Allison Pinkett-Floyd: 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: LombardWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Lombard Library Board (4-year Terms)Age: 48Family: Married 22yrs, 1 teenage daughter who is in her senior year at Montini Catholic High School.Occupation: Elementary teacher at Delphi Academy of Chicago, located in Lombard, Illinois.Education: Graduated with B.A. from Mount Holyoke College, S. Hadley, MA. 1986Civic involvement: Toastmaster International, Dalmation Rescue of IllinoisElected offices held: This is my first candidacy.Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: No.Candidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Helen Plum Library (HPL) is located on a Maple Street, which can be busy at times. I know that many patrons would like the Board to look into the exploration of parking on the same side of the street as the library building. Crossing Maple Street during heavy traffic times can be troublesome for our youngest and eldest patrons.Key Issue 2 Modernization is an ever expanding aspect of library services. Innovative use of technology will enable patrons greater access through their personal devices. The exchange of information should be fluid between digital and tangible resources. HPL will need to continue watching these trends and devoting resources to keep pace.Key Issue 3 Innovative libraries are developing as centers for information, assistance and community involvement. I would encourage greater promotion of the less well known features, like the auditorium and meeting room, currently used for book clubs and movie nights. With distance learning on the rise, libraries make ideal satellite sites for online college or retraining curriculum.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?As a Lombard resident for nearly 20 years and a teacher for half that time, I have probably utilized the library's resources more than the average citizen. Like many parents, I brought my daughter to the library for story time, and as she got older, to pick out chapter books. But it is as a teacher at Delphi Academy that I've used library resources most often. I greatly rely upon the library's resources to create many of the lessons that I develop and deliver to my students. Over the 11 years that I have taught in Lombard, HPL has provided everything from music to the hard to find copy of older books. I am running because I love having Helen Plum Library in my community, and I want to be a part of its continued service to Lombardians.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 special contributions you could make.Candidate did not respond.Do you have a library card? How long have you had it? How often do you use it?Yes, I have had a Helen Plum Library card since I moved to Lombard in 1994. I visit the library on a regular basis, every 3 to 4 weeks during the school year, slightly less during the summer break.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.Space is an issue at HPL. I think new technologies should be used to maximize resources that patrons can access. Patrons use of their own devices to download material is an increasing trend. The option to use either digital or phyiscal resources should be simplified,and will allow more resources to be available within the existing space. In addition giveaway programs, such as the Teacher Tea, allow the library to donate older materials and use the existing space for new material. As a local teacher, my students have been the beneficiaries of many books and puzzles passed along to schools from HPL.What impact have economic and technological changes had on libraries? How does a library remain relevant? How should its role in the community change?Libraries across the country are developing cutting edge and cost effective ways to service their communities. Novel approaches, like BYOD (bring your own device) and tutorials to teach patrons how to best use the library features that suit their needs are in increasing demand. Lecture series pertaining to everyday challenges,for example "green" living or balancing your finances, are often found in community libraries. Economics are always a consideration, and must be balanced along with the citizens' desire for a modernization. Libraries continue to offer an array of services. They will be relevant if they facilitate an exchange of resources in both digital and physical formats, and continue to offer useful services that keep patrons engaged and interested.