Jo Beckwith: Candidate Profile

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: WadsworthWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Warren Newport libraryAge: 57Family: Married. Two sons, a junior at University of Illinois and a junior at Warren High School.Occupation: Reference Librarian, College of Lake CountyEducation: B.A., Psychology, MacMurray CollegeM.S.L.S., University of IllinoisCivic involvement: Candidate did not respond.Elected offices held: Candidate did not respond.Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: Candidate did not respond.Questions 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?My reason for running for library trustee is simply that I would like to volunteer some of my time in service to my community. There is no single issue or agenda that motivates me to serve. WNPL is an excellent library, and I would love to help it continue being a great resource for its citizens.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.As a library user who is also a librarian, I have a unique understanding of both providing and using library services and resources. This understanding of both aspects could bring a unique perspective to the board and its decision making.Do you have a library card? How long have you had it? How often do you use it?I have always had a library card and use it often. My book club recently used the great book club loan service at WNPL. The audiobooks are another favorite collection of mine.Space is usually an issue at 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.Keeping the desires of the community in mind is important when deciding what parts of a library collection to maintain or phase out. Technology can often increase access to materials without increasing the need for space. WNPL is currently under construction to renovate and expand the space. The finished space will include space for additional technology (such as a computer lab), as well as more space for people (such as a new teen area and improved story room).What impact have economic and technological changes had on libraries? How does a library remain relevant? How should its role in the community change?Technology has changed and enhanced many functions within the library, from materials ordering to reference service, but there are costs associated with technologies. Like all organizations, libraries must operate within their means. The guiding principal for adopting and paying for technology should be its ability to provide or improve the service that we offer our community. The relevance of libraries is captured in WNPL's mission statement: access to information and lifelong learning. Knowledge of the community and responsiveness to its needs are critical toward fulfilling any library mission and to remaining relevant.