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Gene LeFave: Candidate Profile

Antioch Library Board

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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: AntiochWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Antioch Library Board Age: 65Family: My wife, Kathy, and I have two sons Ryan and Ross.Occupation: President, Tek Data SystemsEducation: BS Electrical Engineering from University of Illinois.Civic involvement: Served on the Antioch Library Board for most of the last 25 years. Currently an active member of PML theatre. Also, during the winter months, an active member of the Wilmot Ski Patrol.Elected offices held: Antioch Library Trustee.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 believe that Antioch is fortunate to have one of the finest libraries around. I like to think that I've been a part of this, and I hope to continue to serve.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 long worked with library technology in libraries across the country, I want to continue to bring my expertise to my own library. With computers, communications digital materials and classes on how to access it all, the Antioch Library is a great place to learn and connect with the world!Do you have a library card? How long have you had it? How often do you use it?We moved to Antioch 27 years ago and picked up our library cards a few days later. Our boys participated in library program as they grew up, and it's still a rare week that doesn't see me at the library.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.We last expanded our library 15 years ago. Since that time our patrons have enjoyed ever increasing access to new technology. As our collection and population grow I think we will need to consider doing both. Always depending, of course, on the availability of funds.What impact have economic and technological changes had on libraries? How does a library remain relevant? How should its role in the community change?At Antioch I think we have managed our finances in a way to address the needs and desires of our patrons and taxpayers. We pay very careful attention to our patrons' needs and wishes and go to great effort to keep our collection and resources relevant.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?As state and federal governments keep expanding I fear they will focus their attention on the nations libraries. I'd like to see us retain as much local control of our library as possible. I believe we can do a far better job for our taxpayers than they can.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Sorry, not a very inspiring bunch.What's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Work hard, study hard and play hard.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?Take our family on another ski vacation.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?Math. If you want to understand how the world works, you need to speak the language it's written in.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Your parents are eventually right.