Diane Blodgett: 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: BataviaWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Batavia Library Board (4-year Terms)Age: 58Family: Married, three children, 5 grandchildrenOccupation: Previously, a School Psychologist Presently, RetiredEducation: Bachelor of Arts, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, 1986 Master of Science in Education, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, 1988 Specialist Degree in School Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, 1989Civic involvement: Daughters of the American Revolution, Congregational Church of Batavia, Living Well Cancer Resource CenterElected offices held: Candidate did not respond.Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 To maintain and/or enhance the Batavia Public Library's collections, programs, and resources.Key Issue 2 To provide the necessary technological support to the Batavia Public Library's patrons.Key Issue 3 To maintain the Batavia Public Library's building and grounds appropriately.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?The Batavia Public Library is one of Batavia's treasures and is one that I use frequently. I am proud to call the Batavia Public Library "my library" and I want pay back in whatever way I can all that the library has been and meant to me.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 was an educator for more than 20 years, a parent for more than 36 years, a grandmother for more than 11 years, and a reader for about 53 years. Reading is extremely important to me. Our library offers so much more than reading material. I will work hard to keep our library as wonderful as it is now and will strive to make improvements where possible.Do you have a library card? How long have you had it? How often do you use it?Yes. I've had my library card from the Batavia Public Library for almost 24 years and I use it at least once a week, but often even more. We moved to Batavia from Wisconsin in 1989. Previously, I lived in Wisconsin and I've had a library card there for as long as I can remember.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.I would try to deal with any space issues by doing away with parts of the collection that technology has made less critical. My goal would be to maintain the high standards of our library without placing undue economic pressures on the community.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 poor economy has had an effect on all of us. Libraries have certainly experienced some negative effects from the ecomony, but the library continues to provide us with educational resources, entertainment, music, movies, art, a cozy atomosphere, and so much more. Technology has had a huge impact on libraries by opening up a world of information that wasn't possible in the past. We now have access to information that a mere building could not house. Libraries remain relevent by keeping up with technological advances and the needs of the community. While libraries need to continue to keep up with the times, their relevence in the community will continue to be as a place to learn, read, gather together, find entertainment, and enjoy.