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Bijal Patel: Candidate Profile

Lombard 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: LombardWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Twitter: Candidate did not respond.Facebook: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Lombard Library Board Age: Candidate did not respond.Family: Candidate did not respond.Occupation: Candidate did not respond.Education: BS and MS, Computer ScienceCivic involvement: Pinebrook Homeowners' Assn PresidentPlum Library Policy Committee MemberElected 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 Board Trustee because I love our library and would like to expand my contributions to it. Also, as we embark on the expansion, I feel keeping controls on the expenses and milestones is paramount to a successful project. I am a PMP certified Project Manager and would like to employ my knowledge, skills, and experience on behalf of the Library. As a part of the Policy Committee, I have reviewed every Plum Library policy and have a thorough understanding of library operations.I have served on the Board of my Homeowners' Association (HOA) and have experience with working for the common good of the people whom I have been elected to represent. While I was President of the HOA Board, we were able to clarify the finances as well as provide a clear and correct budget to the homeowners. We also have built our reserves to make our Association financially stable.I hope to share this experience in fiscal responsibility and proven track record of accomplishing major task as we complete the improvements. I would like to ensure the project proceeds on time, on budget, and meets the community's needs. If we can do this, Helen Plum Library will be an invaluable part of building a stronger 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.Candidate did not respond.Do you have a library card? How long have you had it? How often do you use it?I have had my card for over 20 years and use it on average once a month.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 space issue for the Plum Library will be alleviated by the new building residents have approved. The challenge for us will be how to maximize the effectiveness of the new space.If needed, I support the removal of hard copies of rarely used books that are now available via audio and/or digital media. For books that have not yet been digitized, I would like our library to keep the book form to make sure they are available to the community.In addition, I would keep instructional books (e.g how-to books) in book form as some patrons may find them easier to use than electronic versions.Our goal should be able to keep a wide variety of information readily available and usable to residents. Where possible, using electronic version will reduce the space requirements while allowing the community access to a expansive range of materials.In addition, we can expand the reciprocity agreement with other libraries to expand the materials available through Helen Plum Library, without having to store them all locally.What impact have economic and technological changes had on libraries? How does a library remain relevant? How should its role in the community change?While some may argue that with the advent of the digital age, libraries are not need, I disagree. Libraries are integral to creating a life long love of reading. Exposure to books at an early age can help do this. With the incorporation of eBooks into the catalog, libraries have continued to keep the written word accessible to communities in the latest formats.Also, with the increased focus on "going green", libraries provide an invaluable service by reducing the amount of paper needed through the sharing of printed resources.Finally, the reference staff of the library provide an invaluable service to people looking to research a topic. While the access to online information is vast, if you are not sure where to get started, being able to visit your local library and get a pointer or two is priceless.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?I feel that ensuring full input from the community is obtained and incorporated into the plans for the new Plum Library is an integral part of the success of the expansion project. While the referendum was approved, there is a significant portion of the Village that was not in favor of the expenditure. We need to make sure their concerns are addressed in the work plans. In this way, we will ensure our new Library is appreciated by *all* Lombardians.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Pope FrancisWhat is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Perform your duty without expectation of reward.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I would have pursued being a journalist a bit longer.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?Mathematics was my favorite subject - it came in handy when I decided to go into computer science.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Be true to yourself.