Jim Larson: Candidate Profile

Back to Cook Memorial Library Board 4-year terms

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: LibertyvilleWebsite: NAOffice sought: Cook Memorial Library Board 4-year terms Age: 55Family: Wife and one son.Occupation: Engineer/Project ManagerEducation: University of Illinois, Urbana, BS- Physics; MS-Electrical Engineering; Lake Forest Graduate Schoool Management-MBACivic involvement: Cub Scout Pack 60 - Den Leader, Boy Scout Troop 72 - Summer Camp Coordinator.Elected offices held: No public offices previously held.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 believe that libraries are a key public access point of information and knowledge for all members of the community. I want to ensure that the library continues to be relevant in the internet world and listens to its community members when creating policy.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.As a non-incumbent, I want to ensure our library is a welcoming and highly accessible place for every patron, within a fiscally responsible framework.Do you have a library card? How long have you had it? How often do you use it?Yes, I have had a library card ever since moving into the community almost 5 years ago. I visit the library about once a week to see what new materials are available and to see how people are using the library.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.Our library has expanded its facilities within the last few years. Although continuous improvement can always take place within any organization, I have found that both branches of the library to be well organized and run by a professional, friendly and helpful staff.What impact have economic and technological changes had on libraries? How does a library remain relevant? How should its role in the community change?Our library has utilized tags (RFID) that can be scanned to allow for convenient self-service check-out. The library has also instituted an E-Books program, which allows patrons to â#8364;#339;downloadâ#8364;ť books for limited amounts of time giving greater public access to materials.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?Our library should continue to strive to make materials readily and easily accessible through the use of the internet and other technologies and encourage greater community interaction with the library.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Dick DurbinWhat's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Strong families ties provide for better lives later in life.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?Getting a more diverse education.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?Math was a favorite subject which helped me in my engineering education.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Learn as much as you can early in life.