Ann Kennedy: 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: Hanover ParkWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Twitter: Candidate did not respond.Facebook: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Poplar Creek Library Board Age: 60Family: Husband and two daughtersOccupation: retired librarianEducation: BA in Romance LanguagesMA in Library ScienceCivic involvement: Carol Stream Chamber of Commerce Board of DirectorsRotary Club of Carol StreamKids Against Hunger Fox ValleyElected 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?I worked for in public libraries for over 30 years, the last 6 as a library director. Now that I am retired I would like to use my knowledge and experience to serve my community. I believe that libraries should be responsive to the community and provide for their users the products and services they want. The Poplar Creek Public Library has the potential to be a great library by listening to the community and offering the services which are currently driving the residents to use other area libraries.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 am passionate about good customer service which starts with a well trained and responsive staff. I feel I can contribute to the functioning of the Board by serving on a Personnel Committee. I staff that is treated fairly and equitably by the Library will be a positive staff that will pass those feelings of good will on to the public.Do you have a library card? How long have you had it? How often do you use it?I have had a library card since I moved to the community 25 years ago. I use it almost once a month, depending on how many books I have checked out at the time.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.This is a very difficult subject to address. There is no one answer that fits every community. Certainly many libraries can benefit by getting rid of material that hasn't been used in a long time or is obsolete. Rearranging spaces to make better use of a building is also an option. But there will inevitably come a time when a library that is loved and supported by it's community will outgrow it's space. I those instances the library must judge whether the community will support an expanded facility or not. I would first see what can be done to work with the present facility and then take a survey of the community. The ultimate decision on facility expansion is up to the voters, not the Library Board.What impact have economic and technological changes had on libraries? How does a library remain relevant? How should its role in the community change?Technology has had a huge impact on the modern library, but the printed word will never go away. So it is necessary for a library to balance the demands of print and technology with limited dollars. Esoteric material or high-end technology often aren't in a public library's budget so tough choices need to be made on what to invest in to remain relevant. Library's can also remain relevant. Libraries are more than a warehouse of books, whether in print or digital. They need to become a community center where people gather for meetings, education, cultural programs and relaxation. They need to connect with people by getting them in the door whether to borrow a book or video, use a computer, attend a meeting, meet up with friends, or just relax for a while. They also need to connect with them online by offering databases and services that are free to the public. It is also incumbent on the staff to get out in to the community, to bring the library to those who can't get there, or who don't understand all of the rich troves of knowledge that the Library can offer.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?Early childhood literacy is important to me. If a child isn't exposed to the printed word before pre-school, and especially before kindergarten, they have already fallen behind their classmates. Children need to have books in their hands, whether library books or free ones donated to the library for distribution. Parents need to understand the importance of sitting down with their child and looking at a book together. They don't have to read it, but they need to pick out letters, colors, shapes and pictures. Librarians are especially trained to help with the process and to aid both the child and parent on their journey.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Barack ObamaWhat is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Play niceIf life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I would choose a different major in college.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?Math. I can read a financial sheet and manipulate an Excel document like you wouldn't believe.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Always approach the world with love in your heart. People will respond in kind.