Anne Chang-Blaeske: 2021 candidate for Lisle Library District board
Four candidates are running for three, 4-year terms on the Lisle Library District board of trustees in the April 6 election. They are incumbents Marjorie Bartelli, Liz Sullivan and Emily Swistak, and newcomer Anne Chang-Blaeske.
The Daily Herald asked the candidates about issues facing the district.
In-person early voting with paper ballots is now available at the DuPage County Fairgrounds Building 5, 2015 Manchester Road, Wheaton. In-person early voting with touch-screen voting begins March 22 at locations throughout the county. Learn more at www.dupageco.org/earlyvoting/.
Bio
Town: Lisle
Age: 51
Occupation: Office manager for a small local business, Insight Property Services Inc.
Civic involvement: Former Lisle District 202 board member; HSO volunteer; former chair of Lights of Lisle; former Boy Scout and Girl Scout Leader
Q&A
Q: Why are you running for the library board, whether for reelection or election the first time? Is there a particular issue that motivates you, and if so, what is it?
A: As we continue in a digital age, where does a brick and mortar library fit? A library needs to adapt its facilities and offerings to continue to be a focal gathering point for a community. I would like to be part of that growth.
Q: Did your library continue to adequately serve its constituents during the disruptions caused by the pandemic? If so, please cite an example of how it successfully adjusted to continue providing services. If not, please cite a specific example of what could have been done better.
A: Absolutely. The library offered drive-up services for students and community members to continue to offer trading and reference materials. Their large digital collection also continued to provide materials during the crisis.
Q: Has your library seen a significant shift in the use of online materials? Has it adequately bolstered and promoted its online collection?
A: They have, for many years, offered a comprehensive online collection — even offering the loan of preloaded digital devices for reading.
Q: In light of our experiences with COVID-19, what safeguards/guidelines should you put in place to address any future public health crises?
A: I would expand the reach of the internet so that it would work well outside the library itself. While that would not help those without computers, our students and community members can still access internet.
Q: 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.
A: A major item for the current board is the updating of the aging building. A process I am intimately familiar with as a previous member of the Lisle Unit District 202 school board. I also love my library and want to see it grow and adapt.
Q: Do you have a library card? How long have you had it? How often do you use it
A: Yes. Since I moved into Lisle 20 years ago (though I have lost it a few times). Not as often as I like in recent years.