Lee Maternowski: 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: Elk Grove VillageWebsite: NoneTwitter: Candidate did not respond.Facebook: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Elk Grove Village Library Board Age: 73Family: DaughterOccupation: Retired, EGV Public Library, DirectorEducation: BA. 1969 U of Wis -- Milw. EnglishMA. 1970 U of Wis -- Madison. EnglishMLS. 1975 U of Wis -- Milw. Library ScienceCivic involvement: Wis Army National Guard, 1964-70Elk Grove Kiwanis, c. 1995-2005Member Queen of the Rosary ParishElected offices held: NoneQuestions 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?1) Generally, to give back to the community. 2) Specifically, to serve as a resource person to the Library based on 38+ years of experience there, the final 18 as Director. I plan to continue my long term Library mission to provide friendly, helpful, efficient service along with continual planning and improvement.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 vast experience working at the Library, especially as Director, I will be able to provide specific perspectives on various issues such as bargaining with the Union, personnel matters, or larger concerns such as the overlap between the EGV and Schaumburg libraries.Based on 2013 data, Library Journal deemed the Elk Grove Library as a "3 Star" library in its 2015 ratings.Do you have a library card? How long have you had it? How often do you use it?Yes. Weekly, either at Elk Grove or at several other area libraries. This practice gives insights as to what other libraries are doing. I spend 3 hours every other week at EGVPL and speak at length with the Director and staff about Library issues on those visits.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 Elk Grove Library has recently put aside an idea to build a second floor, but is in the process of adding meeting rooms by subtracting from the book stack area. Similarly, in the past we erected a Computer Room in that same area that had been Fiction.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 Computer has had a profound influence on the Library. Starting in 1997 we cabled the Library and installed the Internet. New policies and practices and staff were required. The role of providing Reference Information was altered by more and more use of databases with less and less use of printed material. Library users also required help in using computers, thus requiring staff to have the expertise to assist them. Many ponderous print reference materials were replaced with computerized versions. With the development of home computers, the Library subscribes to many informational, educational, and entertainment data bases that can be accessed at home. (I regularly use Mango Languages.) I regularly held planning sessions at the Library at which the Library's role in the community was regularly examined. The current room expansion is one result of this. I support the Library's intended support of the "Maker" initiative of the Village and would support the Library investigating a possible involvement with the Village's new ENCLAVE plan which is seen as a resource for business. The Educational role of the Library cannot be overstated. The Youth Dept. plays an inestimable role in promoting the joys of reading to children. The Youth book collection is acknowledged as one of the best.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?With the universal use of on-line services such as GOOGLE, students are using these platforms almost exclusively for their research. This is fine as long as it is realized that there is a mass of mis-information on the Internet. The Library and its staff can serve as an Oasis of Verity in the midst of a desert of "alternate facts." The staff is trained in obtaining factual information, and the books and commercial databases used by the Library practice editorial control.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Bernie SandersWhat is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Study and work hardIf life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?To have learned more of the manual arts I had in school -- woodwork, welding, foundry.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?English and Math. Former led to a career in libraries; the latter allowed me to serve in the Fire Direction section of my artillery unit.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Do your best every day and always be considerate of others.