Julie Wroblewski Bosshart: 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:BioKey IssuesQA Bio City: SchaumburgWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Schaumburg Township libraryAge: 39Family: Married for 14 years to John Bosshart, 3 grade-school aged children.Occupation: Stay at home Mom, Independant Accounting Finance Professional (C.P.A.)Education: Bachelor of Science in Accountancy with Honors, University of Illinois, 1993Certified Public Accountant (C.P.A.), 1994Civic involvement: -Schaumburg Township District Library - Citizens Input Committee Member-Former Vice President of St. Hubert School Advisory Board-Former St. Hubert Finance Council Member-Volunteer in St. Hubert School Library, Room Mom, Teachers Aide in St. Hubert SElected offices held: St. Hubert School Advisory BoardHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 The biggest short-term issue facing the library district is management of the short-term cash flow considering reductions or delays in revenues from the State of Illinois and other funding sources. The library has made working cash transfers to cover delays and cut back on current spending. The library must continue to manage short-term cash flow and spending outflows. During the recent downturn in the economy, library usage has increased. The library must look for ways to continuously provide more efficient services to library users.Key Issue 2 In light of new technology, the library district needs to balance traditional library service with ever-changing advances in technology. The impact of the internet and alternative ways of accessing information has changed the library. Certainly the library of the future will continue to be impacted by technology such as electronic readers. The library has expanded access beyond the physical facilities to meet the community's needs. With limited resources, the library needs to manage technology costs, balanced with the library's traditional role of circulating materials. Successful libraries, like ours, are community centers where patrons can hang out, use wifi on their laptop, as well as browse books and other materials.Key Issue 3 The library district is facing long-term facilities maintenance and capital needs. The new Central library opened in 1998. The building is extensively utilized by the community. The library board of trustees commissioned a study of capital replacement needs over the next 20 years. Now, a plan must be developed to address long-term capital needs with consideration of priorities and timing. The library board of trustees must protect the community's investment in the library facilities. The board recently decided not to ask for a referendum because cash reserves are adequate. The board will need to decide how to meet long-term capital needs in the near future.Questions Answers Describe your understanding of the library district's long-term financial condition and whether you believe any changes should be made.The library district's current funding is mostly through property taxes. These funds are for day-to-day operations of the library including staffing, materials, technology, programming, and debt payments. The operating budget does not provide funds for major long-term capital projects relating to building infrastructure, systems and equipment.Eventually, the library board will need to look for ways to fund long-term capital projects for facilities maintenance. If a capital plan is not formulated, the library may have to use operating funds for capital expenditures and possibly be forced to reduce hours, services and/or staffing. The library board needs to evaluate current operations and expenditures to look for the most efficient ways to provide services.Do you favor or foresee a tax hike for the district in the next four years?No, I do not foresee a tax hike for the district in the next four years. Taxpayers in Schaumburg Township have been hit with huge tax increases. The library board needs to evaluate current expenses to see if there are opportunities to use resources more efficiently.How is the district handling the balance between revenues raised and services provided?When I served on the Citizens Input Committee for the library district, members generally had positive things to say about library services. The staff, in particular, are helpful and appreciated. The district has experienced an increase in circulation and usage of the library but has been able to keep up and even find ways of improving service. The district needs to continuously look at ways to lower costs like reviewing staffing, renegotiating utility costs, and evaluating capital projects. The bottom line is that the library must live within its revenue constraints, even when usage is increasing.What adaptations do you feel the district should make to its services to be useful and relevant to patrons in the future?I am running for the library board because of my lifelong love of the library. I grew up in Schaumburg Township and now have a house here with my family. I am a frequent patron at the library with my children. I am also active in a book club.I feel the district library should continue to acquire electronic downloadable resources that patrons can access from home or the library. As books are going digital, more sharable collections are becoming available for electronic devices and home computers. Collections that are not being circulated should be evaluated and reduced. Additional room in the library should be used towards establishing more community areas, especially for teens and seniors.Should the district strive to be a leader in the field of library science or look for cost-effectiveness by staying in step with the pace of other districts' development?Our Schaumburg Township District Library is a five-star library, which is the highest rating possible. Only 1% of the nation's public libraries fall into this category. I am running for library trustee because I want to protect this gem for future generations. It is possible to be a leader within a cost-effective budget. The people of the district appreciate the rich experience of the staff of our library. It's important to balance the cost of services while still maintaining quality. I would like to use my finance and C.P.A. background to help this happen.