Ela library candidates say library should thrive in Internet age
Five candidates are running for four open four-year terms on the Ela Area Public Library board. Incumbents Chris Stachowiak, Vicki Burger, Dennis Rossow and newcomers John Shaw and Tim Whiting are on the April 7 ballot. Here are their responses to a Daily Herald questionnaire.
Q. Name the three most important goals or objectives this board should tackle in the coming term. Prioritize them, and briefly discuss why you believe each to be critical, and how the board should go about addressing them.
Burger: 1. Ensure balanced budget and adequate financial reserves. Our library's director and business manager do an excellent job at presenting financial information in a clear, transparent manner to the board. The board needs to continue to monitor tax revenue changes and make appropriate recommendations to library management regarding community priorities should a reduction in revenues require difficult decisions in the near future. 2. Monitor the library's progress relative to our strategic plan. The coming months may require changes to our plan as a result of the financial situation and changing patron needs.
Rossow: Goal #1: Ensure the library maintains its solid financials. The library staff does an excellent job at managing the budget, and the library is in good financial shape. This board will need to make sure that future library budgets anticipate the declining revenues from property taxes, so that any impacts to services are minimal. Goal #2: The library has very good outreach programs (schools, senior centers, etc.). The library is currently exploring additional and more diverse outreach programs, a critical component of ensuring that the library is serving the entire community, and providing access to all who need its services. Goal #3: Ensuring optimum staffing levels at the library is critical in order to handle the rising volume of activity at the library. Across all library services, from computer classes to children's programming, and from circulation to computer use, the Ela library has experienced a growth in patron activity. We need to ensure that patrons receive the services they deserve by the proper analysis and deployment of library staff.
Shaw: 1. Monthly board meetings: The current board meetings are held once a month on the third Tuesday of every month at 6 p.m. I would like to investigate moving the monthly meeting to a later start time so that the public has a better opportunity to attend the meetings. 2. Balanced budget: The public needs to know that the board is on top of this issue and that no surprises are coming down the road now more than ever in these uncertain financial times that could possibly curtail current services. The board needs to think out of the box on ways to better explain the library district's financial situation, tax collection process, budget process, program selections and management to the library district's tax payers. 3. Programs and services between joint governing bodies: I would like to see the library district champion reaching out to other governmental bodies within the library district to investigate potential partnerships in services. One such idea would be to work with the school district to offer after-school and early release day bus service to the library for high school and/or middle school students that reside within the library district. I would also like to also have a local governmental summit to investigate if any financial savings can be identified by working together.
Stachowiak: I believe the first priority is continuing to maintain the financial health of the library. The current board realizes that in these trying economic times this will be a challenge but this is critical for the district to remain fiscally viable. I believe that this can be accomplished by continuing to look for cost savings in operations and careful management of tax dollars. By adopting an investment policy the board manages the investment of tax dollars to gain the highest rate of return with the least amount of risk. Second on the list is to maintain the library's building and facilities as this is the district's largest asset. This can be done by a periodic review of the building and its mechanical systems. The board has had an initial inspection done to determine the remaining life expectancy of the facility and a document prepared listing the estimated time for replacement of various systems. We need to continue to prepare for these repairs by setting aside money in a special reserve fund for building repair and maintenance. Third would be to keep our highly qualified and innovative staff. This is critical because motivated and dedicated people are what make an organization successful. Our staff is a resource that is forward thinking and while maintaining established services are always looking for new ideas to better service our patrons. This may be accomplished by providing support and resources they need to do their jobs such as training, flextime and a willingness to hear their ideas.
Whiting: Priority 1: To ensure sound financial stewardship of our library during this period of unprecedented macroeconomic turmoil. The library board is responsible for the financial well being of our library, both short and long term. The library board represents the best interests of our community and must take decisions on budgeting, long-term financing, capital expenditure and pension liability very seriously. The board should ensure that the growth and evolution of our library as a resource in our community be done with fiduciary discipline. The board should also focus on a long-range plan that anticipates the changing needs of a changing community. I have significant strategy and financial management experience to contribute to the board. Priority 2: To ensure library policies support and accomplish our library's mission. And, continue to deliver what I perceive to be strong, community-focused programs and resources which meet the diverse personal, educational and professional needs of our community. The board should continue its strong partnership with the library staff and provide counsel and recommendations, as appropriate, to accomplish our library's mission. The board should adjust policy to accommodate continued alignment with the needs of our community. I have a strong background in needs-based development which I will contribute to our library. Priority 3: To ensure our library continues to grow as a vibrant, well-utilized core of our community across a broad and diverse constituent base. The success of the library can be gauged by how well it is utilized by the community it serves. The board should support the library staff with policies, and communication and advocacy programs, which achieve utilization and satisfaction goals. I have substantial experience in marketing and communication to support the library as it grows, evolves and interacts with the community it serves.
Q. What is your philosophy on the function of a library and its role in the community during the Internet age?
Burger: The library remains the number one resource for community members to access reliable information. While it is true that many residents have Internet access in their homes ... there are still many that do not. The library is again the great equalizer in terms of access to information ... an important element of our democracy. In addition to Internet access, our library plays an important role in literacy development in our youngest patrons! From our laptop programs to book clubs for boys, and many more, the library's role in supporting the social aspects of literacy development are critical to parents and their children. The forecast "demise" of the library as a result of the Internet has not happened. The role of the library has certainly changed but not been eliminated!
Rossow: The function of a library is to be the source of connections for the people of a community. These connections are made through access to information and through the library as a meeting place. Libraries have become more relevant than ever, even in the age of the Internet. Libraries were leaders in providing Internet access to all citizens, and even in this time of ubiquitous home Internet access, the use of the Internet at libraries has increased. But more importantly, libraries in general, and Ela Library in particular, have responded to the needs of their communities for more reasons than simply being redefined by the Internet. Libraries have become the centers of their communities, increasing programming at all age levels, providing a diverse collection of electronic materials as well as books, and reaching out to diverse ethnic groups with collections and programming to assist them in assimilating into the community.
Shaw: Very simply I believe the library needs to stay current with what it has available for its Internet users. I also believe that ample access and support to the Internet must also always be available.
Stachowiak: At the dawn of the Internet Age it was predicted libraries would be obsolete. As Mark Twain once said, "the reports of my death are greatly exaggerated." Likewise libraries are stronger and more diverse than ever. Today libraries are more than just books. Libraries have embraced the Internet Age. Many provide free access to the Internet for those who do not own a computer or have limited access. They have embraced Wi-Fi and are hot spots for today's mobile computer users. Many libraries provide computer training classes on everything from how to turn it on and basic e-mail, to advanced word processing and spread sheet training, and how to use eBay. Strong dynamic libraries are a cornerstone in a community. Libraries are constantly evolving to meet the ever changing and growing needs of the people they serve. They have become meeting places for concerts, cooking classes, tax preparation, early voting and places for historical and cultural exhibits, youth sports league signups, the list goes on. They are not community centers but centers of communities.
Whiting: A dynamic physical library remains an important anchor of our community which should meet the diverse needs of its constituents. Even in the Internet age, there remains no substitute for human interaction, face-to-face community and the joy of a good book. I believe the Internet is a powerful enabler and complement to our library empowering efficient information flow, improved operations and effective engagement between our library and the community it serves. I bring an informed perspective in that I direct the Web operations of a Fortune 100 corporation as part of my professional responsibilities.
Q. What are your thoughts on placing age restrictions on certain materials distributed by libraries?
Burger: There is currently some debate about this issue in the library community. As with similar proposals in the past, the consistent and effective implementation of such "restrictions" are a part of the problem with such a policy. Another concern is determining what types of information would be restricted, what age groups would be affected, parental approval, etc. We have not seen this as a significant patron concern and have not explored such a policy.
Rossow: Libraries should follow any laws in regards to age-appropriate materials. When laws are not specific to certain situations, community standards should be applied. However, it is also the duty of all parents to monitor the use of library materials for their children, and to use sound judgment when allowing their children to access library materials.
Shaw: I believe that the library should not take the place of parental control. Parents know what's best for their children and need to instill those values accordingly. With that said I currently do not believe any items at the Ela Area Public Library should be age restricted.
Stachowiak: Current library policy requires parents or guardians to sign for a library card for children under the age of 18. By signing for the card the adult accepts the responsibility to know what materials a minor is using. It should be up to each adult to determine what is acceptable for their child to view.
Whiting: I am in support of current library policy which recognizes applicable laws concerning access to information, upholds each user's right to access constitutionally protected material, AND recognizes the right and responsibility of parents/legal guardians to determine and monitor their children's use of library materials and resources.
Q. Are there certain materials currently in the library collection that you would advocate removed? If so, what? And why kind of policy change would you advocate?
Burger: I have no concerns about the library collection and its current availability to patrons.
Rossow: I do not advocate the removal of any materials from the library. I am a fervent supporter of the rights of all citizens to access materials free from censorship. I agree with the American Library Association's stance on intellectual freedom: "ALA actively advocates in defense of the rights of library users to read, seek information, and speak freely as guaranteed by the First Amendment. A publicly supported library provides free and equal access to information for all people of that community. We enjoy this basic right in our democratic society." In addition, the highly professional staff at the Ela library has developed a collection of materials that appeals to a variety of Library users. The library staff, under the direction of the board of trustees, reviews each library policy on a regular basis, ensuring that the library is focused on providing the latest in patron service.
Shaw: I support intellectual freedom so diverse points of view are available. As an Ela Area Public Library Board member, I would support keeping all points of view available and would safeguard that right.
Stachowiak: Libraries, like newspapers and other media, provide information to the public. I do not believe that one individual's or group's opinion should determine or censure what public information is available to other members of the public.
Whiting: I am a strong supporter of freedom of information and feel our library should represent many viewpoints and opinions without censorship. I am not aware of any materials currently in our library collection that I would advocate removed.
Q. Do you have a library card and how often do you use it?
Burger: Yes, of course I have a card and use it all the time! I especially enjoy the convenience of placing materials on hold (from our library's Web site) and having them waiting for me at our drive-up window!
Rossow: Yes, at least once a month.
Shaw: I do have a library card. I do check out items from time to time. I am also a user of the library's services such as the computer area, newspaper/magazine/periodicals and reference materials. As a family, we check out numerous items on a routine basis.
Whiting: My family belongs to the library and we use the library frequently; once or twice a month.
Stachowiak: Yes I have a library card. I do not use the card as often as others I know but I use the library more than most. I have enjoyed many programs, obtained a passport, used the free notary services, made copies of documents and more. As I said earlier, libraries are more than books.