Gary Brenniman: 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:BioQA Bio City: LombardWebsite: Helen Plum Library BoardOffice sought: Candidate did not respond.Age: 72Family: A wife (Kathy), 2 children and 4 grandchildren.Occupation: Retired UIC ProfessorEducation: B.S. and M.S Central Michigan University M.P.H and PhD University of MichiganCivic involvement: Village of Lombard Environmental Concerns Committee (1 year) District 87 Student Performance and Achievement Committee(2 years) Helen Plum Library Trustee(10 years)Elected offices held: 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 am running for re-election to the Lombard Helen Plum Library Board because this gives me an opportunity to give back something to a community I have lived in for over 40 years. I am particularly interested in working with our new library director, Barbara Kruser, and our new Board on space issues, expanding the library's technology, and connecting better with our community.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 an incumbent, over the past four years, I have served the Library Board as Vice-President and as chair of the Director Relations Committee and the Audit Committee. As a retired university professor, I bring experience dealing with budgets, interacting with committee members, and problem solving.Do you have a library card? How long have you had it? How often do you use it?I had a library card for many years while my children were going to school. The past ten years that I have been on the Library Board, I have had a library card. I use the card when needed, and I also spend time in the library using library materials.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 current Helen Plum Library was built in 1963 with an addition constructed in 1978. Space has been an issue for many years. In 2004, the Library Board put a referendum on the ballot for construction of a new library. That referendum did not pass. Since then, the library has reduced parts of its collection because of technological advances, which has resulted in better use of space in the library. However, this has not solved the library's space issues. With the introduction of more programming and increased library use, the library needs more space. The Library Board is currently discussing the space issue by deciding on an addition to the current building or construction of a new library. I am in support of expanding the library space. An expansion will help to encourage new families to move to Lombard and will improve library services.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 major impact that economic and technological changes have had on libraries is that libraries have had to reduce their collections and provide expansion of their digital offerings, technological assistance, and PC alternatives for patron internet access. By doing this, libraries will remain relevant. The library's role in the community should change by improving its visibility, by expanding ESL (English as a Second Language)and world language services, by partnering with community organizations, by creating and fostering a community of readers, and by increasing the number of registered library card holders.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?After serving ten years on the Lombard Library Board, I am running for another term because I feel we need a good mix of new and relatively new Board members with experienced Board members. It is this combination that results in an effective and successful Board.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Candidate did not respond.What's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Candidate did not respond.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?Candidate did not respond.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?Candidate did not respond.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Candidate did not respond.