Andrea Vanderhoek: 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: PalatineWebsite: facebook.com/voteforvanderhoekTwitter: twitter.com/votevanderhoekFacebook: facebook.com/voteforvanderhoekOffice sought: Palatine Library Board Age: 30Family: Candidate did not respond.Occupation: Registered NurseEducation: Bachelor of Arts, philosophy, minor in economics, Southern Illinois UniversityBachelor of Science, nursing, University of South CarolinaCivic involvement: Candidate did not respond.Elected offices held: Trustee, Palatine Public Library DistrictQuestions 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 am running to retain my seat on the Palatine Public Library District Board of Trustees because I believe in the library's Mission Statement and am committed to protecting it. Specifically, I find it imperative that the library continue to "welcome[ ] everyone" and support the "right to read, to view, [and] to access information." Furthermore, I look forward to continuing my efforts to connect with the community, learning how we can best serve and meet the community's needs while continuing to operate with transparency and fiscal responsibility.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.After being appointed to the board in September, I helped create and currently chair the Community Connection Committee. The goal of the committee is to reach out to community representatives and leaders and begin building lasting, working relationships. The committee is currently planning a spring event to bring these groups together and initiate dialogue. When elected, I will continue this work and hope that, through these relationships, the mission of the library and the outcomes we produce, will be strengthened.Do you have a library card? How long have you had it? How often do you use it?I have had a Palatine library card since I was a child. As we moved around the country for my husband's military service, I had a library card each place we lived. When we moved home to Palatine, getting a new Palatine library card was one of the first things I did. I use my library card and the library's space, resources, and programs several times a week.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.My answer to this dilemma would be that, as a tax-supported entity, our priority is to respond to the needs of our community. Ongoing assessment of the community's wants and needs through our surveys drives how we utilize and prioritize our space. This feedback is currently reflected in our Long Range and Strategic Plans, which are regularly updated. Further, in acknowledging not only space constraints but the desirability of community outreach, we have made efforts to collaborate and extend our services outside of our four walls through such activities as Storytime in the Park and participation at the Farmers' Market.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 library is impacted by the economy as we balance developing and expanding our services and maintaining our infrastructure with the constraints of fewer resources. Some technological developments such as eReaders, Rokus, and hoopla service have allowed us to provide greater access to patrons outside of business hours. Technology and access to vast amounts of information also present challenges, such as how to make use of technology and how to discern true and reliable information. These issues make the library not only relevant but essential to the community. Our library and librarians provide a welcoming space, access to information, as well as programs, resources, and guidance to promote literacy, in the traditional sense, as well as technological and digital literacy. In the years ahead, it is my hope that the library will increasingly come to be seen as more than a place to check out books and instead, in alignment with our mission, as the place for "knowledge, entertainment, and community."What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?My priorities in the office of Trustee are to continue to build relationships between the library and the community, and to preserve our mission of welcoming everyone and supporting access to information. I am also interested in ensuring the long-term financial health of the library and looking at ways meet our financial needs in the future.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Ruth Bader Ginsburg.What is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Coming from a large, close-knit family, I learned the importance of "Ëœshowing up' for someone in need.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I would love to do more international traveling.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?I always loved English. Reading exposed me to different ideas, thoughts, and experiences and has helped me to be a more open-minded critical thinker.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Treat others as you would like to be treated.