Linda Kochanski: 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: BensenvilleWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Bensenville libraryAge: 53Family: Our household is multi-generational. My husband, Michael, and I share our home with our 14 year old daughter, Sara, and my 70-something mother, Dixie.Occupation: ParalegalEducation: DePaul UniversityCivic involvement: Bensenville Community Public Library Board of TrusteesFenton High School Parents AssociationFenton High School Band BoostersBensenville Community FoundationElected offices held: Trustee, Bensenville Community Public Library - 2002 to PresentHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 I believe our community library is so much more than a book lending institution. I believe it is the heart of the community and that by continuing to offer a wide variety of programs we better serve our neighbors.Key Issue 2 I want to continue to foster a love of reading in our youth. In the past couple years we have added a graphic novel section with 100+ titles to the young adult reading section and we cannot keep the books on the shelves.Key Issue 3 Due to the tax cap, our tax rate which is one of the lowest in DuPage county is lower than it was in 1972; inspite of that we continue to exercise creative ways to find funding for the various programs offered to the community.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 am a strong believer in patronizing our local businesses and in volunteering to give back to the community. Bensenville is a terrific town on the verge of some very exciting developments and I feel privileged to be able to serve toward this future.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 finance committee, I work toward not only a balanced budget but also funding programs and opportunities for our community to enjoy. In an effort to interest young people to read, I helped make the graphic novel section a reality.Do you have a library card? How long have you had it? How often do you use it?I have been a lifelong library cardholder. First in Chicago and then shortly after we moved into Bensenville. While I am an avid reader, my library use does not stop at books and reading.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 wish we had the funding to provide space for all of the materials we would like. I love to sit and thumb through books but if the past tells us anything it is that things continue to change and technology is a tool we can utilize to have access to resources we cannot house. In fact, we offer computer classes to help residents become more comfortable with 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?Our library is already so much more than a book lending institution. We are very excited about a new program called Universal Class which offers free online classes to Bensenville library cardholders in over 500 continuing education classes. We offer a wide variety of programming from sleepytime stories for youngsters to helping residents with their job hunting skills to book clubs to computer classes for seniors and, oh yes, did I mention we also lend books?