Director proudly looks forward to library's opening

Article Date: March 21, 2008

By Canan Tasci, City News

Kathleen Fariss is a modest person.

But get talking about Fontana's Lewis Library and Technology Center and there just might be no end in sight, and that's not just because she's the director of development.

Her job title requires her essentially to use fundraising and project management skills in order to grow funds for an organization.

Typically, the director of development works closely with a board of directors and is involved in a variety of activities, including strategic planning, relationship management, event management, grant writing and the like.

Fariss has been working diligently since 2005, all in preparation for the library to open.

Fariss still can't believe it, but after 2 1/2 years her proudest moment is about to arrive on April 19 when the doors of the Lewis Library and Technology Center will be open to the public.

Question: What's your favorite part of your job?

Answer: The people! While raising awareness about the Lewis Library and Technology Center, I interact with local residents, the business community, foundation officials, elected officials and so on. I've met the most amazing people, and everyone is excited about the library.

Q: What are the major challenges of your job?

A: Keeping track of all the moving pieces - we are constantly engaged in numerous fundraising activities and now that we are only several weeks away from opening the library, there are a number of details that need attention. Good think I'm so organized!

Q: If you weren't in this position or career, what do you think you would be doing?

A: Running a nonprofit organization. Clearly, I am drawn to leadership positions in which I feel I am helping to better the lives of as many people as possible. That's what has been so rewarding about working in the city to help bring the library and its incredible resources to the area residents.

Q: Do you already have a favorite room in the library? Which one and why?

A: I love the Dr. Martin Luther King Children's Library. The moment you walk into this area, you feel like a kid. There are giant trees to walk under, and there will be great murals and paintings on the walls to look at.

Q: What is one of your pet peeves?

A: People who call but don't leave a message. Once in a while I get to the phone a second too late and they've hung up, and I obsess wondering who it was!

Q: Do you have a personal motto?

A: I believe strongly in the philosophy of "learn by doing" while supporting those around you to be the best they can, in whatever they dream and hope to be. I often picture a large mountain with all of the people I have mentored over the years standing on the top of that mountain with me standing in the shadows as they celebrate their personal victories.

Q: What's your favorite junk food?

A: I have always loved junk food and depending on the day, it's either Jelly Bellies or Cheetos.

Q: What's one thing people might not know about you?

A: I pride myself in being ethical and telling the truth about my journeys as a youth to my children. I have been told that when most people meet me I come across in a manner that they believe I was brought up in a really nice neighborhood, with a picture perfect family, and graduated from an Ivy League high school. I am proud to admit that I will graduate with my master's of science in leadership and management with an emphasis in organizational development in May of this year from University of La Verne. I have a high school diploma from Valley View continuation. We have all taken different paths to get where we are in life. Why should our pasts dictate the future? Education truly is the key to opening the doors for everyone - you just need to walk through it!

Q: After a long day, how do you unwind?

A: I love to just drive home and look around me to see all the wonderful things happening in the world. I then arrive at my modest home where I see the faces of my two boys, Michael, 14, and Jeremy, 9, along with my wonderful husband Mike, and all the problems in the world just seem to magically disappear. If I lived near the water, I would unwind next to it every day, as the water rolls in and the sound of typing keyboards is no more.