Jay Kasten: Candidate Profile

Back to Vernon Area Library Board

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: Buffalo GroveWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Twitter: Candidate did not respond.Facebook: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Vernon Area Library Board Age: 61Family: Married 39+ years to Sherry; 2 children ages 36 45 attended SHS; 3 g-children ages 24,17,7; resident of Buffalo Grove since 1989.Occupation: RetiredEducation: Attended Drake University Illinois State University; Dale Carnegie Institute-business certification.Civic involvement: Current Former Board member standings inclusive: Stevenson High School Foundation, Stevenson High School 1999 Long Range Planning Committee,Or Tikvah Congregation, The Woodlands of Buffalo Grove Social Steering Committee, the Vernon Area Public Library Trustee since 1995, Illinois Library Association.Elected offices held: President, Vice President, Secretary Treasurer of the Vernon Area Public Library, Illinois Library Association Trustee Forum President Vice President.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 need to continue to work on three key issues facing the VAPLD, ESL as dictated by our changing demographics space limitations as our community continues to grow both physically technologically. Also, the ever tightening funding dilemma requires partnering cooperation with district non district entities.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 was involved in the $2.3 million dollar renovation of the current building, led the renovation of the annex building,involved in the development implementation of the Allen Meyer Memorial Scholarship, involved in the selection process hiring of the current Library Director,involved in formulating community driven surveys implementing findings, assisted with departmental cross trainingDo you have a library card? How long have you had it? How often do you use it?Yes, over 25 years, use it regularly.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.We have been debating this issue for some time, costs matrices need to be constantly revamped, physical plans are modified, in the end additional space is needed a priority. You are making an assumption regarding technology that doesn't apply to all the residents of the library district, many have no availability outside the library nor are some computer literate thereby necessitating holding all forms of literature mixed media in their current contexts.What impact have economic and technological changes had on libraries? How does a library remain relevant? How should its role in the community change?Economic changes, constraints, are hindering the libraries ability to provide all that the library wants to, ie., programming, increased staffing, maybe operational hours expansion, new revenue options continually need to be investigated. Technological changes have necessitated that the library re-examine in the short long term, space concerns, electronic access patterns changing ethnic demographics. The library remains viable relevant through internal community outreach third party community surveys, responding as quickly efficiently as possible to the communities wants desires taking into account the vision statement strategic goals. The VAPLD is a strong vibrant cog in the community based on growing patron counts, increased circulation, increased program attendance, a highly successful active volunteer program 1 of the few library districts running a competitive election for Trustee seats.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?All costs, personnel, insurance operational supplies have to be monitored negotiated regularly. Long range planning, 10 or more years, also figures predominately into the guiding of the library district.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Benjamin Netanyaho.What is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Family is the most important everyone has to contribute for the event or happening to be successful.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?Helping others who are less fortunate.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?History,not the subject itself, but the educator who taught this class, included life lessons in it how it related to history vice versa.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Listen to your elders, plan for always look towards the future.