Maddy holds a BS from Mills College of Education and an MS in Education from Hunter College. Originally from NJ and RI, she and her husband moved to Elmira, NY where they raised their now grown daughter and son.  

For over 45 years, Maddy served as a preschool teacher and  was always the one her friends turned to for fun early childhood activities. Her at-home play dates were memorable for their messiness and wealth of developmentally appropriate activities

She did not have a dining room with real furniture until her children were past needing that play space. Thus, her favorite hurrah came in 1993 when she created The Toddler Program at Chemung Valley Montessori School in Elmira, NY. There she worked for 23 years guiding numerous 2-3 year olds and their families - always ready to recommend specific educational resources, including literature and toys, and eager to make a difference in the lives of parents. 

Maddy currently serves on the Chemung Valley Reading Partnership Board, is a member of Traveling Books, prepares meals for The Community Kitchen, and helps fundraise for Congregation Kol Ami. In her free time, she enjoys reading, gardening, exercising, yoga,  walking with friends, playing mahjong, and traveling with her husband - especially to visit her grown children and other relatives and friends in NYC, Philly, NH, and Maine.

Margaret holds a BA in Environmental Studies from Alfred University in Alfred, NY, an MS in Environmental Engineering with a focus on River Restoration from SUNY-ESF in Syracuse, NY and a Master of Landscape Architecture from the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada. 

Having grown up in Texas, she’s drawn to northern climates.  She’s lived in Boston, Washington State, Maine and Vancouver Canada.  In 2012, Margaret moved to Ithaca with her husband, Seth, and they knew they were joining the well paved path of those who move here for school and then never leave.  Over the now 12+ years she’s been putting down roots and is an enthusiastic and active member of this community.  She worked to launch and run Tompkins Time Traders (a time bank) until stepping down before the birth of her daughter.  She’s applied her scientific, landscape architecture and design training in her work with Ithaca Children’s Garden, Ithaca Permaculture Park, and Tompkins County Environmental Management Council.  

These days Margaret’s principally a full-time homeschool mama, where she joyfully applies her science, interdisciplinary and creative background.  She is enriched and invigorated by the diverse material and activities.  Even more she feels honored to be able to nurture an environment that supports a love of learning and curiosity that emphasizes play.  

She has been an enthusiastic Toy Library member and volunteer for many years before joining the board. Fun fact: Margaret and her family were the first members to check out toys from the Toy Library!

Margaret interests are many and varied!  She enjoys traveling, bicycling, hiking, camping, cross country skiing and ice skating, yoga, swimming, gardening, so many creative pursuits, reading by the warmth and light from her woodstove or lying on a chair in her garden on a summer day.  Each of these is even better when with her daughter and husband and dear friends.

“I love the Toy Library because I believe all people, though especially children need to play.  So much is learned through playing.  I believe that the Toy Library plays a vital role in providing access to many people and families who would otherwise not be able to provide such a variety of toys to their children.  The Toy Library is an invaluable resource and our community is stronger and more resilient having such an organization.“

Amber was the toy library's volunteer Executive Director for our first 15 months of operation and is now the Executive Director of the Family Reading Partnership. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Child Development from Empire State College and has 15+ years of experience as a nanny. Much of her research during her education focused on play and its benefits and international iterations. She has extensive knowledge of infant and toddler development and its relationship to their play. 

In her spare time Amber loves to hike, camp, kayak, and sit around a bonfire with friends.

"Creative, open-ended, and imaginative play are essential to early development. Play is a child's method of communication and growth, and the toy library is a fantastic way to bring children from all corners of our community together in play."

Kay joined FLTL because she just loves libraries!

Challenge Workforce Solutions is a non-profit organization that is committed to creating pathways to employment for people with disabilities or barriers. They began volunteering weekly at FLTL in November 2022. The participants always enjoy their time at the toy library for a unique volunteer experience cleaning recent toy returns to ensure the continuation of FLTL's health standards. They are self-described "Santa's helpers" all year round!

Mia Pan (she/her) is a master’s student in Engineering at Cornell University. She loves reading, hiking, and exploring new places. She joined the Finger Lakes Toy Library to support its mission of making toys accessible to all children and fostering inclusive play opportunities.