Cordelia Moyse moved here from England in 2008 and immediately began borrowing from her well-stocked neighbor.

Not the proverbial cup of sugar, mind you, but books, DVDs, CDs.

Today Moyse, 46, is a close friend of the Duke Street Library in more ways than one. Not only does she live just two doors away, at St. James Rectory, but she's leading the Friends of the Lancaster Public Library.

Moyse says she was soon "aware of, and impressed by, the ... Friends supporting the library through voluntary work and fundraising," especially the big book sales that bring in $100,000 annually for what she considers "one of the key institutions in Lancaster life."

And, "in this time of state funding cutbacks and economic uncertainty there is a greater need than ever for people to express their personal commitment to the library's mission of providing lifelong learning to the community," she said.

"I would like more people to be good friends of the library," she added. So she's inviting everyone to attend the next Friends meeting at 4 p.m. Monday, Aug. 23, at the library.

Birthplace: Newcastle Upon Tyne, England.

Family: Husband David Peck, rector of St. James Episcopal Church, and daughter, Theodora, age 6.

Education: Cambridge University, doctorate; London University, master's degree; Leeds University, bachelor's degree.

Occupation: History professor, teaching at Franklin & Marshall College and Lancaster Theological Seminary. My academic field is 19th- and 20th-century British history, particularly as it engages women or the church.

Growing up, I wanted to be: A veterinary surgeon, but my love of the past led me to study history.

My first job: I worked as a secretary for Mencap, the largest not-for-profit organization for children and adults with learning difficulties.

My last job: Before coming to Lancaster was with Christian Aid of the United Kingdom and Ireland, working on global poverty and climate change issues.

What I like about the Lancaster Public Library: 1. The fabulous children's section with its welcoming play area in the middle of the picture books. 2. The constant availability of newly published books, both best-selling novels and nonfiction. 3. That DVDs and CDs can be borrowed for free, unlike in England.

One thing I'd like to see at the library: A new-release DVD rental service, like the one currently provided for new, popular novels. It could enrich the community and raise money for the library.

Things I'd change about myself: Since coming to Lancaster, I am aware that not being able to sew or parallel park are huge disadvantages.

Pet peeve: Loud motorcycles downtown late at night.

Pets: I look forward to the day when life settles down so that we could have a dog.

A book I'd recommend: Hilary Mantel's "Wolf Hall," the story of King Henry VIII's desire to divorce the queen in order to marry Anne Boleyn and the consequent breaking away of the Church in England from the Roman Catholic Church. The story is told from the perspective of a shadowy but key player in events, Thomas Cromwell.

Our family reading book: Laura Ingalls Wilder's "Little House in the Big Woods."

A book I've written: "The History of the Mothers' Union, 1876-2008: Women, Anglicanism, and Globalization," published by Boydell and Brewer in late 2009.

A famous author I'd really like to meet: Bill Bryson is a brilliant comic writer who draws out the absurd in ordinary U.S. and British life. He is so good that my husband and I had to agree he was not suitable bedtime reading as it is impossible to read him without literally shaking with laughter.

A movie I'd recommend: Barry Levinson's "Liberty Heights," about growing up in Baltimore.

Must-see TV: We do not have a TV but like to watch "House" and "The West Wing" on DVD.

A musical piece that speaks to me: Brahms Piano Concerto No. 1, and it's great to have Lancaster Symphony Orchestra as part of this culturally rich city.

Favorite vacation spot: Our holiday home in New Hampshire, near Squam Lake, where the movie "On Golden Pond" was filmed.

My idea of exercise: My trainer would like me to say squats, but my ideal exercise would be hiking to see a waterfall in New Hampshire.

Favorite restaurants: Rachel's Creperie and Taj Mahal.

Best gift I ever received: My daughter, Theodora, born on Christmas Eve, whose name means "gift of God."

People might be surprised to know: I love watching sports, especially World Cup Soccer.