Kathleen Starzec: 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: GrayslakeWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Grayslake Library Board (6-year Terms)Age: 68Family: Two children and three grandchildren.Occupation: Housewife and retired office worker.Education: Brescia College (now Brescia University) BA in Political Science,1967.Civic involvement: Grayslake Historical Society, 1993-present, Secretary and Board Member; Friends of the Grayslake Library 1991-present; St. Gilbert's Parish Council 1980-1988 and St. Gilbert's Women's Club, 1977-1988; Republican Precinct Committeeman, 1990's.Elected offices held: Grayslake Library Trustee, 1988- present.Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: No.Candidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 To keep the library current so the patrons can enjoy a wide variety of up-to-date services and materials.Key Issue 2 To ensure our funds are used conscientiously and to the best advantage possible.Key Issue 3 To continue our outreach to the community to acquaint everyone with the 'treasures' they can find at the library.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 running for Library Trustee because to me, a library represents democracy at its best. No matter who you are, you have the opportunity to access knowledge on any subject, draw your own conclusions and use that knowledge to better your life. And, I want to be a part of preserving this for our patrons.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.I am proud to have been a part of the building of our library at 100 Library Lane. I think that our careful management of the library's finances and our use of those funds to create a library with the necessary resources for today's environment has been and continues to be very important.Do you have a library card? How long have you had it? How often do you use it?Yes! I've had one since I came to Grayslake in 1968. I use it multiple times a month.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.You try to strike a balance between technology and the more traditional fare at the library. You also utilize the space you have with more strategic shelving and space management. Expanding the physical plant could be a solution, but you try all other feasible means before broaching a facility expansion.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 economic atmosphere means that the funds must be carefully allocated. The library allows the patrons to enjoy multiple items like DVDs, CDs, books, and eBooks, etc., thus helping them utilize their budgets more expediently. As technology changes, the library needs to keep relevant by evaluating and revising services and collections provided.