Hal Snyder: Candidate Profile

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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: Arlingtoh HeightsWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Palatine Library Board Age: 64Family: Candidate did not respond.Occupation: IT Systems ArchitectEducation: B.S. Lake Forest College 1972 M.S. University of Chicago 1973 M.D. Northwestern University, 1982Civic involvement: Candidate did not respond.Elected offices held: 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 would like to see the Palatine Library continue to provide excellent service to the community.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.I will look for ways to keep improving on value delivered to the community, for example by keeping materials, meeting rooms, programs, and computer equipment up to date and in line with what will be most useful to library patrons.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 had it for years. I have not used it much lately.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.First, it depends on the balance between value of the particular collection in question to the community, versus the cost of expanding, in dollars and opportunity cost. Also, this sort of decision should take place in the context of the existing space planning for the library. So I would review current plans, recent needs assessments, and current best practice and, based on that, make a recommendation to the board.What impact have economic and technological changes had on libraries? How does a library remain relevant? How should its role in the community change?Information technology has enabled libraries to shift from printed materials to digital content and online facilities. Libraries remain relevant by continuing to lead their communities as centers for learning, reference, creativity, and literacy. The role in the community can be much more than offering a collection of circulating materials. A library offers the skills of its staff and the space under its roof as a safe and equitable place for people to advance their careers, improve language skills, and customize learning for students of all grades and ages to supplement what is available in the school system.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?Keeping the library on a sound financial footing. Fostering healthy working relationships with supporting organizations such as the Library Foundation and Friends of the Library and looking for new partnerships. Supporting an ongoing series of informative and entertaining library events and exhibits.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Neil deGrasse TysonWhat's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Don't give up when tackling a difficult problem.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?No do-overs needed. I believe we should learn from the past and live in the present.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?Math and physics. Made me unafraid of complicated technical challenges.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?If a problem seems confusing and intimidating at first, calm down and realize that is just your brain telling you it's working on the problem.