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Kristina McCauley: Candidate Profile

Bensenville library

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:BioKey IssuesQA Bio City: BensenvilleWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Bensenville libraryAge: 37Family: Married, two children: Jessica, age 11; Liam, age 10Occupation: EducatorEducation: Bachelor of Arts in History and Certificate in Secondary Education, Elmhurst College 2005. Masters of Education in Reading and Literacy, Benedictine University 2012.Civic involvement: School Board Member, Holy Family Catholic School 2007-2010; Council of Catholic Women, St. Charles Borromeo 2006-present.Elected offices held: Trustee, Bensenville Community Public Library, 2005-presentHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 I plan to ensure that the Bensenville Community Public Library will continue to provide quality services and programming to our patrons and our community, in the face of funding issues and changing technology.Key Issue 2 I will continue to strive for an increase in library funding through federal, state and local means.Key Issue 3 Candidate did not respond.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 continue my efforts to make the library a viable asset to the residents of Bensenville. With our society's ever-increasing demands for literacy, higher education, and technological know-how, it is important that our residents have the edge they need to succeed. A strong library is the foundation for the educational and social successes of its community, providing the knowledge, the technology and the support needed in life's endeavors.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.Over the past six years, I have dedicated myself to the success of the library. I have worked to obtain funding, programming and technology that would help make the library the cornerstone of our diverse community, now and into the future.I began a program in 2006 that I am extremely proud of: The yearly ""Bensenville Reads"" program. Each year, the staff of the library picks a book for the whole community to read. Usually it is a book that is appropriate for adults and young adults alike. The community reads the book, attends scheduled book discussions and other activities throughout the year, and in the spring, the author visits the library and the schools to give a speech/presentation. This program is very important to me because it helps readers both young and old to feel connected to the author, connected to the library, and most importantly, connected to their community. I suggested the first author for our program, Marion Blumenthal Lazan, whom I had heard speak about her book just the year before. Since 2006, we have had a total of 5 delightful authors come to Bensenville to share their books, and their lives with us.Do you have a library card? How long have you had it? How often do you use it?I have had a library card all my life as I have spent much time within the walls of a library, feeding my love of knowledge. I obtained a library card in Bensenville when I moved here with my husband in 1997. I visit the library with my children about every two weeks, and we use our cards on each visit.Space is usually an issue at 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 is not an issue at the Bensenville Library. Our staff has done a wonderful job weaving together both old and new technology in a way that make neither more important than the other. While computers have become an integral part of our society, the love of reading and the lifelong pursuit of knowledge is critical to attain success in all facets of life. The Bensenville Library constantly reminds us of this with their passion to include reading in the lives of the community.What impact have economic and technological changes had on libraries? How does a library remain relevant? How should its role in the community change?The Bensenville Library has not had a tax increase since 1972. As technology evolves and becomes more relevant in our lives, the library has struggled to keep up. Throughout the years, the Library Board has sought ways to increase funding through referendums and other means in order to provide the services needed for an ever-changing society. Despite the lack of funding and other obstacles, it is in this way that our library remains relevant: the Board and the staff are acutely aware of the needs of our patrons. What we might lack in cutting edge technology, we have always made up for in service and dedication to our community. From resume assistance and faxing, to computer classes on blogging, eBay or Excel and everything in between, the Bensenville Library has changed with the times and has always offered the community what it needs. The needs of the community are why a library's role within that community should never change. The library always has, and always will stand as a beacon of lifelong learning within its community. It is up to the Board Members to ensure the library remains relevant in its programming and technology, and stands ready to offer the opportunity for personal betterment to everyone who walks through its doors.