Nicholas Scipione: 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: 28Family: SingleOccupation: Chemistry Teacher and Science Department ChairpersonEducation: Bachelor of Science in Biology, Benedictine University, 2004.Masters of Education in Leadership and Administration, Benedictine University, 2008.Civic involvement: DuPage Regional Office of Education Teacher Advisory BoardKnights of ColumbusHigh School Baseball CoachElected offices held: Schaumburg Township District Library Trustee, 2009-presentHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: No.Candidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 The number of teens that utilize our library is fantastic. Many nights of the week, the teen area on the first floor is overflowing with young people who are enjoying our great resources and studying with friends. We need to assess our resources devoted to this crucial demographic, and make sure our teens have the opportunities to succeed in this ever competitive global market. Communicating and partnering with school districts to make sure our students are adequalty serviced by our library will continue to be very important.Key Issue 2 Fiscal responsibility must be an ongoing focus of the Schaumburg Township Library Board of Trustees. For decades the Trustees have been dutiful stewards of taxpayer money. It is important that public officials realize that if our constituents are expected to live within their means, then governmental bodies must do the same.Key Issue 3 We need to continue the strong tradition of excellent programs, services, and staff assistance that the Schaumburg Township District Library has displayed for such a long time. The Board has invested resources in these areas in a manner such that our patrons have gotten the best bang for their buck. The numerous awards and accolades have proven this point year after year.Questions Answers Describe your understanding of the library district's long-term financial condition and whether you believe any changes should be made.It is no secret that the great recession that we currently find ourselves in has had a major impact on families, businesses and governmental bodies. It is important to realize that loss of revenue and added expenses are serious financial hurdles, and will take time and effort to combat. There are three major areas where the library is losing revenue. First, it is widely known that the State of Illinois is having financial woes. These woes have lead to the dissolution of the North Suburban Library System. This means many of the valuable services provided by the North Suburban Library System will now need to be funded by individual libraries. Second, there is also no guarantee that state will still dole out the annual per capita grants that libraries count on to support services. Finally, the mortgage payments from the sale of the old library building will soon expire. Also, added expenses will incur as the central library and the branches age and need repair. I think the board was prudent in identifying these financial considerations early, and seeking the input of financial advisors and community leaders to find solutions. It will be important to continue to seek cost cutting strategies as we move into the future. The administration has been successful in obtaining additional grant monies. It would be wise to continue this process in the future. New spending projects must not be approved until a better financial outlook is realized. Do you favor or foresee a tax hike for the district in the next four years?My role as trustee is to provide the best quality library with the tax dollars that our citizens provide. As long as I am on the board, I will insist on an open and honest assessment process of the financial condition of our library. When we were deciding whether or not a referendum was necessary this year, the board formed a Citizens Input Committee and held Open Houses to gauge public assessment of our finances. I would like to see a similar open and transparent process in the future if there are any other negative financial indicators. I am hoping that cost saving measures, an improved economic outlook, and frugal spending will avoid any discussion of possible future tax hikes.How is the district handling the balance between revenues raised and services provided?There has been a concerted effort made by the staff to reallocate dollars to services directly related to patrons. More than ever, pennies are being pinched, and departments are delaying all but necessary purchases. Many of the fantastic library programs that our patrons enjoy are done on a shoestring budget. We have excellent assistance programs with job searching and resume building. Our computer classes are second to none. I think the Schaumburg Township District Library has provided patrons with phenomenal services in a financially responsible manner.What adaptations do you feel the district should make to its services to be useful and relevant to patrons in the future?Popular Services has been at the forefront of the e-reader movement. E-readers were the craze over the holiday season, and I do not think it is a passing fad. There are a few issues that will need to be addressed, as is with all new technological movements, but I think we are up to the challenge. Patrons have told me how exciting it is to use My Media Mall to download e-books right to their computers, I-Pods, or Nooks. It is important that we stay in front of this movement.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?Professional development always seems to be the first place to cut during economic downturns. I think we will need to search for creative ways to continue to be the leader in the field of library science. We have staff members that teach library science at the collegiate level. It is only wise to tap in-house resources to lead discussions and educate their colleagues. The Board has started to examine partnerships with other libraries to mitigate some of the costs of professional development. Web and video conferencing can also cut back on travel expenses. I believe that the Schaumburg Township District Library can continue to be a leader in the field, and at the same time not spend an exorbitant amount of money.