Nathan Johnson: 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: Vernon HillsWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Cook Memorial Library Board 4-year terms Age: 45Family: Wife Andrea son, 11 daughter, 4Occupation: ITEducation: B.S. in Mathematics from UIUCCivic involvement: Library Trustee, Cook Memorial PublIc Library Coach for youth soccerElected 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?Our library district is composed of several communities. During my years on the board there have several times when I was the only trustee not from Libertyville. Even the best intentioned people will overlook things if they all have the same point of view. While I enjoy the library we have today, I am also aware that the library and it's role in community will change over time. As the chair of the Resources, Services and Long-range Planning Committee committee, I am working to keep the library and the board with a vision of the future as well as the needs of the present.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 the chair of the Resources, Services and Long-range Planning Committee committee, I have brought staff and board members together to determine where the library has challenges, such as staffing or resources, and what challenges are coming up so that we can plan for them, rather than react to the new crisis of the moment. I also serve on the Policy committee, reviewing and updating policies for the district, and have joined the ad hoc Technology committee where staff and board members discuss and plan future technology initiatives.Do you have a library card? How long have you had it? How often do you use it?Yes, I do. I have had a Cook Memorial card since the first week that my wife and I moved into the district. I generally use it at least once or twice a month.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.While our district serves a diverse population, on our recnt survey there was widespread agreement on one issue; there isn't enough parking. Unfortunately, at Cook Park, due to its central location in Libertyville, there is little the library can do to address it independently. The board does track and cooperate with the village's initiatives to improve parking. At Aspen Drive, parking has been a problem, but the library has reached an agreement with the village of Vernon Hills to expand parking there in the spring. The two locations serve nearly the same number of patrons (~25,000 at Cook Park, 21,000+ at Aspen Drive in December 2014) but Aspen Drive has less than half the square footage of Cook Park. Also, the small footprint of the building means that the children's department is right next to areas where other patrons would prefer a more traditionally quiet library experience. The board and staff are investigating ways to expand Aspen Drive without a tax increase.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 expanded into electronic media, such as e-books, downloadable audio books and services that allow patrons to download music and movies. This is balanced by a continued demand for materials traditional formats. What the public needs, wants, and can use will change over time; we no longer carry video tape materials, for example. But a library is more than just a building full of materials, and it always has been. It is a meeting place for students and teachers, such as at the Finals Week program both locations hold in cooperation with the high schools. It is a place to meet others with shared interests at the many programs held each month. It is a place where children can be excited by story times and crafts. Meeting rooms are available for community groups as well. Libraries also provide access to tools and information. Not everyone has a computer at home, but, at the library, any patron can look up news of the day, read job listings or write a resume. The district holds very popular classes in technology as well, helping patrons learn to use what they have. Also, while you can find almost any information on the internet, that doesn't mean it is accurate. Librarains are trained to find accurate information.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?I would go back and take different classes in high school. Latin and Keyboarding are two I wish I had taken.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?Mathematics. As an IT professional, most of my programming has relied on understanding mathematics.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?The actions we don't take define our results as much as the ones we choose.False7901052Nathan Johnson, running for <a href="/news/politics/election/race/Cook-Memorial-Library-Board/">Cook Memorial Library Board 4-year terms</a> False