Donald Henderson: Candidate Profile

Back to Elk Grove Village Library Board 6-year-term

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: Elk Grove VillageWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Elk Grove Village Library Board 6-year-term Age: 71Family: Wife= Donna Son= Dan Daughter= AmandaOccupation: Retaired Elementry School TeacherEducation: Masters in the teaching of mathCivic involvement: Elk Grove Village Library Board 30 years.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?As a teacher I had always been involved with the library at school and in my community. I enjoy going to the library, and I want the Elk Grove Village Library to be among the best in the stateIf 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 have been on the library board for 30 years. I chaired the committee that hired our new director, Patrick McDonald, this past summer. I helped oversee the building that exists today and the various new up dates to that building,(i.e. the new lights, all patron areas and mechanical rooms).Do you have a library card? How long have you had it? How often do you use it?Yes, I have had an Elk Grove card for 40 years. I use my library card weekly and well as attending programs with my grandchild.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.At our Library we bring in thousands of books a year, and we delete thousands of books a year, I am in favor of this policy. This and technology keep our materials current and up to date. Technology has made it possible for us to access a great deal of material, this is the future of the 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?New technology has change the outlook of the library. We now have e-books, videos, audio cassettes, all types of materials for all of people who want to come in to the library. Some people like e-book others like a paper copy. As a board member I feel the staff and board need to seek new ways to remain relevant to the community. We try to do this by listening to patron's ideas and concerns plus seminars and training.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?I want to serve all people living in Elk Grove Village to the best of my abilities.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Father Michael Pfleger seems to me to be a man who is not afraid to stand up for his beliefs and his community.What's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?My father taught me to treat everyone equally with respect and kindness.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I would have liked to have learned to play the piano, the extra time to devote to this would be a welcome do-over.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?Math and science were both my favorite subjects, when I became an educator I pursued a masters in mathematics.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Marry well, marry someone who will make you happy and you can do the same for.