Nick Caltagirone: Candidate profile

Bio

Name: Nick Caltagirone

City: Batavia

Office sought: Batavia Library Board

Age: 44

Family: Wife (Tammy) and Son (Joe)

Occupation: Teacher at West Chicago Community High School

Education: BA Philosophy - Northern Illinois University; BA History - Northern Illinois University; MA History - Northern Illinois University; MA Education - Benedictine University

Civic involvement: Volunteer for Friends of Batavia Library

Previous elected offices held: None

Incumbent? If yes, when were you first elected? N/A

Website:N/A

Facebook:N/A

Twitter:@NickCaltagirone

Issue questions

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

The most important issue facing our library district is being cognizant of fiscal realities while remaining a pillar of our community. Budgets and fiscal constraints are real; however, we have to be ever vigilant in protecting the public aspect of the public library. Our library serves our community, employs members of our community, and is a centerpiece of our community and a such deserves to be adequately taken care of within the boundaries of fiscal

realities.

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

I love the library. My family and I spend a great deal of time in our public library and I am motivated to see it continue to be the best library in the Fox River Valley. The public library is a place for gathering, a place for learning, a place for families, and a place for our entire community to share and grow. I want to make sure that our library continues to play this most important role.

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.

I am not an incumbent, but I would focus on educational initiatives at our library. Being an educator for nearly twenty years, I am personally and professionally committed to the idea of an educated public. I want to help the library continue to build its already strong educational programs. Ranging from early childhood education to continuing adult education, I would help the library refine and expand programs designed to encourage a wide variety of learning opportunities.

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

I have had a library card as long as I can remember and I use my library card at least every other week, if not weekly.

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

Economic changes require that libraries function within the bounds of fiscal reality while creatively utilizing resources to provide the best possible service for the community. Technological changes have affected our library, and they way we learn, in profound ways. The digitization of information requires that in order for libraries to remain relevant they must offer the community simple access to the wealth of electronic information. Although these technological changes are significant, it should be remembered that books - paper bound with covers - are still the mainstay of the library. While myriad technological innovations have increased our access to knowledge, our library needs to continue providing information in its traditional forms as well.