Colleen Sehy: 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: NapervilleWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Lisle Library Board (4-year Terms)Age: 49Family: Married, three childrenOccupation: Corporate, Government and Foundation Relations for a universityEducation: Bachelor of Arts in Arts, Entertainment and Media Management, Columbia College, Chicago, 1985 MBA, Benedictine University, Lisle 1993 Master of Science, Managament and Organizational Behavior, Benedictine University, Lisle, 1994Civic involvement: As a member of the Junior League of Kane and DuPage, I have been involved in numerous community service activities and community organizations over the past 15 years.Elected offices held: Trustee, Lisle Library District, 2010 to presentHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 The Lisle Library District is a fantastic community resource with something of interest for everyone, and I will work to ensure that more of the District's residents know what it has to offer and take advantage of its resources.Key Issue 2 I plan to focus on long-range resource planning for facilities, finances, and human resources in order to maximize our ability to provide effective services for District residents.Key Issue 3 I will ensure that the District continues to examine new technological resources and determines how to best make use of those resources to benefit patrons.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 been an active patron of the Lisle Library District for more than 20 years. It's a wonderful resource for our community and I want to ensure its continued growth and vitality.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.Since I joined the board in 2010, we have completed a strategic plan, hired a dynamic new director, and initiated several major maintenance projects including replacing the roof, overhauling the HVAC system, and replacing the library's entrance doors with sliding doors to improve accessibility for patrons.Do you have a library card? How long have you had it? How often do you use it?I have held a card since moving into the Lisle Library District in 1990. I use it on a regular basis.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.Some improvements, such as expanding the availability of e-books, on-line databases and other new technological offerings, will not require a significant amount of additional space, but we definitely need to examine ways in which we can reconfigure the building's footprint in order to maximize use of the existing space. Given the evolving needs of the District and the rapid pace of changes in technology and services provided by a modern library, I would not rule out future expansion to address those needs.What impact have economic and technological changes had on libraries? How does a library remain relevant? How should its role in the community change?The difficult economic climate has actually increased the demand for the library's services. In addition, rapid technological advances mean that the Lisle Library District provides an increasing number of on-line services that residents can access from their homes and offices. Patrons can now learn a new language, study for certification exams, and explore a large number of databases without entering our building. On-line services will continue to expand. Bringing services directly into the District's homes, schools and businesses creates an inherent change in the library's community role, making the library even more relevant to District residents.