Lisa M. Knight: 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: ElginWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Gail Borden libraryAge: 47Family: SingleOccupation: Benefits Analyst, Human Resources, Sherman HealthEducation: Trustee Certification, Silver Level, North Suburban Library SystemAll ILA Trustee Forums since initial appointmentOpen Meetings Act Officer3 ILA Annual Conferences/Trustee DaysMBA, Keller Graduate School of ManagementBS, US Military AcademyPHRCCPCivic involvement: 2010 Elgin Walk and Roll ParticipantVolunteer, Gail Borden Public Library DistrictElected offices held: Trustee, Gail Borden Public Library District, 2005-presentHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Continue to support library leadership in providing a venue where imagination and transformation flourish, fueled by the power of community.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 wish to continue to serve the community as a trustee and work together to ensure all district residents are proud members of the library district by keeping it relevant and a destination for everyone.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.Instigated and participated in the creation of the library's current Strategic Direction Setting plan.Helped plan the green Rakow Branch which achieved LEED Gold status.Supported library leadership and major programs like SPACE that led to since 2005:- a materials circulation increase of 79%- programs increased by 49%- program attendance increase of 93%- visitor attendance increase of 27%- 20 international, national, state and local awards including the prestigious 2009 National Medal for Museum and Library Services and being voted ""Community's Favorite Place""Do you have a library card? How long have you had it? How often do you use it?Yes.I don't remember not having one.Frequently.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.I do not foresee the physical plant expanding. I anticipate that space will be reallocated to new purposes as the needs of our residents and our role in the community changes. Since the new main library opened in 2003, space has already been reallocated as shown by the recent opening of Studio 270.One of the key priorities of the library is the smart use of technology. For example, information and magazines that were once only available in book or magazine form are available online.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 require the trustees and library leadership to remain even more fiscally prudent in all decision making. An upside to these challenging economic times and the school challenges is that 88% of residents are cardholders. As an example of relevancy, the library currently has a job club, a career center, and recently held programs on how to download e-books. The library is continually changing based on community needs, feedback from residents, staff and community partners.