Elgin library hopefuls differ on spending
It's not the sexiest local race, but the Gail Borden Public Library will have at least two new trustees elected on Tuesday.
Four people are running for three, 4-year terms to help lead the Elgin library, which draws more visitors a year than the Centre.
Two incumbents - Zlatko Koprivec and Larry Wegman - are not seeking re-election.
Herb Gross, who has served two years on the board, is running for re-election.
Challengers Randy Hopp, Sue Moylan and Jessica Thompson are also running.
Hopp unsuccessfully ran for trustee two years ago. He believes Library Director Carole Medal has the board wrapped around her finger and she is spending money unnecessarily and inefficiently, the biggest example being a $1.3 million renovation of the library's second floor.
He also is opposed to creating a teen center on the second floor, as well as expanding the library's administrative offices there.
"I will be a voice to speak up for the property taxpayers and visitors. If I don't get elected, they won't have a voice," Hopp said. "All I can do is speak up. Those people (on the board) are so touchy-touchy, they cannot stand a word of dissent."
Medal responded with a short statement.: "If (Hopp) understood all the facts, he would not be saying the things that he is."
Gross, Moylan and Thompson all agree that the expansion is needed. They say the library, which opened in 2003, was designed to be flexible to adapt to changing needs.
"When the building was built, it was built to be changed around," Gross said.
Gross says in addition to reaching out to teens, he would work to ensure the library utilizes more books in the public domain as well as better technology.
Moylan, who served on the Elgin City Council from 1985 to 1993, said she would continue to support the library's forward-looking programs and reach out to increase the number of library card holders.
"As a trustee, I would be out in the community and hear what people need," Moylan said. "There is not anything negative that I would want to change. I support the positives we're doing now."
Thompson said her background as an urban planner and the master's thesis she wrote about technology access at the Chicago Public Library system will help her serve.
She said she will work to cultivate the library as a community center and push to give people more access to and training for the Internet.
"Having a computer with an Internet connection is just one part of it. People need to know how to use it," Thompson said. "I hope to come up with more ideas that will help the library become even more of a community center."