Incumbents win in Gail Borden library board race

Incumbents Beth Kruger, Sue Moylan and Patricia Harkin beat out three challengers Tuesday in the race for Gail Borden Public Library board.

Newcomers Amanda Garcia, Tiffany Henderson and Randy Hopp were also seeking three open seats on the board.

Unofficial results with all 82 precincts reporting showed Kruger with 5,259 votes, Moylan with 4,998 votes and Harkin with 4,156 votes. Garcia had 3,480 votes, Henderson had 3,188 and Hopp had 2,417.

All candidates generally agreed the library serves the community well.

Garcia and Henderson gave the thumbs-up to the board's decision to buy for $1.2 million the half-empty building that contains the branch in South Elgin.

Moylan said the board relied on advice of its bond counsel and selected the best among several financing options.

But Kruger said the decision, although sound, was made too quickly.

Henderson said she wants to better publicize resources like "Studio 270," a digital media lab for teens on the second floor of the main library.

Garcia said the library should enhance resources for small business entrepreneurs, and financial advice resources for 20- and 30-somethings.

Harkin advocated extending hours for the main library on Fridays, when it closes at 6 p.m., and opening it on Sundays.

The library should look at all its hours of operation, including at the Rakow and South Elgin branches, and possibly shorten some while expanding others to keep staffing levels unchanged, Kruger said.