ERNEST KOSTY: Candidate Profile

Back to Wauconda Library Board 4-year term

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: WAUCONDAWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Wauconda Library Board 4-year term Age: 83Family: WIDOWER IN 9/29/10. 5 GROWN CHILDREN AND 8 GRANDCHILDRENOccupation: RETIREDEducation: B.S.IND MGMT, LAWRENCE INST OF TECH, DETROIT,MI 1953 M.B.A., WAYNE STATE UNIVERSITY. DETROIT, MI, 1965Civic involvement: PAST MEMBER WAUCONDA ZONING BOARD MEMBER OF LAKEPOINTE HOA BOARD, WAUCONDA. IL PAST MEMBER OF BARRINGTON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE,APPEARANCE REVIEW COMMITTEEElected offices held: PRESIDENT(TWICE) AND TREASURER(TWICE) OF WAUCONDA AREA DISTRICT LIBRARY PAST TREASURER OF LAKEPOINTE HOA BOARD ADVOCATE OFFICER OF KC QUEEN OF PEACE COUNCIL, TRANSFIGURATION PARISHQuestions 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?AS A CURRENT BOARD MEMBER, I HAVE A CONTINUING INTEREST IN PLANNING FOR THE LIBRARY'S FUTURE ADVANCEMENTS, ASSURING THE FINANCIAL HEALTH OF LIBRARY BOARD ACTIONS, MONITORING LIBRARY OPERATIONAL RESULTS AND TECHNOLOGY PLANNING. WAUCONCA, AS WELL ALL OTHER LIBRARIES, WILL BE CHALLENGED BY THE IMPACT OF THE MOVE INTO THE DIGITAL WORLD. THE GROWTH IN E BOOKS AND MOBILE DEVICES WILL LIKELY REDUCE THE VOLUME OF BOOKS CARRIED,THE LIBRARY WILL LIKELY FILL THE NEED FOR EDUCATIONAL AND SOCIAL EVENTS TO SERVICE OUR YOUTH, ADULTS AND SENIORS.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.HAVING JOINED THE BOARD IN 1999, I FIRST CONCENTRATED ON IMPROVING THE FINANCIAL REPORTING TO THE BOARD REGARDING ACTUAL RESULTS VS BUDGET TARGETS. THIS CONTRIBUTION CONTINUES TO THIS DATE. ALSO, I WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN RECOMMENDING UNDERSTANDABLE WORDING OF A TAX REFERENDUM WHICH WAS PASSED BY THE VOTERS. AND, OF COURSE, ATTENDING THE MONTHLY BOARD MEETINGS OVER THE YEARS PROVIDING COUNSEL TO THE DIRECTOR AND LIBRARY STAFF IS AN IMPORTANT CONTRIBUTION.Do you have a library card? How long have you had it? How often do you use it?YES. SINCE 1997 WHEN WE MOVED TO WAUCONDA FROM BARRINGTON. ON A REGULAR BASIS FOR BOOKS, DVDS AND E BOOKS. I ALSO USE THE LIBRARY WEBSITE TO MONOITOR MY ACCOUNT AND RESERVE OFFERINGS.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 LIBRARY IS IN THE PROCESS OF A SIGNICANT PROJECT TO IMPROVE THE SERVICES TO OUR VISITORS. OUR INVENTORY OF MATERIALS FOR CHECKOUT IS REVIEWED REGULARLY. OFFSITE STORAGE OF BOOKS REMOVED IS AN ONGOING ACTIVITY. WE HAVE ADEQUATE SPACE AT THE CURRENT TIME.What impact have economic and technological changes had on libraries? How does a library remain relevant? How should its role in the community change?WITH THE ECONOMIC DOWNTURN, THE LIBRARY HAD A SLIGHT DECLINE IN VISITORS AND USAGE. TO COMBAT THIS DECLINE, LIBRARY MGMT AND STAFF HAVE VISITED OUR LOCAL SCHOOLS AND LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS TO ENCOURAGE LIBRARY USAGE AND ATTENDANCE FOR VARIOUS EVENTS AND PROGRAMS. OUR NEW ELECTRONIC MESSAGE BOARD (FUNDED BY THE FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY) SERVES TO ALERT THE COMMUNITY OF LIBRARY ACTIVITIES AND INFORMATION. OUR CONSTANT EVALUATION OF TECHNICAL DEVELOPMENTS FOR LIBRARIES ASSURES OUR USERS OF THE LATEST DEVICES BEING MADE AVAILABLE (SUBJECT TO BUDGET CONSTRAINTS). WITH THIS TYPE OF COMMITTMENT, OUR LIBRARY SHOULD REMAIN RELEVANT TO THE COMMUNITY. FRANKLY, THE LIBRARY CAN BE A GATHERING PLACE FOR THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE. THE FRIENDS HAVE SPONSORED ANNUAL EVENTS WHICH THE COMMUNITY HAS REALLY SUPPORTED.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?THERE ARE A FEW. THE MAINTENACE OF CAPABLE TRAINED STAFF, COMPETITIVE COMPENSATION, UP TO DATE TECHNOLOGY, AND THE PRESENCE OF AN ATTRACTIVE FACILITY AND WORK ENVIRONMENT IS PARAMOUNT.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Mark Kirk, Republication Senator, IL. His overcoming a serious illness and dedication to serve the people is to be a model for all of us.What's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Taking personal responsibility for your actions.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?More attention to personal relationships improvement.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?Writing and speaking. Good foundation in both was very helpful as a systems analyst and management consultant.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Strive to excel in all activities that you undertake.