Jean Bednar: Candidate Profile

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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: ElginWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Gail Borden Library Board Age: 54Family: My husband and I moved to Elgin six months after we were married and have lived in the same house on the east side ever since. We raised our two boys here, who both attended U-46 schools and spent many hours at the library. My oldest son graduated from Berklee College of Music in Boston and lives in Boston now. My youngest son is Vice President of his class at Lake Forest College where he is a sophomore.Occupation: Director of Communications, Brethren Benefit TrustEducation: Bachelor of Arts, English University of UtahCivic involvement: Gifford Park Association Lifetime member Gail Borden Public Library Foundation Gail Borden Public Library Board of Trustees Volunteer - PADS of ElginElected offices held: President, Gail Borden Public Library Board of TrusteesQuestions 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 because I have enjoyed serving on the library board for ten years. I don't have a single issue that I focus on in terms of this service. I have great regard for our library and for libraries in general and what they offer citizens, which is a vast array of goods and services. I would have to say I am enthusiastic about everything the library has to offer.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.As a Trustee, I feel my main job is to represent the library in a professional manner, whether that means being a good steward, pursuing professional development on library issues, or being an ambassador for the library when I am out in the community. I want the library to continue to be well-run, to be a quality attraction for our district, and a place that serves its members and visitors in the best way possible. My contribution is that I make time to discuss important issues with the staff, I stick to the business at hand in the public meetings, and I try to lead the board with calm and clarity. I don't have an agenda and I try to serve the library with discernment. When I am involved in initiatives there, it is because I see a need and I am happy to help. I don't need to be commended; I am happy to give the staff all the recognition they deserve. They have made Gail Borden the award-winning library that it is.Do you have a library card? How long have you had it? How often do you use it?I've had a library card since I moved to Elgin in 1988. I have always used it regularly, although lately my husband actually picks up most things at the library. But we always have something from Gail Borden at our house!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.The answer to that issue is both - sort of. Libraries are no longer giant brick buildings holding row after row of books. In some cases, expansion is necessary because the space is needed for people rather than books. The meeting rooms at GBPL are a hot commodity. Some of the programs offered at the library are full to overflow. And, as some collections phase out (VCR tapes and CDs for instance) other things are necessary (more computers and other electronic devices). Gail Borden library has art displays, a digital media lab as part of Studio 270 for teens, the River room, a used book sale room, a computer center, interactive displays, a cafe, and traveling educational exhibits, to name just a few non-traditional uses of space, and all of which are used regularly by library patrons.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 library of the 21st century has evolved into a vibrant community center. It is a place where people gather to meet, to learn, to be entertained, to study, to have access to computers and other electronic devices, to practice a language, to get help with finding a job, to get help with their taxes, to watch art and science being "performed," to discuss hobbies, to learn crafts, to see Clifford the Big Red Dog or a famous paleontologist, to vote in an election, and even to speak to an astronaut in space. We are lucky that our staff always has the needs of the community in mind and is ready and willing to adapt and change as the nature of the library's role has evolved over the years. I don't need to imagine how the library's role in the community should change - I've watched it happen over the past 10 years as a board member, and I'm proud of how well our library has provided for its patrons.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?Being involved with our library for the past decade, I've had the chance to hear from many other trustees across the state and country, and read articles about other libraries that struggle. Leadership in a library is important. I want our library to continue to foster staff members who maintain a level of excellence in everything they do to represent the library, and to continue to have a board that acts with the best interest of the library patrons and the district.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Deborah Perryman, Environmental Science teacher at Elgin High, inspires me.What's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?My parents taught me to pay my own way in life, no matter how painful or how much sacrifice is involved.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I would make sure my sister didn't play in that basketball game.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?All my English Lit classes, because reading all those wonderful books continues to help me with everything I ever need to know.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Practice tolerance in all you do.