Parth Patel: Candidate profile

Bio

Name: Parth R. Patel

City: Bartlett, IL

Office sought: Bartlett Public Library District Board - Trustee (6 Year Term)

Age: 27

Family: I currently live with my parents and my older sibling. My fiancé and her family are also an integral part of my life.

Occupation: I am a licensed CPA who works as a Senior Staff Accountant for a workforce development nonprofit in Chicago.

Education: I received my Bachelor of Science in Accountancy in 2013 from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. I received my Master of Accounting Science from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2014.

Civic involvement: I am a co-founder and co-organizer with Fossil Free Bartlett, a local climate activist group. I previously served as an Admin with another activist group called Action 6th District Illinois, but I have since moved into a general member role with that group.

Previous elected offices held: None

Incumbent? If yes, when were you first elected? I am not an incumbent.

Website: www.parthforlibrarytrustee.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/PRP180

Twitter: www.twitter.com/ParthPatel9

Issue questions

What are the most important issues facing your library district and how do you intend to address them?

I see three main challenges facing our library right now: 1) Declining use of library services - We need to create more of a dialog between the library board and staff and the community as a whole. I'd like to create a portal that will act as an easy way for residents to share their ideas about how the library can better serve their needs. We need to work together to make the library not just more relevant, but the beating heart of our community. 2) Budget deficit due to renovation cost overrun - One easy way to bring down costs is make our facilities more energy efficient. Using energy efficient lighting and tapping into a community solar program are both examples of ways we can save money in both the short and long term while being good stewards of the environment. 3) Decline in library card renewals - We need to create more programming that appeals to residents of all ages, from toddlers to seniors, that will encourage folks to keep their library cards current. Our library should serve as a community meeting place for people at all stages of life, where we can all gather to share ideas and grow together.

Why are you running for office? Is there a particular issue that motivates you? If so, what is it?

About three years ago, I was asked to attend a protest about climate justice. I'd never been an activist before, but I asked myself "If not me, then who? If not now, then when?" At that moment, I knew I had to get involved to fight on behalf of my family, my neighbors and my community. I believe that this same fight for justice extends to the library, and into the decisions that are made by the library board about what programs are offered and funded, and whether or not our entire community is served. These decisions are a reflection of our values. Through expanding the circle of justice, the library can be built into a robust civic space where people can meet, share ideas, learn from each other, and build movements. It can be a place where people become gentler, wiser members of the community. I'm running for library trustee to act as an advocate for everyone in our community, and to make sure that we all have a seat at the table.

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.

Attention to detail - I love to pour over details. I will show up to every library board meeting having already gone through the agenda with a fine-tooth comb and having done my homework, so that I'm ready to fully engage in an informed discussion of all the issues coming before the board. I will encourage the board to treat our strategic plan as a living, breathing document. Not only should we ensure that we're meeting all the plan's benchmarks, but we should be open to making changes to the plan as circumstances change.

Commitment to transparency - I will always be accountable to all my constituents and will be happy to explain the reasoning behind each and every vote I cast to anyone who asks.

Accessibility - I will hold regular office hours, so that members of the community will always know where to find me when they'd like to voice a concern.

Inclusive leadership style - Being an effective library board trustee isn't just about making the numbers add up on the library budget spreadsheet. It's about bringing an emotional, moral and human centered perspective to decision making. I will bring that perspective into everything I do on the board.

Do you have a library card? How long have you had it? How often do you use it?

I got my first library card here in Bartlett when I was five years old. I learned early on that a library card is a gateway to the world. The only time I didn't have a library card here in Bartlett was when I went away to college. But as soon as I returned home in 2014, one of the first things I did was renew my card. Every week or two, you'll find me in the library using the computer, finding a book in the stacks or checking out materials through an inter-library loan.

What impact have economic and technological changes had on libraries? How does a library remain relevant? How should its role in the community change?

There's so much content available digitally these days, and it's growing every day. If we can't find a physical version of the book we're looking for in the library, chances are that it's available as a pdf online. Libraries have to change and grow along with digital innovation. The focus of the library needs to be on bringing people together to share ideas and become better people. Through inclusive, quality programming, libraries can forge positive social relationships and can encourage people to learn from each other.