Daniel Prath: Candidate Profile

Back to St. Charles Library Board

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: St. CharlesWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: St. Charles Library Board Age: 44Family: Wife, Jennifer 2 School age daughtersOccupation: Candidate did not respond.Education: BA - Business Administration Lakeland College, WICivic involvement: Current StC Library Board Trustee Wredling Middle School PTO - Vice President Lincoln Elementary School VolunteerElected offices held: Candidate did not respond.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?I am running for office because I want to continue to serve in my community. My family and I use the Library extensively. We appreciate what the community has done to provide such a great service. Being a Trustee has given me the opportunity to give back to our St. Charles community.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.While I have been on the Library Board, we have completed the interior renovations to update the library while keeping the overall budget the same from year to year. This has allowed the Library to offer better service to our patrons while not increasing the recent tax levy request from taxpayers. We have also hired a Middle School Specialist who increases our outreach and service to some of our younger patrons.Do you have a library card? How long have you had it? How often do you use it?My family has had library cards since we moved here seven years ago. We are in the Library picking up and returning materials two to three times a week.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.As a Trustee, I take the comments submitted by our patrons very seriously. As a Board, we compare the current needs and requests with our current facilities and adjust any future plans to make sure that we are able to provide a great learning environment. If you have been to the Library since the renovation in 2014, you have seen how public spaces have been repurposed for current uses.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 Mission Statement of the Library is: "To support the growth and creativity of the individual and foster the spirit of community and local economy." Our Library is relevant because it is THE place to find the resources and reference experts to improve and change your personal and professional life. Does your child need help with homework? The library provides space for tutors and we have a great Youth Services Department that can identify items about the subject. Is your teen looking at colleges? The library has information on that and the broader cities and states of those colleges where they will be living. Are you changing jobs or need to learn a new skill? Not only does the library have paper and electronic resources available, but we teach classes too. Are you retired and looking for a new hobby or way to get involved in the St. Charles community? Come talk to our Reference Librarians, they will point you in the right direction. Are you homebound? Call the library and let them know, they will bring the materials to you. The question is not "How does the library remain relevant?" The question for our patrons is "Why are you not using the library more?"What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?I volunteered to work as a Trustee because the St. Charles Public Library is a great place. I want the community to vote for me to return as a Trustee so that I can continue to create a space for private contemplation and robust community meetings. A place for everyone regardless of age, gender, social, educational, or economic status. A place where your growth and creativity is supported.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Robert M. Gates, former Secretary of Defense under both Presidents Bush and Obama.What's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?I learned patience and active listening from my mother.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I have a great wife and great kids. I would not do anything over if it would change that.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?I loved math and biology. They have inspired me to be a life long learner.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Never stop learning. Work at learning something new everyday.