Patricia Turner: Candidate Profile

Back to Arlington Heights 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: Arlington HeightsWebsite: LinkedIn pageOffice sought: Arlington Heights Library Board Age: 51Family: Husband (Steve), two children (Stacey, age 26 and Joe, age 24)Occupation: Director of Finance, Infinite Peripherals Inc.Education: BS Accountancy, University of Illinois Champaign 1985 and Masters Certificate, IT Project Management, University of Illinois Springfield 2011Civic involvement: Secretary, Foundation Memorial Fund at Faith Lutheran Church June 2001 #8211; September 2007; Legislative Chair, Westgate Elementary PTAElected offices held: Incumbent: NoEndorsements: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 a first time candidate for library trustee because I've had a lifelong love of reading, I enjoy many of the resources that our library has to offer on a regular basis, and I possess the background and experiences that will enhance our current board, which lacks a trustee with an accounting background. As a CPA with experience in non-profit accounting, I believe my particular skill set will be an asset to the board. I have audited non-profit organizations and have also worked at a non-profit organization for several years. I understand fund accounting, budgets, financial statements and proper accounting controls. As a resident on a budget myself, I appreciate the importance of financial responsibility and will always consider the impact on the taxpayer in any decisions made. 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.In the 28 years that I've lived in Arlington Heights, I am amazed at the transformation that our library has made. The library used to be the place to visit to study, research or check out books #8230; and that was pretty much it. Today, I can check out a book on my e-reader, or research Consumer Report's best buys right from my laptop at home. If I have trouble figuring out the new operating system on my computer, there is a class for that. Working on your car? You can borrow an ODB scanner.Arlington Heights Memorial Library is a treasure trove of resources, and I would work to increase the promotion of all of them, especially those lesser-known gems.Do you have a library card? How long have you had it? How often do you use it?I can't remember the exact date that I received my library card, but I'm going to guess it was when my daughter was born. When my children were little, we were frequent visitors to story time and the Bookmobile. I used the AHML quiet reading room to study for the CPA exam. Both of my children served as Junior Library Volunteers.Today, I use the library's resources frequently. I use the Consumer Reports and Consumer Checkbook links to research purchases and vendors, I participate in many of the classes offered, and check out books and e-books several times a year. A recent landscaping class I took at the library inspired me to renovate our home's foundation plantings, with my husband's help of course!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.No doubt about it, AHML is land-locked. There is no potential to expand the physical grounds but then again, that may not be necessary. As time goes on, more and more of the library's resources are becoming electronic or virtual. We will always need a physical building for studying, meeting, equipment usage and such but I feel that the space issue is being relieved by technology. 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 recent economic downturn and technological advances have had an enormous impact on our library system. Libraries have the mission of retooling their product line to meet new technology demands with the additional pressure of reduced budgets. A library, like any organization, stays relevant by changing with technology and with the times. Book stores are disappearing in favor of online shopping, and electronic devices and home computers are in constant use. People still read, but the method is shifting away from paper and towards their electronic devices. AHML has kept in step with these changes, offering digital media that can be accessed from home, and even classes on how to operate this new technology. A perfect example of our library staying relevant is the "Check AHML" bookmarklet, which checks whether the library has a book while you are browsing Amazon or any other websites.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?Even though the economy has eased somewhat, it is still important for the trustees to be good stewards and stay accountable to the taxpayer. I have attended a few board meetings already and I am impressed with the current trustees' concern for the taxpayer's money. If elected, I will carefully weigh each decision against the financial impact on the taxpayer.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.I find Senator Mark Kirk inspirational for his perseverance and drive to continue on with his duties despite his stroke.What's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Always try to find the bright side of a bad situation #8211; it is there but you need to look for it.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?If I could go back in time, I would have enrolled in computer science courses earlier in life.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?Math was my favorite subject in grade school and coincidently I ended up with a career in numbers!If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Choose something you love to do as your profession. You have a long life ahead and you should spend your time doing something you enjoy.