The Easton Public Library Board of Trustees has chosen Phyllis Machledt as this year’s recipient of its Anne Lindquist Library Spirit Award. The award recognizes a volunteer who has made a significant contribution to the library. Past winners include former board president and film series founder Jon Sonneborn, former board treasurer and Friends of the Library member Gail Gay, former board member and friends president Gina Orticelli, longtime friends treasurer Patricia Soltisiak, and former friends president Joelle Johnston.
Machledt is a past and current member of the Friends of the Easton Public Library, having reactivated her membership in 2021. She has been instrumental in preparing for and orchestrating the friends annual book sale, as well as volunteering at other events. She served on the Library Board of Trustees for eight years, including during the planning and building of the new library. Her particular focus was on improving collaboration between the library and the schools regarding curriculum and special projects.
She has also served on the Easton PTA, Barlow PTA, Board of Education, and Commission on Aging. In addition to her volunteer positions at the library, she has a long history of community volunteer work. Other organizations that have benefitted from her time and talents include Easton Girl Scouts, AFS International, Habitat for Humanity of Coastal Fairfield County, School Volunteer Association of Bridgeport, and Golden Hill United Methodist Church.
“I feel honored to win this award, especially since I had so much respect for Anne Lindquist,” Machledt said. “There would have been no Easton Library as we know it without her efforts!”
“I’m so glad I’ve had the opportunity to get to know Phyllis and work with her through the friends these past few years,” said Lynn Zaffino, library director. “She is very deserving of this award.”
Machledt grew up in Maryland but she has called Easton home for many years. She has been married to Dr. John Machledt for 55 years, and together they have two children and four grandchildren. Phyllis worked as the director of service learning and volunteer programs at Sacred Heart University from 1994-2008. In her spare time, she likes to read, cook, make crafts, and collect antiques.
RECEPTION DATE UPDATED to Saturday, Oct. 14, from 3 to 5 p.m.
A reception in her honor will be held on the library lawn on Saturday, Sept. 9 from 3 to 5 p.m. The rain date will be Sept, 23. The public is welcome to attend. If interested in attending, please RSVP to Lynn Zaffino at 203-261-0134 or lzaffino@eastonlibrary.org.
