Bensenville library candidates talk funding, technology

Two incumbents running to retain their seats for another 6-year term on the Bensenville Community Public Library board will face two challengers on April 5.

Linda Kochanski has served on the board since 2002 and Kristina McCauley since 2005. Both say the library makes the most of limited funds with a variety of programming, while also avoiding tax increases.

But challengers Nancy Rizzo and Susan Diamond say they are upset with the board’s recent decision to close the library on Saturdays to cut costs, and both suggest reexamining the budget to find other ways to save money.

“If it is necessary to close the library for one day, close it on a weekday when most children are in school and adults are working,” Diamond said. “Currently Monday, Tuesday and Thursday nights and 1 to 5 p.m. on Sunday are the only times when working adults can access the library.”

Rizzo also said the library must strike a balance between traditional book lending and new technology.

“I would like to see the library continue to offer online programs for education, continuing career training and computer literacy to as many people in our community as possible,” Rizzo said. “Many of our day-to-day operations have become so computer based that even the most basic understanding of computer online usage can help many people. But let’s not forget that we need to maintain those wonderful shelves full of reading material.”

Kochanski and McCauley both say the library already is working at that goal with the funds it has, touting that the library has not raised taxes in more than 35 years.

McCauley highlights programs offering resume help, faxing service, and computer classes on topics such as blogging, eBay or Excel.

“Despite the lack of funding and other obstacles ... the board and the staff are acutely aware of the needs of our patrons,” McCauley said. “What we might lack in cutting edge technology, we have always made up for in service and dedication to our community. The Bensenville library has changed with the times and has always offered the community what it needs.”

Kochanski also highlights two new library additions: Universal Class, which offers free online classes to Bensenville library cardholders in more than 500 continuing education classes; and more than 100 graphic novels for teens, which she says fly off the shelves.

“We continue to exercise creative ways to find funding for the various programs offered to the community,” Kochanski said.

While Diamond agrees the library is doing well with computer access and classes, she contends it could offer even more — such as lending DVDs — if the board exercised wiser spending and employed better use of volunteers.

Her other suggestions include reducing spending on outdoor gardens, establishing a Friends of the Library group for fundraising and volunteers, intergovernmental resource sharing and introducing term limits for the board.

“Some real opportunities are being missed,” she said. “Challenging economic times mean residents depend more heavily on libraries as a source of all types of information.”