ASTORIA, OR, November 18, 2016 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Arline LaMear has been included in Marquis Who's Who. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.
Mrs. LaMear received her Bachelor of Arts from Occidental College in 1960 and a Master's in Education with a major in School Library Media Services from James Madison University in 1980. She began her career as a school librarian at Kings Park Elementary School in Springfield, VA. Passionate about the importance of school libraries, she served as President of the Fairfax Co. School Librarians as well as the Virginia Educational Media Association (VEMA). In 1991 she was honored to be selected a delegate to attend the White House Conference on Libraries and Information Services. Upon her retirement in 1997, she received VEMA's Meritorious Service Award. Mrs. LaMear then accepted the position of Librarian at the Columbia River Maritime Museum where she cataloged their entire book and manuscript collection. After 17 years in that position, she retired in 2014, completing a library career of 38 years.
Active in the community of Astoria, she has served on the Commission for Children and Families, was a Court Appointed Special Advocate for 13 years, served as the President for AAUW and the Women's Political Caucus, and served on the City's Library Board, Parks and Recreation Board, and Planning Commission. Mrs. LaMear was also a member of the Clatsop Community College Foundation Board and currently serves on the Senior Center Board of Trustees.
In addition to her passion for libraries, Mrs. LaMear also discovered a passion for local government. She was elected to the City Council where she served for 8 years before being elected Mayor in 2014. In 2015, Mrs. LaMear was the sole elected representative representing Oregon and Washington at Rising Tides, a national conference of elected officials of U.S. coastal cities concerned about coastal flooding and erosion.
Mrs. LaMear is also the author of a children's book about the history of Astoria and the lower Columbia area entitled Lewis and Clark, the Astoria Cats. In addition to writing, Mrs. LaMear is an avid volkswalker, having walked in all 50 states, the Canadian provinces and the 36 counties of Oregon. She and her husband enjoy traveling throughout the world.
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