William Pankey: 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: Port BarringtonWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Wauconda Library Board (4-year Terms)Age: 55Family: Married, two children, one grandchild.Occupation: Academic Librarian and college professor.Education: Bachelor of Arts in Theology Master of Arts in Education Masters of Divinity Masters in Library and Information Science Doctorate in Practical TheologyCivic 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: NoCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 FundingKey Issue 2 ServicesKey Issue 3 StaffingQuestions 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?I am an academic librarian and the Coordinator of Library Technologies at William Rainey Harper College in Palatine, IL. I believe I can bring to the library board and the Wauconda library the many years of experience I have gained in working in both public and academic libraries. The issues that motivates me to run for the board is a desire to give back to the community. Libraries, both public and academic, have played a huge role in my life and the life of my wife, children and grandchild. Libraries are wonderful, magical places where imaginations are nourished and wondering minds find answers. As I age, I want to help leave a lasting legacy for future generations.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.As the Coordinator of Library Technologies at William Rainey Harper College I have an intimate knowledge of current and emerging technologies. As a professor at the College I serve on a number of committees namely, the Diversity and the Teaching and Learning committees. In addition, I am a teaching faculty in the areas of religion and the humanities. As a librarian and a teacher, I feel that the combination of those two roles enable me to make valuable contributions to the library in implementing new technologies, building collections, and expanding library services.Do you have a library card? How long have you had it? How often do you use it?Yes, I have a library card and I use it often. I received it soon after my wife and I moved to Port Barrington about 8 years ago.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.Firstly, I would have to explore the issues in depth in order to come to an informed position. As a rule, I am always reluctant to deselect library material and reduce library services purely on the basis of space. To do so is, in my opinion, a disservice to the library's patrons. All current library literature speaks of the "Library as Space." In order for the library to fulfill its charge, to the community, it needs to meet the needs of its users. Individuals expect "space" to read, study, work on computers, relax and have a place for their children to learn and play. In addition, it's important that the library staff have the space and facilities to do the work that is necessary to do their jobs properly. All things being equal, I would be in favor of expanding the size of the library rather than reducing the collection, services or staff areas.What impact have economic and technological changes had on libraries? How does a library remain relevant? How should its role in the community change?According to Denise M. Davis is Director, Office for Research Statistics, American Library Association "The economic downturn that began in 2008 has had a significant impact on public and private institutions, among them libraries. The full impact is difficult to articulate and the data challenging to assemble." In my opinion, libraries will continue to remain relevant despite economic and technological changes. In fact, an argument can be made that the local public library is more relevant because of the economic and technological changes! The local public library helps bridge the "digital divide" between those that can afford to buy the technology and those that are unable to. Furthermore, as technology becomes increasingly diverse and ever changing, libraries provide the local community with the skills needed to access the wealth of information and to help patrons use the existing and emerging technologies. Libraries are as relevant today as they have ever been and will continue to be so in a thriving, literate and democratic society.