Elizabeth Kruger: 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: ElginWebsite: http://www.bethkrugerelgin.comOffice sought: Gail Borden Library Board (4-year Terms)Age: 49Family: Husband Paul, Daughter LauraOccupation: Project Manager of new education programs, Professor of Project Management, DeVry UniversityEducation: Masters in Project Management, Keller Graduate School, Bachelor of Science in Engineering Design and Drafting, Northern Illinois UniversityCivic involvement: City of Elgin Planning and Zoning Commissioner, PADS of Elgin board member and co-chair of the PADS annual auction, Larkin Center, Board Member Elgin Area League of Women VotersElected offices held: No elected positions but the Planning and Zoning Commissioner position is a City Council appointed position. The other board positions I was asked to join.Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: No.Candidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Library services have had to be redefined in the current economic arena. As a board trustee member, I will encourage growth within the budget and encourage the growth of additional support for the growth to keep up with both service and innovation.Key Issue 2 Number 1 says it all.Key Issue 3 Candidate did not respond.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 Gail Borden Library trustee postion to help the Gail Borden Library support and maintain the programs and services that have brought our diverse community together socially, culturally and educationally.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.Contributions I will have as a GBPL trustee: 1. I will be a committed advocate of the GBPL. 2. I will support and contribute to the strategic planning for the future. 3. I will provide financial review of the GBPL budget and expenses on a monthly basis. 4. I will uphold the Library Statutes and Administrative RulesDo you have a library card? How long have you had it? How often do you use it?Yes, I have had a library card since the 1990s. As a professor I use the quiet rooms for planning and course development. The quiet rooms are comfortable, convenient and out of the way. In 2010 I lost my job and found a greater need to use the library resources to help me in my job search, as well as emotional growth. I also participated in the free job search support group sessions, which was an enormous help in finding my current job.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.At this time, I do not see a reason to physically expand the GBPL facilities. The GBPL facility is spacious, inviting and accommodating at the present time. I am in support of increasing the use of digital materials where posible.What impact have economic and technological changes had on libraries? How does a library remain relevant? How should its role in the community change?Even with the hard economic times over the past four years, libraries in general have continued to push for the use of technology. According to the Public Library Funding and Technology Access Study (PLFTAS), "more Americans are turning to their libraries for access to essential technology services". The library is where a large group of the community may have their only access to this type of technology. I am in support of increasing our use of digital materials. As someone who has grown up with technology in the Architectural Engineering field, I know technology changes and growth doesn't wait for one to catch up. Technology growth needs to be encouraged and supported.