Colleen Sehy: Candidate Profile

Back to Lisle Library Board

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: NapervilleWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Twitter: Candidate did not respond.Facebook: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Lisle Library Board Age: 53Family: My husband, Steve, and I will celebrate our 35th wedding anniversary in August. We have three grown children, George, Joanna, and William, and one grandson. George entered the Army after graduating from high school, and served in Washington State, Iraq, and Germany. He is now a mechanic for Honda. Joanna is a graduate of Eastern Illinois University and works in the hospitality industry. William is a graduate of Benedictine University and is a software engineer. We've lived in Steeple Run subdivision for 26 years.Occupation: WriterEducation: BA, Arts, Entertainment Media Management, Columbia College Chicago; MS, Organizational Behavior, Benedictine University, Lisle; MBA, Benedictine University, Lisle.Civic involvement: Lisle Library District (Trustee), 2010 to Present; Junior League of Kane DuPage Counties, 1999-2015; Saint Xavier University Schmitt Scholars Program (Program Advisor), 2008-2016; Steeple Run and Prairie Elementary Schools (Parent Volunteer), 1995"â#128;œ2004; Girl Scouts of DuPage County Council(Troop Leader and Service Unit Manager for 75 troops), 1996-2001.Elected offices held: I currently hold the office of Treasurer for the Lisle Library District Board of Trustees. I'm also the Chair of the Finance Committee, and a current member and past Chair of the Personnel and Policy Committee.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?It's been my privilege to serve as a member of the Lisle Library District Board of Trustees for the past six years. I'm motivated to serve because of the important role the library plays in the lives of our residents and in the vitality of our community. Residents of all ages rely on the library for a wide range of information resources, programs, and technology that supports their individual needs and interests, and their educational and professional development. I'm also motivated to serve because I believe it's critical to ensure responsible stewardship of the tax dollars used to provide this vital community resource. On average, the Lisle Library District tax levy represents just 5% of a tax payer's total tax bill, but through prudent and strategic use of those tax dollars, Lisle Library District Board members and staff ensure that the value of the services provided to residents far exceeds the cost of their investment.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.During my six years as a Lisle Library District Trustee, I've supported initiatives resulting in greater transparency; increased financial and operating efficiencies; and long-term financial and operational stability. During my time on the Board, Trustees and staff have worked hard to contain costs while maintaining and enhancing the services that residents rely on. Cost containment efforts have included renegotiating service contracts, seeking alternative service providers, and discontinuing some projects and services that were deemed to be too costly in comparison to the value provided. I also served on the Board's ad hoc Financial Goals Committee, which examined and made recommendations on a wide range of issues impacting the long-term financial stability of the District, including pension costs. I'm proud that this careful stewardship has resulted in annual levies that were flat or contained very modest increases. I'm also proud that as a member of the Personnel/Policy and Finance Committees, I've played a key role in ensuring that the District has an excellent staff that receives equitable compensation for the services they provide.Do you have a library card? How long have you had it? How often do you use it?I've had a Lisle Library District card since I moved into the District in 1990. I usually borrow library materials several times a month. In 2016, I checked out more than 225 items, mostly books.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.Like many libraries, the Lisle Library District has space challenges. Technology has changed the way patrons use our space, but it hasn't decreased the amount of space needed to serve them. For example, we've reduced the physical reference collection by replacing bulky, multi-volume books with on-line reference tools. However, technology such as public-use computers, scanners, and self-service terminals requires additional floor space. I can't presume to provide solutions for the District's space challenges on my own. Such decisions require additional assessment and significant input from residents. The District has reached the end of its current strategic plan. In preparation for a new strategic plan, we commissioned a professional space study and we're undertaking a major community engagement effort to obtain resident input. The space study established that our building is indeed being used at almost peak capacity, and there are no straightforward ways to make better use of the space. This is due in part to the building's awkward physical footprint, and to its aging infrastructure, which makes it difficult to accommodate new technology. The District's last major community engagement effort was conducted more than 20 years ago. Libraries have changed dramatically since then. The new engagement effort, which will be facilitated by an objective third-party, will obtain input from a broad segment of our residents. The community's priorities for the library will help shape the new strategic plan. Only then will there be definitive answers as to how the District will address its space challenges.What impact have economic and technological changes had on libraries? How does a library remain relevant? How should its role in the community change?Just as technology has changed the way people learn and work, it has also changed the way people use the library. In addition to using it as a resource for books and AV materials, community members of all ages now look to the library for a wide range of tools, programs, spaces, and instruction that enable them to explore and use information in new ways. One of the most important ways to remain relevant in light of these new demands is to maximize access to library resources. Residents can access the resources in the Lisle Library District's building seven days a week, and they can access our growing collection of online resources 24 hours a day from their homes, offices, and mobile devices. Another important way to remain relevant is by continuing to expand the community's access to current technology. Providing greater access to technology helps improve academic and job skills, and reduces the digital divide for community members who face economic challenges. The library's role also needs to change as the needs of individual segments of the population change. For example, the learning and enrichment needs of today's teens are significantly different than they were a decade ago. The District's services for young adults have evolved to meet those changing needs. The growing population of older adults has increased the demand for large-print books, assistive reading technology, and modified shelving. It's clear that public libraries continue to play a vital role in building strong communities.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?I'm gravely concerned that a small, yet extremely vocal, group of candidates and residents are engaged in a campaign to spread misinformation, half-truths - and in some cases out-right lies - in order to create a distorted view of Lisle Library District spending and the work of the current Board. I'm aware that one of this group's main goals is to slash the Lisle Library District budget, regardless of the needs and wishes of the majority of residents. Most people I've spoken with over the years believe our library is an important resource that provides good value for their tax dollars, and I believe this is the view of the great majority of residents. The Lisle Library District Board works hard to make that happen. We believe in good government, and use tax payer dollars carefully and conscientiously. We look at current needs, plan for long-term financial and operational stability, and allocate budget dollars accordingly. I think that long-term planning includes investing in physical plant and ensuring that the District has a fair and competitive salary scale so that it can attract and retain well-qualified staff. I encourage residents to question the malicious sniping from certain candidates and their supporters. I encourage residents to learn more about the complex issues involved in managing an effective District library. I also encourage everyone to remember that residents have a wide range of needs and priorities; programs and services that might seem unimportant to some residents are very important to many others.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Global education and human rights advocate Malala Yousafzai. Her efforts to promote nonviolent advocacy and international understanding in the face of brutal opposition are inspirational.What is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Do your least favorite chores first.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I would travel more, and try to spend more time enjoying the positive things in life and less time fretting over the misfortunes in life.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?English. A love of reading taught me to be a curious, life-long learner, and a love of writing provided the foundation for a satisfying career.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Focus on the good things in your life and the good in other people, and try to stay upbeat despite the inevitable difficulties you'll encounter.