BRUCE JEFFERSON: Candidate Profile

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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: PalatineWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Twitter: Candidate did not respond.Facebook: Re-elect Bruce Jefferson, Palatine Library Trustee; https://www.facebook.com/ReelectBruceJeffersonPalatineLibraryTrustee/#Office sought: Palatine Library Board Age: 58Family: I have been married for 27 years, I have 3 children all of whom are current or past Palatine Pubic School students in Districts 15 and 211.Occupation: I am an Attorney and the General Counsel for a non-profit community based mental health provider.Education: I have BA degree in Psychology from Indiana University and a Law Degree from DePaul University College of Law.Civic involvement: I am a Trustee of the Palatine Public Library District Board and I am also the Library Treasurer responsible for maintaining the receipts, distributions and balances of Library funds. I attend meetings of the Library Board and spend many hours working on library business.I am a Board member of the Palatine Public Library District Foundation that raises funds and advocates for the Library.I am a member of the Palatine First United Methodist Church.I have been involved with BSA Troop 69 in Palatine.I participate in charity fundraising for the JDRF, Thresholds and Feed My Starving Children.Elected offices held: I was appointed to the Board of the Palatine Public Library as a Trustee in 2011 to fulfill a Board vacancy. In 2013 I ran and was elected to the Board of Palatine Public Library for a full 4 year term as Trustee. In 2015 I was elected by the Board as Treasurer of the Board of Palatine Public Library.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 running for re-election to the Palatine Public Library Board because I want to continue the good work that the Board has been doing. I believe that a good library is important for an informed citizenry. I have been a Trustee since 2011 and after this election I will be the Trustee with the most Board experience. I believe it is important to have Trustees with experience on Library Board.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.For that last 2 years I have been the Board Treasurer during a time of increased financial stress due the State budget impasse. Despite this financial stress the Library has remained financially sound and responsible.During my time as Trustee on the Board we have completed several substantial capital projects including:"circ;cent;Renovation of the main Library first floor;"circ;cent;Repair of the main Library roof;"circ;cent;Opening the new North Hoffman Branch, located in the Willow Recreation Center of the Hoffman Estates Park District;"circ;cent;The new Digital media center with state-of-the-art equipment was created.In addition, the library has continuously sought to promote and achieve energy savings and other green initiatives.At the same time the Library collection has grown and the number of on-site programs for has increased both in quality and quantityDuring my tenure on the Board we successfully conducted a search for and appointed a new Library Director.Do you have a library card? How long have you had it? How often do you use it?Yes. I have always had a Library card no matter where I lived. I use it about once a week both in the Library and online.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.Space has at times been a concern at the Palatine Public Library but we have not had to do away with parts of the collection for space reasons. The Library has been able to better use existing spaces while at the same time expanding technology areas that are growing. The answer is not always one or the other. At Palatine Public Library we have tried to make the best possible use of space and at the same time maintaining a robust and comprehensive collection.What impact have economic and technological changes had on libraries? How does a library remain relevant? How should its role in the community change?As a result of the current State of Illinois budget stalemate the Palatine Public Library has lost revenues that normally come from the State. These lost revenues are an ongoing loss to the Library and its patrons. In addition, costs of library materials and operational expense tend to go up while real estate tax revenues are relatively flat. So the Library must constantly look for ways to operate more efficiently. I feel that the Library has done a good job of being efficient in it use of public funds to maintain high quality library materials and services.The Palatine Public Library has greatly expanded its digital collection including books, magazines, music and movies. These digital materials are available both at the Library and online. The Library has also created a new Digital Media Center with state-of-the-art equipment and software designed for patron digital projects including digital studios.It is important for the Palatine Public Library to continue to provide the services and materials that the people in the Library District need to enhance their recreation, education, career and quality of life. To remain relevant the Library must listen and respond to its patrons. For that reason the Library recently conducted a patron survey to assess people's opinions on the services provided by the Library and how it can do better in the future. The survey showed that generally people have a high opinion of the Palatine Public Library, its staff and its services.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?I believe it is important to make a personal commitment to contribute the time and energy necessary to properly fulfill the duties of a Library Trustee.I believe it is imperative to support the Library in resisting censorship of library materials.I believe it is important to assure that the Library maintains a robust and comprehensive materials collection,in both digital and hard-copy, that are accessible to the people of the Palatine Library District. I believe it is important to maintain the confidentiality of patron records as required by law. I believe it is important to encourage development of community awareness of library services by keeping the public informed of the purpose, needs, and status of Library.I believe it is important to keep informed of innovations in library services and operations through ongoing education, interactions with the library staff and other library professionals.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Barack Obama inspires me as a ground-breaking President and a thoughtful, honest and rational executive leader.What is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?To wake up and start every day as a new and positive opportunity.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I would worry less about where life's path was taking me and try more new things.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?History was my favorite subject. History teaches that each generation has its challenges.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?It would be the same as the lesson I learned at home: wake up and start every day as a new and positive opportunity.