Timothy Jackson: 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: Lake ZurichWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Ela Area libraryAge: 55Family: Married for 34 years to Peggy Jackson. Proud parents of four sons; Tim, Kevin, Dan and Luke.Occupation: I sell and manage a Human Resources solution for hospitals on a national basis. I am a Vice President of Medical Staffing Network, a healthcare staffing firm, specializing in managed staffing programs.Education: MBA in Finance and Marketing, University of Chicago, 1984Bachelor of Science in Finance, DePaul University, 1980Civic involvement: 10+ years Lake Zurich Planning Commission20+ years as coach/manager in the Lake Zurich Baseball and Softball Association4 years Carmel Catholic High School Board of DirectorsElected 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 Help Library management with long range strategic planning by providing appropriate board level engagement.Key Issue 2 Improve the planning and deployment of technology in the Library. Libraries can and should play a leadership role in providing practical skills and tools to our community so as to leverage technology's role in education and adult learning.Key Issue 3 Improve the Library's strong financial position through my 35+ years of financial management experience.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 have thought about running for a Library board position many times. I recently left the Carmel Catholic Board, so now I have some time. Having raised 4 children in Lake Zurich - we are and have been frequent patrons of the Library. From the early childhood programs to the occasional adult programs, our family has always been impressed with the service of the Library team. I want to play a role in making it better and make sure the Library's vision of the future is realized.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.Candidate did not respond.Do you have a library card? How long have you had it? How often do you use it?I have had a library card for as long as I can recall. I have had an Ela card for 23 years (since we moved to LZ). I used it very frequently up until the last three years since I started to travel for work. Also, I got a Kindle - which is a wonderful device, so I am buying books again.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 can't imagine a scenario where we would expand the library footprint. Technology is and will be the catalyst for future programs. No doubt there is a role for 'the stacks', but that role will continue to shrink.What impact have economic and technological changes had on libraries? How does a library remain relevant? How should its role in the community change?I am familiar with many of the arguments that claim libraries are a relic of the past. Many criticize libraries for their pandering to DVD and popular fiction patrons. I am not persuaded. First, low cost access to DVDs and popular fiction are valuable services as evidenced by patron usage. The library is a community service, if the community wants access to DVDs and popular fiction, I am surely not going to say no. It's their library.Second - and most importantly, the library of the future will converge with our schools - elementary, high school and community colleges - to play a role in education and skills training. Demand for low cost and broadly accessible education and skills training continues to rise and I know the library of the future will play a larger role in the future.