Maddalena Sparacio: Candidate Profile

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: Wood DaleWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Wood Dale Library Board (4-year Terms)Age: 55Family: Married, 3 childrenOccupation: High School Media Center Computer Lab AideEducation: Bachelor of Arts in Spanish, Elmhurst CollegeCivic involvement: Holy Ghost Church choir member and various other community events.Elected offices held: Wood Dale Public Library District Board Trustee, 2005-Present,Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Making our community aware and keeping them updated of all the activities, events, and information that the Wood Dale Public Library District has to offer to the community.Key Issue 2 Candidate did not respond.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 have been involved with libraries for a long time. I worked for the Bensenville Public Library on a part-time basis for 30 years. My children grew up at the public library. I initially decided to run so that I could be more involved with the behind the scenes portion of how a library functions. I have always believed that libraries are more than buildings with books and feel strongly that a library provides a solid backbone to a community as a learning, social, and technological center that our patrons and community members need to be aware of and have access to. Some people in the community may not have the financial means to access the internet on a regular basis. They may need to job hunt or take an ESL class, or need educational info on colleges. The library has this information and technology available for them to use. The key is to get families and children acquainted early on so that they will feel at home and comfortable using the resources.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 special contributions you could make.I am currently the Secretary of our Library Board District. As a member of the library board, there are ongoing decisions on all aspects of the library including the building, grounds, personnel, and programming. I contribute by adding my ideas in the decision making process. We hold many events and programs which I am proud to participate in and be involved with.Do you have a library card? How long have you had it? How often do you use it?Yes, I have a library card and I use it weekly. I've been a WDPL library patron for twenty-five years.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.Fortunately, that's not the case at WDPL. We have the building next door to the library which "houses" a few of our staff offices, and is also used for programming which is a real asset to our community. With this additional facility, more space is available for patron usage in the main building.What impact have economic and technological changes had on libraries? How does a library remain relevant? How should its role in the community change?Community libraries need to stay updated with technology and have adequate and varied programming for their patrons. With the technology of digitalization of books throughout the country, our resource base for sharing information can be greatly expanded . It is very beneficial to have good relationships with our school districts and other governing bodies as well. A cooperative effort enhances the resources that the library has to offer to the community. I see the library's future as a center for continual lifelong learning where technology is utilized to share information and increase knowledge in order to stay competitive with the outside world. The library is also a location where people in the community gather for common interests, such as Scouts, Garden Club, Book Clubs, GED Prep, etc. Furthermore, traditional Toddler storytimes will continue to be an appreciated service. It is pertinent that libraries are open to all types of people that have a supportive, educated, and caring staff.