Thomas Hummel: Candidate profile

Bio

Name: Thomas Hummel

City: Lisle

Office sought: Lisle Library District Trustee

Age: 44

Family: Single

Occupation: Accountant

Education: B.A. in Accounting and Business Administration, Clarke University, 1997

Civic involvement: Kiwanis Club of Lisle (2015-Current), President (2018 - Current); Co-coordinator of 2018 and 2019 Downtown Lisle Car Shows; Operation Support Our Troops, volunteer (2015 - Current); Eyes To The Skies, volunteer (2016 - Current); Meadows Homeowners Association, President (2018 - Current)

Previous elected offices held: Current Lisle Library Trustee (2013-Current), Vice President (2017 - Current)

Incumbent: If yes, when were first elected? 2013

Website: N/A

Facebook: www.facebook.com/FirstFourForLisleLibraryBoard

Twitter: N/A

Issue questions

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

Implementing the Strategic Plan objectives that we recently adopted will be the most important issue in the next three years. Enhancing the Youth Services Department resources is key as well as technology access for all and upgrading IT infrastructure.

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

To continue to provide the community resources, materials, and programs they expect from their public library in fiscally responsible manner. My other motivation is to ensure that the Strategic Plan goals are met.

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.

My biggest contribution has been leading the charge for lowering taxes, while maintaining strong library services. This has resulted in cutting the levy for two years in a row. The Library decreased the tax levy last year by over 10% and did it again for this coming year by 5% (taxpayers will see that cut in their property tax bill, later this year). I've also worked with the Kiwanis Club of Lisle to coordinate donations to the Library the past two years. In 2017, it was sensory toys for Youth Services and most recently, the Kiwanis Club donated a wheelchair for patrons who may need assistance. I also helped coordinate Library staff to connect with the West Suburban Community Pantry staff to bring free lunches for students this past summer. I've been Vice President of the Board and Chairman of the Physical Plant Committee since June 2017. I'm also a member of the Personnel Policy Committee and Strategic Plan Committee. Upon joining the board, one of my biggest goals was to implement video recording of all board and committee meetings and that goal was accomplished in 2018.

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

Yes, since I moved to Lisle in 1988 when I was in the 8th Grade. Honestly, I wasn't using it that much until I got on the Library Board and started to come to the Library more often. Now, I use it somewhat frequently - my goal is to read a book every month or two.

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 public library is more relevant than ever. Millennials are using the library more and more and during these economically dynamic times, the library provides access to computers, job searching classes, resources for small business owners, and much more. Collaborative space is also key as educational institutions are increasing that type of learning. The Library supplements our children's education. Additionally, the Library provides our senior population with instruction to keep up with the speed of today's technology.