Thomas Piorkowski: Candidate Profile

Back to Roselle Library Board

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:BioQA Bio City: RoselleWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Roselle Library Board Age: 26Family: Wife MelissaOccupation: Assistant Real Estate Tax AnalystEducation: Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and History from Elmhurst College Currently pursuing Masters of Arts in History at Roosevelt UniversityCivic involvement: Treasurer of the Roselle Public Library Foundation Volunteered on a number of local campaigns, including Sam Tornatore's 2012 County Board race Volunteered at the Taste of RoselleElected offices held: Commissioner on the Roselle Zoning Board of Appeals since May of 2009 - Appointed PositionQuestions 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 this office because I want to help the Roselle Public Library to continue being the amazing community resource it has been for many years. There are many services provided by the library, and the main issue that motivates me is ensuring that these services continue. One of the main ways to accomplish this goal is to increase public awareness of the many programs available at the library where patrons can utilize and enjoy the opportunities available to them.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 contributions you would make.The library is currently facing facilities issues. Moving forward these issues will be some of the main areas addressed by the Board and I believe that I can contribute constructively to the discussions concerning this.Do you have a library card? How long have you had it? How often do you use it?Yes, I have a library card. I have lived in Roselle my entire life and have had a library card since I was in grade school. I still use it at least every other week.Space is an issue at many 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 think the first solution would be to try and optimize the current space so it can be utilized in the most efficient manner possible and to try and avoid eliminating any parts of the collection. If this is no longer a feasible solution, I believe that physical expansion would be the better option than eliminating parts of the collection. Currently, the collection does not take up a large percentage of the space available and eliminating any portion of it would not solve any space issues. Fortunately, space limitations do not currently represent a major issue at our library.What impact have economic and technological changes had on libraries? How does a library remain relevant? How should its role in the community change?With the increasing numbers of college students taking classes online or commuting to colleges while living at home, the local public library is still relevant. In many ways it becomes the surrogate for college libraries that are impractical for many of these students to visit regularly. While local public libraries are not research facilities, they do provide a space for students to go and study. In addition to providing opportunities for students, another way libraries remain relevant is through the increasing number of programs available to patrons of all ages. In many ways, modern libraries double as community centers and the main way this is accomplished is by offering these programs. In this way, the library remains a vital part of the community and can continue to reach those who would not necessarily use the more traditional resources available at the library.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?Candidate did not respond.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Candidate did not respond.What's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Candidate did not respond.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?Candidate did not respond.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?Candidate did not respond.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Candidate did not respond.