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Jeffrey Westhoff: Candidate Profile

Palatine Library Board

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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: PalatineWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Twitter: https://twitter.com/Jeffrey4LibraryFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/Jeffrey4Library/Office sought: Palatine Library Board Age: 51Family: Wife, Jeanette WesthoffOccupation: Author and freelance writerEducation: Marquette University, BA in Journalism/EnglishCivic involvement: Served on the board of directors of the Chicago Film Critics Association, a 401(c)(3) nonprofit.Taught catechism at St. Theresa parish in Palatine for 10 years.Elected 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?The Palatine Public Library is an important place to me, a place where I spend a lot of time. As a writer, I owe the library my livelihood. I wrote most of my first novel there, and I am working on my second one there. I have written nearly all of my freelance assignments there, and the great staff has helped me find the answers to important research questions. But it's not all work for me at the library. My wife and I enjoy the many historical or enrichment programs in the evenings. We attend at least one a month. Professionally and personally, I owe much to the Palatine library, and I feel it is time to give back by serving as a trustee. I would do my best to ensure that everyone in our community is able to benefit from the library as I have. I believe the public library is the Palatine area's greatest treasure. I want to help it to continue to shine today and to shine more brightly tomorrow.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.Candidate did not respond.Do you have a library card? How long have you had it? How often do you use it?I have had a library card for as long as I've lived in Palatine, which is 22 years. I use my card several times a week, whether to check out books or BluRays, to use the public computers or to read an e-book on my tablet through one of the apps the library subscribes to.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.Because of where the Palatine library is situated, I doubt physical expansion is practical or even possible. In recent years the library has done a remarkable job of opening up the usable space on the second floor by removing walls, adding computers and repurposing several rooms.As for how the library should prioritize its collection, I am a book person, so I would like to see libraries hold on to printed material as long as possible. Some things are much easier to find in a book or on microfilm than delving through digital archives.What impact have economic and technological changes had on libraries? How does a library remain relevant? How should its role in the community change?Because of the budgetary logjam in Springfield, the Palatine library is receiving fewer state funds than it used to. I assume this is true of all libraries in Illinois.This presents a challenge for libraries in keeping up with technology, which is constantly updating. I believe the Palatine library has done a fine job of keeping the equipment in its computer labs and digital media center up to date, but unlike other libraries in neighboring communities, it lacks a "maker space" with 3-D printers.In order to remain vital to their communities, libraries must continue to offer technology to the people. Not everyone has access to WiFi or even a computer at home. For many people, the public library is their Internet connection. I know this is true at the Palatine library because I often seen people on the public computers filling out job applications (and I often see library staff helping them). These days you cannot apply for a job without going online. How else would these people find employment without the library?What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?I believe it is important to safeguard a public space where everyone is welcome and everyone is treated equally. One of my favorite things about the Palatine library is that the library is this community's second home. I invite anyone to stroll through the library in the afternoon once school is out. You will see families with every shade of skin color and hear at least three different languages spoken. You may see a woman in a hijab signing her young children up for their first library cards or a gentleman in a turban selecting a magazine to read. Everyone belongs in the library, and that is something that should never vanish from our country.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Former President Barack Obama, who remained cool and poised no matter the situation.What is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?To treat everyone fairly.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?Getting my first novel published before my father died (he did read the first draft).What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?My favorite subject was English, and now I'm a writer. I'd say it helped a lot.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Though I do not have children, my advice would be, "Don't hate. It only makes your life, and the world, worse."