Dana Hintz: Candidate profile

Bio

Name: Dana Hintz

City: Geneva

Office sought: Geneva Public Library Trustee

Age: 56

Family: Spouse: Tom Hintz, Adult Children: Teigh and Matthew Hintz

Occupation: Outreach Services Assistant, St. Charles Public Library

Education: Bachelor's Degree in Business and Commerce

Civic involvement: Scholarship Committee Auxiliary of Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage and Delnor Hospitals, Presidents Council Anderson Animal Shelter, Delnor Hospital Mental Health Outreach Team, Advocate for Youth Outlook serving the LBGT+ youth population

Previous elected offices held: N/A

Incumbent? If yes, when were you first elected? April 2015

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

As far as short-term objectives, the most important issue is implementation of an appropriate staffing model that will best serve the community in the new building. We will assure that we have the right people doing the right work in the most efficient and fiscally responsible manner. In the long term, it is important to be educated and embrace new industry trends especially in the area of technology and the libraries role in civic and social services in an effort to remain relevant so we can best serve the residents of Geneva.

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

I am running because I am passionate about the multitude of benefits libraries provide to the community at all ages and stages of life. For example, I believe in the lifelong learning opportunities libraries provide. In addition, not to only reading and digital literacy, libraries provide cultural experiences for community members, equal access to information, and spaces allowing for collaboration, making new connections, and sharing ideas with others. Overall, I believe the Geneva Public Library District has and will continue to have a positive educational, social, and economic effect greatly benefiting Geneva, encouraging community members to Discover, Inspire, and Grow.

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.

The Board in a unified effort over the last four years, has purchased land for a new building, been through a successful referendum securing funds for the new library, and has worked with municipal financial advisers, architects and owner's representative along with other strategic partners resulting in a new building for our community tentatively scheduled to open in 2019. Individually, as a staff member at a neighboring library, I am very knowledgeable of current trends affecting the industry, especially in the area of inclusion and serving underserved populations. For example, after attending an ILA conference, I requested we review our polices to ensure gender neutral language is incorporated and that we use appropriate gender-neutral language for all our resolutions and ordinances. In addition, I recommended staff training in an effort to better serve the LGTBQ+ population in our community to ensure inclusive efforts are made. I also requested and secured implementation of a consent agenda to streamline our Board meetings enabling our Board to get through routine business in a timely manner so there is productive dialogue and more time allocated to for non-routine business, such as the new building discussions and other factors shaping our future.

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

Yes, I have had a Geneva Public Library card for over 10 years. In addition to materials, I regularly use the electronic resources, research library databases, and attend a variety of Library programs.

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

Regarding technological changes, libraries are even more important today in this digital age. As technology changes and advances at great speed, libraries are at the forefront of digital literacy education, provide digital media resources, and instruction as to how to use equipment allowing equal access for all. Libraries have transformed and embraced technological changes through providing online learning resources, downloadable library books, music, and materials, as well as maker spaces and digital media labs for community members. Economic changes are eminent with the decrease in brick and mortar stores and increase in e-commerce. These changes again provide libraries an opportunity to transform their communities. For the business community libraries form strategic partnerships with local businesses and the Chamber of Commerce, provide business and printing resources, expertise, business workshops, and even an business center for those individuals who no longer have an space allocated for work. Another benefit from an economic standpoint is the increased foot traffic libraries provide. After a well attended program, community members will want to stroll down to 3rd street for some browsing, shopping, and to have lunch or dinner at one of Geneva's stellar local restaurants.