Board of Directors

About Quatrefoil Library

Quatrefoil Library, opened in 1986, is a non-profit 501(c)(3) library and community center. Our mission is to cultivate the free exchange of ideas and make accessible LGBTQ+ materials for education and inspiration. Quatrefoil Library was named after the novel Quatrefoil by James Barr. Published in 1950, it was one of the first books to portray gay men in a more positive light. 

The library’s collection continues to grow, consisting of more than 15,000 books, thousands of DVDs, plus periodicals (historic and current) and sound recordings. Quatrefoil organizes events throughout the year, including book launches, poetry readings, panel discussions, used book sales, book clubs, and game nights. Its annual scholarship helps deserving LGBTQ+ students. The library is located at 1220 E. Lake Street in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

With no paid staff, Quatrefoil Library is entirely volunteer-led and operated. 

About Quatrefoil’s Board of Directors

The Quatrefoil Library Board of Directors is composed of a President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, and At-Large members. The Board meets on the second Thursday of each month. Board committees are generally led by Board Members and composed of community members and subject-matter experts. Elections for Board members are held annually and Board members are elected to three-year terms. A person may serve up to nine years on the board before they must take a mandatory one-year break.

Current Board Members at Quatrefoil Library

Photo and bio to come.

Photo and bio to come.

John Brentnall (he/him) joined the board of Quatrefoil in late 2021 and currently serves as Treasurer. John graduated from Grinnell College in 1993 with a B.A. in political science and is currently employed by the University of Minnesota’s Office of Human Resources as a Retirement Consultant. John served on the board of Philanthrofund Foundation (PFund) from 2002-2009. His board tenure included a two-year stint as President, four years as Treasurer, and one year as Governance Committee chair. John enjoys reading about history, politics, theology, and Iowa, with dollops of literature and poetry. His favorite LGBTQ book and movie is The Color Purple. Alice Walker is a prophetic voice for our time and beyond. (Photo to come.)

Nicole Olila (she/they) is a queer/feminist librarian, curator, and collaborator with local commitments and global attentiveness. She holds a Master of Library and Information Science from Saint Catherine University, and is a member of the Beta Phi Mu International Honor Society. Currently, they are serving as the Quatrefoil Library’s very first library manager. They are dedicated to the work of promoting intellectual freedom and facilitating the free and open access to information around the world, practicing critical librarianship, and thinking about the library as a Third Space. They have been engaging, platforming and archiving queer creatives since 2017. A few of their favorite things are winter walks, used bookstores, and lentil soup. Learn more about their work at L Spot Shop.

Photo and bio to come.

Evan Allgood (they/he) is an aspiring archivist and librarian currently working as a project manager and CRM architect at Beaver’s Pond Press. They were introduced to Quatrefoil back in 2019 by previous Q board member Greg Hewett, and fell in love with the space the moment they stepped through the door. They joined the board in the winter of 2021 with a particular focus on making Quatrefoil more accessible and representative (and so they could spend more time around good gay books). When not at the library, Evan fills their time hanging out with their partner and dog, reading, dancing, and crafting. Evan’s favorite queer writer is Carmen Maria Machado.

Photo and bio to come.

Headshot of Paul Kaefer, a white man with short, dark hair and glasses.

Paul Kaefer (he/him) started as a desk volunteer and joined the board in Fall 2017. Paul graduated from Marquette University, and works in healthcare analytics at Unite Us. He has always loved to read, and worked at his local library in high school. Paul’s favorite queer author is Brandon Taylor (who wrote Real Life and Filthy Animals). His favorite LGBTQ+ film is Make the Yuletide Gay. He also enjoys attending theater, playing board games, cooking, and traveling.

Board of Directors Roles and Responsibilities

The Quatrefoil Board of Directors has the following roles and responsibilities, adapted from Ten Basic Responsibilities of Nonprofit Boards by Richard T. Ingram (BoardSource, Second Edition 2008).

  • Determine the organization’s mission and purposes.
  • Ensure effective planning by actively participating in the overall planning process and assisting in implementing and monitoring the plan’s goals.
  • Determine which programs at Quatrefoil Library are consistent with the organization’s mission and monitor their effectiveness.
  • Ensure adequate financial resources.
  • Participate in monthly Board meetings and serve on at least one committee (Operations, Technology, Programming, Development, etc.)
  • Contribute financially as able to support Quatrefoil.
  • Develop the annual budget and provide financial oversight to ensure proper financial controls are in place.
  • Build a competent and dedicated Board by recruiting new and diverse board candidates, orient new members, and periodically and comprehensively evaluate its own performance.
  • Ensure the Library’s legal and ethical integrity.
  • Enhance Quatrefoil Library’s public standing.

Quatrefoil Board of Directors Application

Quatrefoil Library has grown tremendously through the efforts of our incredible volunteers and Board of Directors. The Library is seeking new Board Members with innovative perspectives who are willing to work promoting and supporting Quatrefoil Library’s mission. Quatrefoil seeks a board that reflects the gender, racial and sexual diversity of its community.

Board Elections are held annually in January. While anyone is welcome to join the Quatrefoil Library Board of Directors, we are seeking members with work experience in copywriting, donor relations, finance, fundraising, grant writing, event planning, programming, technology, nonprofit management, literature, laws and regulations, library science, and marketing.

If you are interested in applying, please fill out the form below.  If you have questions regarding the Board of Directors, please email the board president at president@quatrefoil.org.

Join the Board

Please complete this form to apply to join the Quatrefoil Library board.

If you experience any issues with the form, you may email your application (including relevant experience and desire as to how you may be involved) to president@quatrefoil.org.