About Us

Administrative Staff

Ari Z. Brooks is an experienced fundraiser and nonprofit manager having held leadership positions in three not-for-profit organizations for more than twenty-five years in Maryland and Pennsylvania. Her work has primarily focused on engaging and inspiring the community to provide volunteer and philanthropic support to worthy causes.

Prior to serving as FOLMC executive director, Ms. Brooks held three progressively challenging roles at a child welfare organization. Her responsibilities included community outreach, grant writing, marketing, corporate volunteer management, and overseeing a $25 million capital campaign.

In her current role, she leads one of the largest Friends groups in the DC region. Her mission-driven focus strengthens and expands the community’s role in supporting libraries and library workers in their efforts to provide innovative and relevant programs, services, and collections.

Ms. Brooks earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Virginia and a master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Pennsylvania. She is a Friend at Large Member of the Board of Directors of United for Libraries serving as Chair of the Programs Committee. She is a graduate of the 2004 Class of Leadership Montgomery, the inaugural 2009 recipient of the Emerging Leader Award for the County Executive’s Awards for Excellence in the Arts and Humanities, and the 2023 Center for Nonprofit Advancement’s Excellence in Chief Executive Leadership Award Winner.

Lysette House is highly skilled in managing nonprofit activities, including liaising with various offices and affiliates locally and abroad.  Ms. House manages programs and events, and oversees the creation of the print and e-communications as well as volunteer activities. She began volunteering with Friends of the Library, Montgomery County, Silver Spring Chapter in 2014 and was hired part-time as Membership & Database Coordinator in 2016, before being promoted to full-time Programs & Membership Coordinator in 2017, and currently serves as the Deputy Director.

Ms. House earned her Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Master’s degree in Justice, Law & Society from American University. Previously, for The International Center, Ms. House coordinated activities and programming between offices in the United States, Vietnam, and Cambodia.

Currently, Ms. House is working on her MLIS from the University of South Carolina with an additional certification in DEI.

Lance Salins manages all aspects of business development of the organization including overseeing both of the Friends of the Library, Montgomery County bookstores. Mr. Salins began volunteering in 2009 and was hired part-time as a Clerk working for the organization in 2011, before being promoted to Assistant Manager and, then, full-time Business Coordinator in 2014 and currently serves as the Director of Business Operations.

Mr. Salins earned his Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, magna cum laude, from The University of Maryland. He also serves on the Board of Directors for Hose2Habitat, a Maryland based nonprofit working to enhance the welfare of animals in zoos and sanctuaries.

Grace Babbitt comes from a retail management background and has since joined FOLMC to further pursue her passion for supporting others. She earned her Associate’s degree with a focus on child development and education in 2016.

Though she grew up moving frequently, Ms. Babbitt has aided her communities in multiple facets-volunteering time to provide childcare for spouses of deployed soldiers, aiding in Sunday School classes, and working with underserved communities as an after-school care counselor. She is passionate about spelling things correctly, providing prompt responses, and movie theaters.

Angela Meyers is a distinguished professional with over 20 years of experience in the Financial Services Industry.  Throughout her career, she has demonstrated expertise in various roles, including an Energy Futures Trader, Muni UIT Bond Trader, IRA Specialist and Manager of an Insurance and Annuity Department for esteemed Regional and National Brokerage Firms.

In addition to her financial career, Ms. Meyers has dedicated the last six years to volunteering with the Rockville Baseball Association, a long-established non-profit organization based in Rockville, MD.  Serving on the Board as Director of Snack Bar Operations and Director of Volunteers, she revitalized the volunteer management system, fostering a vibrant community of dedicated individuals. Ms. Meyers’s commitment to exceptional volunteerism was recognized and rewarded by the Washington National’s in 2021.

Her commitment to literacy and her expertise in volunteer management make her an asset to the organization.