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Jeanette Stanonik: Candidate profile

Bio

Name: Jeanette Stanonik

City: Lake Zurich

Office sought: Ela Area Public Library Board Trustee

Age: 67

Family: My husband and I have three grown daughters who were raised here in Lake Zurich.

Occupation: I am a retired educator who taught 36 years in the Lake Zurich Public School System.

Education: I hold a Bachelor's Degree in Education from Trinity International University in Deerfield. My Master's Degree in Early Childhood is from National Louis University in Evanston.

Civic involvement: I am currently on the Ela Area Public Library Board of Trustees.

Previous elected offices held: none

Incumbent? If yes, when were you first elected? In July of 2017 I was appointed to the Library Board by the Ela Area Public Library Board of Trustees.

Website:

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Issue questions

What are the most important issues facing your library district and how do you intend to address them?

Although we already make good use of social media, the Library should continue to explore new, creative ways to get the word out to the public about what our Library has to offer. The Library is a treasure trove of opportunities to learn, discover, recharge, and relax. Our residents need to realize that we are not JUST about physical books. As a Board we need to maintain fiscal responsibility in this time of higher taxes. It's important to offer high quality programs and media and strive to find cost effective solutions to problems. We must make sure we are transparent in our dealings.

Why are you running for office? Is there a particular issue that motivates you? If so, what is it?

I love our Library! There are so many exciting materials, activities, and programs being offered at our Library. I wish to support and encourage the staff by continuing to serve on the Board. During my time in office, I have taken a special interest in the Outreach Programs. Among many other responsibilities, the staff members on this team often deliver materials to patrons who are not able to personally come into our building. They present book discussions and programs at local facilities. I'd love to see their department continue to expand in the ways they serve. I would also like to enhance our patrons' view of the Library. In addition to providing materials, the Library should be seen as a place where community can gather to learn, discover, connect and SERVE. "Library League" volunteers meet on a monthly basis to work on projects that "give back" to different organizations such as Linus Project. I appreciate the fact that our Library works very hard to engage the community. There are often joint partnerships with the other local organizations. I'm thinking of recent programs co-sponsored with Ela Township 55 Plus. Additionally, several of the Departments worked with a local Girl Scout troop planting bulbs in the patio garden. I would like to encourage more of that sort of involvement.

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.

I have only been on the Board since July of 2017, but at our Board meetings I've highlighted some of the programs and events I've attended. I've also shared some of the interactions I've had with patrons and experiences I've had shadowing members of the Outreach Team on several of their deliveries. Hopefully, my enthusiasm for the Library as a whole is evident.

Do you have a library card? How long have you had it? How often do you use it?

I've had an Ela Library card since moving to Lake Zurich in 1979. Everyone in our family of 5 had his or her own card. On an average, I make my way to the Library once a week.

What impact have economic and technological changes had on libraries? How does a library remain relevant? How should its role in the community change?

Our Library does a fabulous job of identifying and providing for various interests and needs of patrons of all ages, abilities, cultures and ethnicities. Our staff is not afraid to experiment and think outside the box. Podcasts, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter are some useful tools A goal is to constantly evaluate how we can offer better and up-to-date technology to serve the public. We remain relevant by offering a wide variety of materials, programs, and services. There's something for everyone who comes in the doors. Considering all it has to offer, we need to make the public aware that their Public Library is a real bargain!

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