Barbara Rundell: 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: Glen EllynWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Glen Ellyn Library Board Age: 68Family: Douglas Rundell - spouse Christine Rundell Cangelosi - daughter Carolyn Rundell - daughter Joseph Rundell - sonOccupation: retired Biology Professor, College of DuPageEducation: B.A. University of Rochester M.S. Cornell University Ph.D. University of RochesterCivic involvement: Walk-In Ministry volunteer PADS volunteer Outreach Community Center tutorElected offices held: Secretary - Walk In Ministry Secretary - Deacons at Presbyterian Church of Glen EllynQuestions 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 resident of Glen Ellyn for thirty six years I have valued our library as a wonderful hub in our community that is a great resource for learning and exploring new ideas. I am running for the Glen Ellyn Library Board Trustee office because I want to insure that our library continues to grow and adapt to changes in technology and our society. I want our library to continue to be an important center for education and activities that foster personal growth, rewarding family experiences, and connections among members of our community. I want to work to maintain our library's fine record of providing materials and programs that are relevant, enjoyable, and convenient to access. I hope to accomplish these goals in ways that preserve the library's fiscal responsibility and accountability to the public.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.My experiences at the College of DuPage, along with those as a board member of two organizations, will assist me in providing effective leadership in supporting the Glen Ellyn Library. At the College, I served on or chaired many committees with similar goals as the Library: Planning the effective use and care of facilities and establishing relevant policies. On the Grounds Committee and the Services Committee I helped make decisions related to campus maintenance and safety. On other committees, I contributed to developing plans for using classroom spaces efficiently and flexibly. I recently served on a committee at my church to research ways to update our emergency and safety preparedness. These experiences have prepared me to make decisions regarding the maintenance of the library campus and its space utilization with awareness of safety needs. I also served on committees that developed important school policies such as Gen Ed requirements and faculty assessment. These experiences equip me to collaborate with the library staff and board to make wise library policy decisions. Currently I sit on the boards of two organizations where I am involved in financial planning to work within the current budget and provide resources for future projects. These experiences will enable me to responsibly contribute the library's financial decisions. I am a long-term resident of Glen Ellyn so I am acquainted with many residents of all ages. I will make every effort to bring constituents' requests to the library and also to enthusiastically promote library activities.Do you have a library card? How long have you had it? How often do you use it?Yes, I have had a Glen Ellyn Public Library card for thirty-six years. I use it approximately once 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.I believe that we currently have adequate space at the Glen Ellyn Public Library. However, it is imperative to frequently reevaluate how this space might be used more effectively as community needs and tastes evolve. Unused or out-of-date materials should be removed in order to free up space to house new items or to be used for other purposes such as study groups, programs, and special displays.What impact have economic and technological changes had on libraries? How does a library remain relevant? How should its role in the community change?Libraries face rising costs and must carefully evaluate how to budget their resources and plan for future needs. Libraries must also strive to remain relevant by listening to the public to insure that popular materials and programs are kept and exciting new ones are introduced. Libraries must continue to use diverse methods of communication to advertise their offerings. Libraries must embrace the latest technologic changes in order to expedite their patrons' acquisition of media. I believe that libraries will increase their electronic media services over time. We must insure that these services remain user-friendly with simple instructions available for people who are unfamiliar with the changing technologies.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?I want to find ways to encourage residents who are not currently using our library to discover how our library's many services can enhance their lives and benefit their families. I would like our library to continue to develop partnerships with local business, philanthropic, cultural, and educational organizations to offer programs that enrich our community while using our library's resources to best advantage. I also want to continue efforts to network with other libraries to share ideas and resources.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Bill Gates for creating the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation with his wife to provide resources to fight disease and hunger and promote education worldwide.What's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Put your whole heart and effort and into the work you do and the responsibilities that you undertake.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I would have spent more time with my family members before we had to move to a home that was far from them.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?Biology was my favorite subject. This led to my career as a Biology professor as well as a deep appreciation of nature.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Do your very best while staying completely honest and being considerate of those around you.