advertisement

John Babis: Candidate Profile

West Chicago library

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: West ChicagoWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: West Chicago libraryAge: 54Family: Married, 2 childrenOccupation: Information TechnologyEducation: Bachelor of Science in Education, Northern Illinois University, 1993Civic involvement: Candidate did not respond.Elected offices held: noneHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 To promote transparency at The West Chicago Public Library, so the community can readily see why the library is a valuable benefit to themKey Issue 2 To promote policy and resource allocation strategies that encourage the acquisition of, adoption of, and staffing necessary for the West Chicago Public Library to always have up-to-date technology for the public and library staff use.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?To facilitate in any manner possible the West Chicago Public Library's ability to adopt and adapt to changes affecting libraries. To help identify and remove any bureaucratic obstacles to necessary change.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.As an information technology professional, I know how important it is for organizations have a culture that accepts plans for and even embraces change. I hope to help nurture and assist the development of such a culture at the West Chicago Public Library.Do you have a library card? How long have you had it? How often do you use it?I have a library card. I regularly check out materials, at least 2 times a month.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.Much of what is strictly reference materials is available on the Internet. It makes sense to reallocate that space for other purposes. I know there is a high demand for public accessible computers. It seems like a good idea to to allocate freed space to publicly available technology.What impact have economic and technological changes had on libraries? How does a library remain relevant? How should its role in the community change?Traditionally libraries have been places of shared physical - hard-copy, information and materials. The technology myth is that everyone has a broadband Internet connection and the latest Internet access instruments. The current economic situation has highlighted the way applying for jobs has changed. The only way to apply for most jobs today is via the Internet. The demand for publicly accessible computers, highlights the fact that it is a myth that everyone has a broadband Internet connection and the latest Internet access instruments. Libraries now not only are places of shared physical - hard-copy, information and materials, they are that, plus they are places of shared - publicly accessible, information technology.