Anita Forte-Scott: 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: SchaumburgWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Twitter: Candidate did not respond.Facebook: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Schaumburg Township Library Board Age: 47Family: I am blessed with 2 wonderful children. Boys who have grown into accomplished young men ages 28 27.Occupation: Owner / Administrator, Bright Stars Academy of Early Childhood, Pre-School, Pre-K School-Age EducaEducation: *Northern Illinois UniversityElementary Education, Early Childhood Education and Teaching1991 "â#128;œ 1992*Elgin Community CollegeAA, Early Childhood EducationActivities and Societies: Phi Theta Kappa - Honors SocietyCivic involvement: -Rotary Club of Schaumburg / Hoffman Estates Member: April 2004 "â#128;œ Present 2014-2015 President2013-2014 Secretary / President Elect2012-2013 Membership Fellowship Director 2011-2012 Rotarian of the Year / Youth Exchange OfficerProvide a variety of opportunities for club members to participate in fellowship activities while reaching out to our community leaders and others who make a difference by investing their time and efforts to the betterment of our community and the world.-Chairman, Northwest Celtic FestVillage of Hoffman EstatesJanuary 2011 "â#128;œ August 2016Elected offices held: Elected TrusteeSchaumburg Township District LibraryMay 2005 "â#128;œ Present Vice-President / Secretary of the Board of Directors 2016-2017,President of the Board of Directors 2013-2014, 2009, 2010Questions 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?To continue providing the very best in services and programs that our Library patrons want and need.Preventing a tax referendum in the coming 4 years and continuing to keep the Library fiscally sound and within budget each year.Providing excellent service to patrons by having a well-trained and highly educated staff at STDL.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.It has been my greatest pleasure to represent our whole community as a Library Trustee during the past 12 years. I look forward to continuing the great tradition of providing 5 Star services and programs to all of our patrons in the future.I have served as President and Vice-President / Secretary on the Board of Library Trustees. I have also served as a Board Member and STDL representative to the North Suburban Library System for many years. I am the liaison for STDL to the newly formed RAILS, Reaching Across Illinois Library System.Do you have a library card? How long have you had it? How often do you use it?Yes. I have had an STDL Library Card since I was a very young child, for more than 40 years. I use it every chance I get whether it's for checking out books, cd's, dvd's or online to download ebooks or music through Free Tunes with Freegal.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.Since STDL is blessed to have a newer main building in Schaumburg and branches in Hoffman Estates and Hanover Park it is unlikely that we would move to physically expand any of the buildings at this time. In fact, we constantly evaluate the use of our space within all of the buildings. In order to update spaces and expand patron programs we have created a Teen Place area on the 2nd floor of the main building by re-purposing areas and expanding the dedicated Teen areas from appx. 600 ft. to a 6,000 sq. ft. Teen Center--ten times the size of the old Teen Center. This new area offers an activity room and stage, video gaming area, study areas and a media production studio for teens to create music and videos. But that's not all. The fiction and non-fiction book collections have be expanded, and teens have access to computers, a projection screen, charging stations, and a digital media lab. Additionally, the newly renovated Popular Services area and main entryway has opened up much needed usable space including a glass enclosed meeting room on the 1st floor. This major renovation was just completed in December 2016 and is open for patron use every day. The HE and HP branches have also seen their share of renovations in recent years. All to benefit the patrons who frequently use those services. Every department considers their collection carefully in order to provide the newest and best selections for patrons.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 all over the country are having to 'do more with less'. Patron usage and needs are increasing while annual budgets remain pretty steady from year to year. Luckily, STDL has a world class staff of Library professionals, a dynamic management team and dedicated Trustees who watch the operating costs closely and balance patron needs within our established budget. With consistent feedback and suggestions from our patrons, STDL remains relevant, yet flexible in our programming and services. A libraries' role in the community is to provide information freely to anyone who inquires and to provide the best services and programs possible. Our Mission Statement is:OUR MISSION IS TO PROVIDE RELEVANT INFORMATION, BOOKS, MEDIA, TECHNOLOGYAND PROGRAMS FOR ALL AGES IN A SAFE AND FRIENDLY ENVIRONMENT THROUGH THE SERVICE OF WELL TRAINED STAFF.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?Providing continuity of excellent services to our community is of utmost importance to me as a Trustee of the Schaumburg Township District Library. I will endeavor to work diligently with the executive director, the staff, my fellow Trustees, community leaders and our valued patrons in order to fulfill my role as Trustee in the coming 4 years. I am looking forward to being the senior most experienced member of the Board and to work constructively with my fellow Board members in the coming 4 years.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Melinda GatesWhat is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?To work hard and never give up.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I would travel more and see the world at a younger age.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?I enjoyed subjects relating to the development and education of young children. I have made my career in the education of young children.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Always show respect for others.