Donald B. Cummings Jr.: Candidate Profile

Note: Answers provided have not been edited for grammar, misspellings or typos. In some instances, candidate claims that could not be immediately verified have been omitted. Jump to:BioKey IssuesQA Bio City: GenevaWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Geneva libraryAge: 47Family: Married, 3 childrenOccupation: Managing Partner at Blue Haven Capital, an investment management firm focusing on individuals, foundations, and non profits in the $1mm to $12mm relationship size.Education: BA University of Wisconsin-MadisonCivic involvement: Rotary Club of Geneva, Geneva Library Board, past Board member Geneva Park District Foundation, past Board member Multisport Madness Triathlon Club, past Board member DayOne Network, member Geneva Chamber of CommerceElected offices held: Candidate did not respond.Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Number one issue is making sure the library continues to serve the needs of the library district's patrons. Two issue are affecting that service: 1) The annexation lawsuits with Batavia...which are coming to a close now that the Illinois State Supreme Court ruled in our favor and 2) the apparent need for library facility expansion.Key Issue 2 Candidate did not respond.Key Issue 3 Candidate did not respond.Questions Answers Why are you running for this office, whether for re-election or election the first time? Is there a particular issue that motivates you, and if so, what is it?I think a library can be a centerpiece of a community. The facility, the staff, the programming, the information distribution, etc. can all add up to help a community grow in so many different directions. Right now, at this time in the library's history, we are at a very interesting point regarding services, products, and access.If you are an incumbent, describe your main contributions. Tell us of important initiatives you've led. If you are a non-incumbent, tell us what contributions you would make.I have been on the library board for at least 10 years. I am a proponent of unfiltered computer access, a wide range of books on a wide range of subjects, competing viewpoints, and passionate, thought-provoking programming. I would like to see the library become completely independent of State financial support because with that support often comes regulation. I believe the people of Geneva, not the people of Springfield, know best how to run the Geneva library.Do you have a library card? How long have you had it? How often do you use it?Yes. I have probably had the card for 20 years...maybe more. I don't use it often, usually someone else in my family grabs books for me on their card.Space is usually an issue at libraries. If that's the case at your library, would your solution be to expand the physical plant or make room by doing away with parts of the collection that technology has made less critical? Explain.The library is currently negotiating a contract to purchase land known as the Cetron property. For 6 or 8 years we tried to purchase Sixth Street school, and even had a contract to do so, but the deal fell apart.What impact have economic and technological changes had on libraries? How does a library remain relevant? How should its role in the community change?Economic changes have been felt everywhere. Fortunately, the library remains fiscally healthy. Technological changes are so rapid that it is hard to believe. A library remains relevant as a purveyor of information or a provider of information settings. Community rooms, study rooms, meeting rooms, visiting authors, reference material, computer access, etc. are all in high demand along with books, periodicals, and AV. I keep expecting demand for physical materials to fall...but it only keeps growing. The next 2 or 3 years will be very telling regarding library direction.