Dundee Twp. library board seats new trustee

The newest member of the Dundee Township Public Library board will help the library keep its books in order.

Norman Raven, a retired businessman from Algonquin, was seated Monday to fill out the seven-member board. Raven was also appointed as the board treasurer. He replaces Mary White, who resigned in February due to family reasons.

Raven will complete the term that expires in April 2011. He would need to seek election at that time to retain his seat.

Library board President Lenore McDonald said Raven fulfills both a major and a minor criterium the board was looking for in a candidate. About a half-dozen township residents applied for the position.

"Norman brings financial experience, which is very valuable to the board," McDonald said. "He is also from a different area of the township. But that was a small percentage of the decision."

Raven, who is an accountant, is the treasurer of his homeowner's association and serves on various boards.

"I saw in the library newsletter that they were looking for a new board member," Raven said. "I am retired and thought it was a good time to give back to the community."

Raven will act as the liaison between the board and the library's finance director, Ginger Boskelly.

"In dealing with public money, I very much treat it like my own," said Raven, who said he would bring "conservative fiscal policies" to the board. "I am sure the library has been doing this all along, but I am interested in seeing that monies that are spent are for items that are budgeted and that any expenditures bring in good results for the library."