, Board Treasurer

Meet Becky Klein!

Becky was appointed to the Board of Trustees in 2015 and reappointed in 2021. During her time on the board, Becky has served as President and Vice President. She was elected Treasurer at the July 17, 2024 Board Meeting.

Becky grew up in Warrensburg, MO where her parents were both teachers. She met her husband, Alan, at the University of Central Missouri where she earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business education. She taught nearly 26 years in the Raymore-Peculiar School District, eventually retiring as the Director of Technology. In 1994, Becky was one of the early Missouri teachers introduced to the internet and tasked with developing curriculum and activities for teachers to use. Becky and her husband have two daughters and three grandchildren and are active in their community and church.

The Klein Family has used the CCPL library system since moving to Peculiar in 1980. Becky and her daughters would visit the library weekly and the girls were enrolled in Summer Reading every year. Now, Becky uses the library to select books for the book club she belongs to as well as for her daily reading. Becky first started volunteering with CCPL as a member of the Cass County Public Library Foundation and was later appointed the Board of Trustees as a representative from the northern area of the county when another member needed to resign.

“I enjoy volunteering in my community,” Becky said. “I look forward to the Board developing a Capital Improvement Plan so that we can continue to improve the existing branches of the library system and plan for additional branches or points of service in Cass County.”

When asked about her favorite books or authors, Becky noted that there are so many books and so little time to read. She enjoys authors such as Kristen Hannah, John Grisham, Susan Mallory, and Marie Benedict.

Diana Larson

Meet Diana Larson!

Diana was appointed to the Board of Trustees in 2023.

Diana was born in Kansas City. When she was 11 years old, her parents bought a farm in Cass County where they spent every weekend and summers on the property. In 1988, Diana permanently moved to the property with her growing family. She has been married to her husband, Chris, for 40 years. They have three daughters – two of which still live in Cass County – and twelve grandchildren. Diana homeschooled her three daughters through high school and continues teaching children through the many children’s programs at her church.

In her free time, Diana enjoys spending time with her grandchildren, anything that allows her to work outside, crafts in the sewing room, playing the piano, cooking, and reading.

Diana noted that all libraries are an influence in a community and with the right leadership have the potential to be an incredible influence to the community that it serves.

“As a trustee, I have the opportunity to help make our library the most extraordinary influence it can be,” Diana said. “I would like to see Cass County Library be a library that is looked up to all across the state of Missouri.”

In her role as a board member, Diana shared that she enjoys meeting patrons of the library and hearing their delights and concerns so that she can then see how to address them with her fellow board members.

Diana’s favorite series is the Mitford Series by Jan Karon.

Dennis Minich

Meet Dennis Minich!

Dennis was appointed to the Board of Trustees in 2024.

Dennis is originally from Overland Park, KS and graduated from the University of Kansas. He has lived in Harrisonville for the past 33 years, has a son named Derek, and is engaged. In addition to serving on the CCPL Board, Dennis is the publisher of the Tribune and Times newspaper. Dennis is a baseball fan and loves to travel.

Dennis shared that he is happy to have a chance to give input and insight to the maintenance of CCPL as a board of trustee member.

“The Cass County Library system is one of the jewels of the county,” Dennis said. “Keeping and maintaining such a vital institution should be a priority.”

He is most excited to watch the system grow and advance technologically while adapting to the needs of the community.

Dennis enjoys reading the works by Leon Uris, Tom Clancey, John Grisham, and Craig Johnson.

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The board meets the third Wednesday of the month at 4:45pm in the Harrisonville Library Branch Meeting Room, 400 East Mechanic Street, Harrisonville, MO, unless otherwise noted. Regular board meetings are live streamed on the Cass County Public Library YouTube Channel.