Kathryn L. Caudill: 2023 candidate for Ela Area Public Library Board

Bio

Town: Lake Zurich

Age on Election Day: 64

Occupation: Director of Donor Relations

Employer: Not given

Previous offices held: Ela Area Public Library District trustee, 2003-2007, 2007-2011, 2011-2015, 2015-2019, 2019-2023

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?

A: I love our library! It is a privilege to serve on the governing board of this award-winning library, giving back to our community as an unpaid, elected member of the Ela Area Public Library Board of Trustees. When we first moved to Lake Zurich in 1987, the library was a 10,000 square foot building. The 1990 building expansion took place just as our family grew and our library usage increased. In 2002, the new 70,000 square foot library building opened. People grow and change, and so does the library, offering many wonderful materials, programs, and "library of things" available for patrons who enter the building or access remotely. Our library is a beloved community hub, a place to truly "share the joy of discovery."

As a trustee, I advocate for our library. I love showing taxpayers and elected officials (both library users and nonusers) what a great return on their investment they can receive just by coming to the library (virtually or in-person).

Q: Has your library seen a significant shift in the use of online materials? Has it adequately bolstered and promoted its online collection?

A: Yes. During COVID, our library became much "bigger than a building." Many of our library services and materials could already be accessed online, 24/7. With the building closed, our staff shifted financial resources away from the purchase of physical materials, increased our virtual and online resources, and adapted programming for virtual presentations and drive-up/curbside pickup.

There was a significant shift in online material usage during the pandemic. In 2017-2018, online materials represented approximately 16% of items checked out of the library. Library staff kept the community apprised of online offerings via our website and social media. By 2020-2021, online materials checkouts rose to over 32%. Even as more people returned to the library in person, items checked out online in 2021-

2022 still represented over 28% of total check outs. One program offered virtually in the fall of 2022 has now been viewed more than 43,000 times on the library's YouTube channel.

Q: What do you see as the future of role of libraries in the electronic age? How well prepared is your library for meeting that role? What new steps must the library begin taking?

A: Libraries are trusted institutions, in part because they are consistently looking ahead, adapting to changing community needs. Libraries are about books, but they are also about: story time, programs, e-books, audiobooks, streaming/downloadable music, passports, health care information, business research, reader services, digital media labs, makerspaces, computers and Wi-Fi access, tech assistance for job/unemployment applications, and a "Library of Things."

Ela Public Library is ranked in the top 1% of libraries across the nation. Our Executive Director and library staff are amazing - always looking for new ways to meet the needs of our community. We have just completed a strategic planning process. Next, we will develop our action plan for the next three years, and we review the progress made on the action plan at each board meeting.

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: As an attorney, I am a passionate advocate for our library. Working for a nonprofit, I bring my practical experience with alternative revenue sources. We recently achieved a personal goal - establishing the Ela Public Library Foundation to benefit our library for years to come, providing a way to make a tax-deductible gift to support and care for our amazing library.

As an incumbent, I began a mentoring program for new trustees, and bring institutional history to the table.

I am honored to serve a three-year term on the Illinois State Library Advisory Committee addressing important issues for all libraries across the state.

My library service has included leadership roles on the Ela library board and on the Illinois Library Association Trustee Forum Board. I have served on ILA fundraising and annual conference committees, and have presented programs on trustee training, fundraising, and advocacy at state and national library association conferences.

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

A: Absolutely! I got my library card shortly after my husband and I moved to Lake Zurich in the late 1980s. I use my library card checking out books or movies at the library. I also use my card for various online offerings - including Libby and Hoopla to check out e-books and eaudiobooks, Hoopla and Kanopy to view movies and documentaries online, Flipster to read a wide variety of magazines on my tablet, and streaming music on Freegal. I definitely receive an amazing return on the tax dollars my property taxes invest in our library.

Q: Describe your experience working in a group setting to determine policy. What is your style in such a setting to reach agreement? Explain how you think that will be effective in producing effective actions and decisions of your library board.

A: Fortunately, we currently have board members that work well together, come prepared to discuss draft documents, and share our unique talents and skills as we review and revise library policies and financials. All Board members are encouraged to raise their comments and questions. We listen respectfully and work collaborating to arrive at an acceptable final decision. Once a board decision is made, all board members supports the decision of the board.

Q: What makes you the best candidate for the job?

A: A successful library board requires seven engaged members, sharing their varied education and experience. It would be a privilege to continue to serve on the board of this amazing library.

I am a licensed attorney and a fundraising professional. I have presented and attended trustee trainings at state and national library conferences. I have served as a mentor to new library trustees.

Serving my three-year term on the Illinois State Library Advisory Committee will provide an important source of information for our library about future trends and practices for libraries in Illinois.

At the North Suburban Library System, I helped create a Trustee certification program that strengthened my library board service and provided a model for other training programs.

It has been an honor to have been recognized by my library trustee peers who have named me as the ILA Trustee of the Year in 2015 and the NSLS Trustee of the Year in 2008.