Sharon Hitzemann: 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: RoselleWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Roselle libraryAge: 67Family: Married, two sons, four grandchildrenOccupation: Teacher's Assistant, RetiredEducation: Some CollegeCivic involvement: Roselle History Museum, Aims Student Mentor,Friends of theRoselle Library, Trinity Caring MinistryElected offices held: Library Board, 10 years, offices of President, Secretary,TreasurerHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 To continue to provide quality service with no increase in taxesKey Issue 2 To improve technology at the libraryKey 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 would like one more term to see our library through these bad economic times and to make sure we stay a vital part of the Roselle Community.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 a member of the library board we replaced our HVAC system with funds we had saved, rather then ask for an increase in taxes. I am proud of the fact that we have not had to curtail hours at the library, have not had to lay off staff and have sufficient funds for roof and parking lot repairs. Our board has been fiscally responsible with taxpayers monies.Do you have a library card? How long have you had it? How often do you use it?Yes, I have had a library card since I was a teenager living in Chicago. One of the first things we did as a family after moving to Roselle in 1970 was to get our Roselle Library Cards. I belong to the Library Book Club so my card is always in use.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.All libraries wish they had more space. With the economy as it is now,to add an addition to our library would not be possible, therefore we are trying innovative ways to move our collections around and remove materials that are no longer used by our patronsWhat impact have economic and technological changes had on libraries? How does a library remain relevant? How should its role in the community change?Patrons are coming in all the time to use our computers. We have to make sure we keep up to date with technology and make things user friendly for everyone. We also need to have programs that appeal to our public, like the Grandparents Got Game program, and our Sunday Musicals. Also our teen programs, the Chess Club and Read to a Buddy Program. These have proved to be very popular with our patrons. We need to always make people aware that the Roselle Public Library is their Library and our staff is always there ready to help them.