Arlene Hickory: Candidate Profile

Back to Cook Memorial Library Board 4-year terms

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: Lake bluffWebsite: NoneOffice sought: Cook Memorial Library Board 4-year terms Age: 73Family: I have three children. A son, his family and three children in Boulder Co, a daughter and her family with three children in Florida and a daughter and her family and three children in Evanston. I have a sister in Harvard illinois and a brother in Indiana.Occupation: NurseEducation: Bachelor Science if Nursing; Master Science of NursingCivic involvement: CONSEG Lake County Green Congregations College of Lake County Sustainability/community partnersElected offices held: NoneQuestions 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 realized how much I value libraries and I offer my skills and motivation-the result of years of adventure,learning and access to resources...the beauty of the original Chicago Public downtown Library....the Lake Geneva library with the windows facing the lake, the whimsical children's section in the Three Oaks Michigan library. And ..so..many....more.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.I am aware that the main job of a trustee is to be a steward- a caretaker of the library system. As a mother of three children and a grandmother of nine children, the library was/is an important resource for me in my mothering/grand mothering. As a clinical nurse specialist for about 40 years, libraries of all kinds were essential to my practice. I would bring a strong motivation to protect the library as a core community value. Years of work in clinical practice,developing programs, in teaching, gave me skills in advocacy,policy development, strategic planning, evaluation.Do you have a library card? How long have you had it? How often do you use it?I have owned a library card since the age of 4 or 5 and have never been without one. In addition there is connection with many libraries; college of lake county and other academic libraries. Just recently I acquired a book at the Evanston metro station, courtesy of the Evanston Library - no card required. I came upon a book at work at the "give away" table. Several months ago I took my grandson to the Chicago Public Library downtown. We participated in a 3D Lab. my grandson learned about the process of 3D printing as he created his own miniature 3D self sculpture. In the last two months I took three computer classes at Cook Memorial Library to increase my computer skills. In the last month I attended a presentation of Ukraine-Russia political issues sponsored by Evanston neighbors for Peace,hosted by the Evanston Library. I attended a Food and Water Watch education/action meeting held at the Barrington Library( no card required ). our libraries are our best example of "The Commons"...a Public Place where learning is respected,fostered and not commodified.Space is an issue at many 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.The first step is to find out what is loved. Then build around that....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 description of my journey through libraries in just the last two months should be a partial answer. A library stays relevant and it's role changes as it grows with the community it serves. It is called caring.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?I view the library as a critical part of the community. Libraries are ardent supporters of the First Amendment, libraries embrace egalitarian values of accessibility of information,avenues of communicating,providing spaces for creative interchange. In troubled times this public good becomes even more important to community life. I want to support what makes a library an exciting place to be, an important resource and a community strength.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Noam ChomskyWhat's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?The value of freedom..I knew I was given a lot. The value of freedom,I had a lot of it.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?This question holds no interest for me.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?My favorite topic was science. Important for nursing and understanding the world and how to protect itIf you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Honor curiosity and never stop learning.