Robert Frankel: 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: SchaumburgWebsite: http://noneOffice sought: Schaumburg Township Library Board (4-year Terms)Age: 75Family: Married, 3 children 5 grandchildrenOccupation: retiredEducation: B.A. University of Illinois 1958, M.B.A.University of Chicago 1960Civic involvement: Member, Board of Trustees Schaumburg Township District Library since 1977 and currently serving as President Member, Budget Review Committee, School District 54 Senior Volunteer School District 54 working with students 4 days, 16 hours a week,Elected offices held: Trustee, Schaumburg Township District LibraryHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 To always provide the best possible library services and programs for the community and always at the lowest possible cost to the taxpayer. Good enough will never be good enough for us.Key Issue 2 To continue to set and maintain library policies and operations which benefit our patrons while keeping politics out of the library.Key Issue 3 To always look to reduce costs incurred in providing the best library services. We have not asked for zero increase in taxes for the past two years. To operate responsibly as a Board setting policy but not interfering in the operations of the 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?To help insure that the Schaumburg Township District Library remains a 5 star library recognized as on the finest public libraries in the U.S.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.There have been too many initiatives I've led during the past 35+ years to list.Do you have a library card? How long have you had it? How often do you use it?I have had a library card since 1974 and use this card several times weekly.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.We have already significantly reduced the size of our periodical collection since most can be purchased on disk. Much of the space for our new Teen Place, 6,000 sq.ft. came from this space saving. We do no anticipate any expansion of the physical plant at the main or branch librariesWhat impact have economic and technological changes had on libraries? How does a library remain relevant? How should its role in the community change?I believe that the Schaumburg Township District Library is currently the most technologically advanced public library in the U.S. Our new Teen Place has the most cutting edge technology including a production studio, sound mixing, multi-computer white screen.