Elizabeth "Beth" Kruger: 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: ElginWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Twitter: Candidate did not respond.Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elizabeth.kruger.1650Office sought: Gail Borden Library Board Age: 53Family: Parents divorced when I was 5 so I grew up in two homes. Lived in Batavia with my mother, step father and sister. Visited my Father, step mother and stepbrother every third weekend in Elgin. My Father, Richard W. Erdman was an Elgin fireman. He passed away suddenly in 1980 at 41 years old. Moved to Elgin right after college, in 1985. Married in 1988, had my daughter Laura in 1989. Remarried in 2003 to Paul Kruger. Laura is now 27 and living in Huntley with her husband.Occupation: Project ManagerEducation: Graduated from Batavia High SchoolUndergraduate degree in Engineering Design and Drafting from NIUMasters Degree in Project Management, MPM, from Keller graduate schoolCivic involvement: Currently Planning and Zoning Commissioner since 2007,PADS of Elgin board member currently serving as Vice President,League of Women Voters of the Elgin Area Board Member,Gail Borden Public Library Trustee, currently Vice PresidentElected offices held: Planning and Zoning CommissionerPADS of Elgin board Vice PresidentGail Borden Public Library Trustee Vice PresidentQuestions 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?Running for re-election. My passion is to support and provide library programs and services for everyone in the community regardless of age, race, religion or economic status. I also maintain as a trustee we should be fiscally responsible to the tax payers, and be sure that any money approved for spending by myself and the board is supporting services for everyone.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.Worked with Library staff on the November 4, 2014 Geographic referendum, providing information to the unserved residents in the geographic area, distributing fliers door to door and organizing informational meetings across the geographic area. As a secondary part of this referendum, I also worked with staff distributing information and speaking to residents already in the library district so they understood the referendum. Supported the funding of updating the first floor Market Place which after 1-year of planning by staff, it was opened in Nov. 2015. This newly renovated area provides new books, DVDs, CDs and more designed more like a bookstore with face-out shelving to increase browseability. Supported the funding and opening of the Gail Borden Library South Elgin Branch that opened in July, 2016.Do you have a library card? How long have you had it? How often do you use it?Yes, I have a library card. I have had one since my daughter was in grade school. It became inactive for a while and it was reactivated in 2010. I've used it mostly for Ebooks, movies and to download magazines and music.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.Space at the Main branch is not an issue at this time due to the renovation of the Market Place. Space at the Rakow branch at this time is being addressed by staff by shifting materials and highlighting trending topics with books borrowed from the Main branch. The South Elgin branch has room for expansion. The board approved the additional purchase of the remainder of the building that currently occupies the 4,200 sq foot library. This additional space will be used for library storage until an expansion plan is needed.What impact have economic and technological changes had on libraries? How does a library remain relevant? How should its role in the community change?The Gail Borden Library staff keeps an eye on the trending of visitors, circulation eResources, program attendance and computer use on a monthly basis. They review these numbers and if they see a need for an adjustment of services, they will recommend changes to the board. I feel the process that is place is very effective at this time and change to the process is not necessary.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?There have been many changes to the Library during my first four years in office. There has been significant change to the Main branch, and the addition for the South Elgin branch. It is important to me to watch the trending reports of staff to ensure the improvements that have been made are successful. With that success, I will be able to advocate and support additional growth and improvements.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Melinda GatesWhat is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?My parents taught me that hard work and furthering my education would help me to succeedIf life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I would spend the do-over on meeting my husband sooner.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?I was good at art and drafting in school. That helped me focus on a direction to further my education. That made me more marketable.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?My advice is: Always strive for your dreams. You can be ANYTHING you set your mind to be. I will always be PROUD of you.