Greg Zyck: 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: Arlington HeightsWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Arlington Heights Library Board (6-year Terms)Age: 46Family: Married to Krista since 1995, three children.Occupation: Product Manager at Duraco, Inc in Forest Park, ILEducation: B.S. Marketing - Northern Illinois University MBA - Loyola University of ChicagoCivic involvement: Housing Commission for the Village of Arlington Heights Cubmaster for Cub Scout Pack 468 Legislation Chairman for Ivy Hill PTA School Board Representative for Ivy Hill PTA Coach for youth baseball and basketballElected offices held: NoneHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Continue to develop new ways of interacting in the quickly developing cyber world. The library model is changing rapidly with such technological developments as e-readers. It is not just about books. The library needs to continue to be open to all the changes around us.Key Issue 2 Increase awareness of all the services available to the community such as the Bookmobile, Wi-Fi access, multimedia studio, and the Small Electronics Recycling program. The library offers value to our community in many ways other than just checking out books. Unfortunately not enough of us know what those services are. Along with that is to also continue increasing these services base on community needs.Key Issue 3 Continued fiscal responsibility to protect the taxpayers money. While I have outlined issues that require investment in the library it needs to be done in a responsible way. The board has done a great job over the years and I want to make sure we are spending the taxpayers dollars on investments that enhance the community while not increasing the burden on the taxpayers.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?The library has been an important part of my family since I first moved here in 1995. It became even more important as my children came along. Overall the board has done a great job in overseeing the growth of the library. When two seats opened up I knew I wanted to be a part of the Arlington Heights Memorial Library. This coupled with my desire to be of service and help to Arlington Heights I knew this was where I could be of help. the biggest issue I have is to make sure the library continues to evolve as our world changes around it.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 special contributions you could make.Candidate did not respond.Do you have a library card? How long have you had it? How often do you use it?Yes, I have a library card. I have his since 1995. Between myself and my family we use our card at least twice a month.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.Changing the footprint of the Arlington Heights Memorial Library would be time consuming and expensive. The number of books being published increases every year but the technological advances is changing the approach of libraries to these new titles. While printed books will never disappear, and should not, E-readers which can download all these selections are becoming more prevalent. The scope and ease of use needs to continue to expand. The continued technological developments around us can even expand to areas such as the movies, games, and music that the library offers. Printed books never should disappear but we need to embrace all the technological changes around us.What impact have economic and technological changes had on libraries? How does a library remain relevant? How should its role in the community change?The economic changes over the last six years have been profound and lasting. Libraries, such as any business or individual, have to continue to live within their means. Libraries need to continue to find ways to offer the same services without increasing the burden on the taxpayers. The technological changes that are happening at a rapid pace can help accomplish this. Upfront costs such as capital investment in items such e-readers for the community to check out or expending server capabilities do not come cheap. They are necessary to continue to keep the library relevant and even save costs in the long run. The model of the library from when many of us were kids has changed immensely. Its role, however, is no different. It is still one place where the entire community can come together while strengthening each individual through its services.