Christina Stoval: Candidate Profile

Back to Ela Area Library Board 4-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: LAKE ZURICHWebsite: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tina-Stoval-Candidate-for-Ela-Area-Public-Library-Board-of-Trustees/542965242512312?sk=infotab=page_infoedited=personal_infoOffice sought: Ela Area Library Board 4-year term Age: 42Family: Husband, Bill; daughter Natalie; sons Will and Spencer. I have family in Michigan, Illinois, Colorado, Wyoming, New Hampshire, and California.Occupation: HomemakerEducation: BA Saint Mary's College, Notre Dame, IN 1995 Coursework at Alverno College and Cardinal Stritch University, Milwaukee, WI MaT National-Louis University, Wheeling, IL 2002Civic involvement: Spencer Loomis Elementary School PTO: Secretary 2014-2016; Barnes Noble Book Fair Chair 2014-present; Author Visit Chair 2013-present; One School, One Book Chair 2013-14 Co-Chair 2014-15; volunteer as needed for PTO events (bookfair, field days, Halloween party, etc). Spencer Loomis ES: Library Media Center Weekly Shelving Volunteer 2013-present. Young Author's Illinois: State Conference Group Facilitator 2014. Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators: Active member 2011-present and Co-Chair Book Bounty eBulletin 2014-present. Barrington Writers Workshop: Member 2011-13. St. Michael's Episcopal Church: Member Family Ministries Task Force, 2014-present. Saint Mary's College, Notre Dame, IN: Member Reunion Gift Committee 2014-present.Elected offices held: None.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 the office of Library Trustee because I am profoundly proud of the Ela Area Public Library and want to take an active role in leading it. I am passionate about children's literature and think that I can add a perspective to the library board that is underrepresented right now. Technology is also very important to me, as it is to most of us, but we need to keep in mind that there is still a segment of society that isn't tech savvy and I want them to feel comfortable at the library, as well.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 have a deep desire to improve literacy among children and assist our children's department help parents struggling with teaching children to read. To me, reluctant readers are puzzles waiting to be solved. There are SO many books out there, I truly believe that every child could love reading if they were introduced to the right book, at the right time.Do you have a library card? How long have you had it? How often do you use it?I have had a library card since we moved to Illinois in 2010. My library use fluctuates, but I'd say I use it one to three times per month, sometimes more often than that.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.Meeting space, space for cooperative learning, and quiet study space are critically important in today's libraries. We are lucky enough to be about to witness the renovations that the Ela Area Public Library has made to accommodate those needs. If and when doing away with part of the collection becomes necessary, I'd look to the Ela Area Public Library librarians to determine which items are the least utilized by patrons. They alone will best be able to provide an accurate picture of patron usage patterns.What impact have economic and technological changes had on libraries? How does a library remain relevant? How should its role in the community change?As the economy has been keeping and making many of us nervous lately, it has also made many families rely on libraries for informational and recreational reading material, as well as for entertainment (video games and movies). Today, there are fewer places to "rent" movies, and the RedBox-type machines only contain the latest releases. Not all families have access to streaming video, so these families will always need access to a library's free media collection. Additionally, our families are more on-the-go than families of a generation or two ago. More parents are checking out audio books, so they can "read" in the car. To remain relevant, the library needs to continue to add the latest book, audio book, movie, and game releases as soon as they become available. Fewer people reading newspapers? Don't order so many. But as long as there is one patron who comes to the library to read his paper, the library needs to provide it. The library's role in the community must change in time with it's patrons' needs. But better, yet, it should anticipate the changing needs and stay one or two steps ahead.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?The Ela Area Public Library, should I be elected, will be a library for all, regardless of age, tech savvy, or income. We will have a 3D printer and audible books, but we also always have print materials (as long as they are produced, anyway).Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Malala Yousafzai is the world leader for human rights and education activism with whom I have always been impressed.What's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Tell the truth and speak it even when others are afraid to.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I left one job for another only to find out that the grass wasn't greener on the other side of the fence. Wish I hadn't.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?Geometry. I can hang pictures pretty well without measuring!If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Be kind to everyone, all the time.