Valerie Sherman: 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: Candidate did not respond.Twitter: @Valerie4LibraryFacebook: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Palatine Library Board Age: 34Family: Husband Dave Musser, mother Sara Sherman, sister Michelle Sherman. Father Chris Sherman (deceased)Occupation: FundraisingEducation: Juris doctor from DePaul University School of Law; bachelor of arts from Illinois State UniversityCivic involvement: I volunteer on a frequent basis, including: (1) preparing wills for police and fire personnel, (2) advocacy and fundraising for Leukemia Lymphoma Society, and (3) teaching knitting to detainees in drug recovery at the Cook County JailElected offices held: NoneQuestions 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 for this office because the library has given much to me, and I want to help it in return. The fiscal issues facing Illinois place library funding in potential danger. I want to use my fundraising background to find ways to address those dangers. I am also seeking more involvement in the Palatine community and to use my leadership and networking skills to help the library serve the community. The board's current outreach activities interest me and I can be of vital assistance.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 run a social media page for the charity I am involved with for knitting classes in the Cook County Jail, and I would like to spearhead a social media presence (Twitter, Facebook) to support the library. Given the library's future financial needs, such a social media campaign would dovetail well with potential referenda proposed to the community. As I mentioned in a previous question, I have networking skills from my years in fundraising and development that will assist with the board's current outreach initiatives.Do you have a library card? How long have you had it? How often do you use it?Yes. I have had a library card my whole life - from 1st grade in my hometown of New Lenox until the present in Palatine, where I have lived for 11 years. I use it on a weekly basis to rent books, movies, and audiobooks.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.Given the financial issues facing the library with repairs needed for the existing premises, I do not believe that expanding the physical storage space is likely a viable option. I would consider two ways to better utilize existing space. First, ensure there is a process for taking materials out of circulation that are either outdated or have not been checked out for a long period of time. If there is such a process, work with library staff to evaluate whether changes need to be made or if the process is working well. Second, librarians have expertise about which parts of the collection have truly been made obsolete or less critical. They attend conferences, read industry publications, and have data on the collections utilized by the public in recent years. I would utilize that expertise in considering whether some collections can be sold or donated to make room for other collections or technology that the community is more excited to use. In the board meetings I have attended, I have been very impressed with the library staff's data on circulation and would be eager to discuss that data with them to help solve the space issue.What impact have economic and technological changes had on libraries? How does a library remain relevant? How should its role in the community change?My mother in law is a librarian and has told me about the changes she has seen at her library, including more community desire for digital materials, more utilization of computers available on-site, and less use of some hard-copy materials, such as encyclopedias. I have also noted changes to public consumption of information and news, which now seems focused on social media news, podcasts, and e-books. In fact, in my office, we have a book club that is going to begin "reading" a podcast or TED Talk instead of a hard copy book. As much as I love reading hard copy books, I recognize that many people - especially young people - are trending in the digital direction. I think a library remains relevant by providing a central location to rent materials that you would be forced to buy elsewhere, and also in recommending or making available materials that you could obtain for free (such as podcasts). Providing these materials, as well as lectures or "reading" groups to accompany the materials, is a way to remain relevant while still providing quality material to the community.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?I am concerned by a gap between fact and fiction in American politics today. Libraries are an important tool in widening a person's world view, in lifelong learning, and in the ability to separate fact from fiction by thinking critically. Education and free public libraries are two keys to fighting ignorance and keeping an open mind. These tools will be more critical than ever in the next few years, and I am eager to support that mission.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Angela Merkel, current Chancellor of GermanyWhat is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?To always keep the ability to laugh. My sense of humor is my favorite thing about myself, and I got it from my parents.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I was a first-generation college student, and I wish I had made some applications to fancy universities that I thought were out of my league.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?History. It gave me a love of reading, research skills, and the ability to think critically about our past and present.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?That being able to laugh at bad circumstances will save your life.