Donna Kline: Candidate Profile

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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: ElginWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Gail Borden Library Board Age: 57Family: Husband, Joel Kline Stepchildren (and spouses): Josh and Raquel Kline (Fort Wayne, IN); Jesse and Heidi Kline (Indianapolis, IN); Jill Kline and Jeff McAvoy (Milwaukee, WI) Grandchildren: Paul (5) and Fiona (3)Occupation: Retired as director of deacon ministries for the Church of the Brethren (denominational office)Education: Thiel College (PA)- BA in Psychology University of Michigan --AMLS in Library Science Argosy University (IL) -- MS in Community CounselingCivic involvement: Highland Avenue Church of the Brethren Elgin Area Leadership Academy Kid's Hope USA (at Washington School) Past volunteer at PADSElected 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?One of the things I most looked forward to when I retired last summer was having more time to get involved in the community. The library has always been a place I wanted to do more, both because Iâ#128;™ve enjoyed it so much in the years Iâ#128;™ve lived in Elgin, and also because Iâ#128;™ve worked in the field of librarianship, in different capacities, most of my life. I was just beginning to look into various volunteer opportunities with the library when I was approached about running for the library board, and itâ#128;™s been a very interesting process so far! My passion for the work of libraries, in particular public libraries, is my biggest motivation. The staff at Gail Borden has done a terrific job of making the library not just a place to check out books, but where people of all ages and interests can come together as community. Elgin is clearly a very diverse city, something that makes it an exciting place to live. That diversity is reflected in both the collections and programs at Gail Borden as the staff anticipates and meets the needs of the community. Iâ#128;™d like to be a part of continuing the tremendous service the library offers the community as Elgin continues to grow and change.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.My first professional degree was in librarianship, so Iâ#128;™m in a position to understand some of the challenges that the staff faces. As a member of the community I also have thoughts about how the library might continue to serve its clientele. I have working experience both with non-profits as well as publicly-owned, for-profit companies, so I have a good sense of the business aspects of running the library as well. In addition to the years I worked as a reference librarian, I spent more than two decades working for companies that automate libraries. I understand that there is always a degree of tension between what should be automated and what human staff should still do. Automation at its best frees up time for staff to spend on the things that ONLY people can do. That includes providing excellent service, offering extensive programming, and simply interacting with the public in such a way as to better understand their changing needs. I believe that my background in automation can help with good decision-making in this area, and ease that tension. I also have a degree in Community Counseling, so Iâ#128;™ve been trained to be a good listener, something that I think is very important for any trustee. We need to listen carefully to all sides of an issue rather than basing decisions solely on our own experiences and preferences.Do you have a library card? How long have you had it? How often do you use it?Oh, yes. Iâ#128;™m pretty sure I got a library card as soon as I had the necessary paperwork to prove that I lived in the library district, so Iâ#128;™ve had it for almost 6 years. Iâ#128;™m in the library at least every other week, and use the website more often than that. While having a card is necessary to check out materials, there is so much more the library has to offer that doesnâ#128;™t require a card. Iâ#128;™m thankful that the library can measure this kind of usage as well, and can adjust services accordingly.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.I would always start by seeing how the existing structure might be reconfigured before looking to expanding the physical plant. By reconfiguring I donâ#128;™t necessarily mean â#128;œdoing away withâ#128;ť parts of the collection, but rather looking at how the collection is being utilized and making sure that the most critical components are the most accessible. While every library needs to weed its collections on a regular basis to make room for new materials, weeding doesnâ#128;™t always mean getting rid of, but perhaps moving materials to remote storage, on- or off-site. The point about technology making parts of the collection less â#128;œcriticalâ#128;ť is well taken. For example, how much longer will CDs be of significant interest? Fortunately the library has detailed statistics on use of the collections, and can propose changes accordingly. Technology may change the way services are provided as well, which may have an impact on the physical plant. For example, there is lots of now open space where circulation staff used to work. With circulation being almost entirely automated now, there simply isnâ#128;™t the need for space for physical bodies like there used to be. Thatâ#128;™s prime real estate. How might it be re-configured to increase access both to collections and to serve the extensive programming that the library offers?What impact have economic and technological changes had on libraries? How does a library remain relevant? How should its role in the community change?Technological changes have dramatically changed the role of libraries and librarians. My graduate school in library science no longer even includes the word â#128;œlibraryâ#128;ť in its nameâ#128;#148;itâ#128;™s now the School of Information. Part of me is happy about that since it acknowledges that libraries arenâ#128;™t the only place that information can be had in todayâ#128;™s â#128;œinformation society,â#128;ť but we also lose the comfort that comes from the name of a place that can offer more than just information, but also entertainment and a sense of community. In a time of economic difficulty, the provision of information, entertainment, and a place to simply come togetherâ#128;#148;all at no costâ#128;#148;is priceless. During such times people who may not typically use a library may find themselves there; once they learn about all a place like Gail Borden has to offer, they will likely keep coming back, even as the economy improves. Itâ#128;™s addictingâ#128;brvbar; I canâ#128;™t answer the question about how a libraryâ#128;™s role in the community should change, since I canâ#128;™t predict how the community will change. It is absolutely essential, though, that the library keep its finger on the pulse of the community and adjust its collections and services and programming accordingly. Thatâ#128;™s the only way that the library will remain relevant, both by providing what people want as well as anticipating future needs and planning for them. Libraries are not only places to satisfy needs, but also to help people stretch and grow.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?One of the markers of a vital organization is whether it would be missed in the community should it cease to exist. I donâ#128;™t think there is any question that the Gail Borden Library would be sorely missed in Elgin, but only if it remains vital. I think itâ#128;™s a key role of trustees to make sure the library does just that, from both a financial and programmatic perspective. The way forward in a city like Elgin is through partnerships. The more I get to know about Elgin the more I am aware of how many people truly love this city, and have terrific ideas to help it grow. The staff at Gail Borden has done a great job of partnering with other organizations and individuals, reinforcing the library's commitment to the growth of the city. So much more can be done through partnerships than if organizations work in silos. Finally, Iâ#128;™d like to see the number of people in the library district who consider the library their â#128;œthird placeâ#128;ť increase. Most people have three "places" in their lives: home, a place of work or school, and one other place. For some this third place is a faith community; for others it might be a gym or other place that they feel comfortable, where they belong. For many people in Elgin the library has become that third place; as a potential board member Iâ#128;™d like to work to make it that place for a greater part of the population.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Author and theologian Barbara Brown Taylor, who is not afraid to share her doubts and concerns and challenge traditional belief systems.What's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Donâ#128;™t blame other people for your mistakes. Take responsibility, and deal with the consequences.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?Being more thoughtful about personal relationships, remembering not to take them for granted nor stay in toxic ones too long.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?Writing classes â#128;#147; I write a lot and am often asked for my help editing othersâ#128;™ writing. This is becoming a lost skill!If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Take care of each other; take care of the earth. Judge all of your decisions accordingly and you will do fine.