Julie Wroblewski Bosshart: Candidate profile

Bio

Name: Julie Wroblewski Bosshart

City: Schaumburg

Office sought: Schaumburg Township District Library Trustee

Age: 47

Family: I have been married to my husband, John Bosshart, for 22 years. I am the mother of three children aged 14, 16, & 18.

Occupation: Senior Accountant / CPA

Education: Bachelors degree in Accountancy with honors from the University of Illinois in Champaign/Urbana.

Civic involvement: My husband and I serve breakfast at a local PADs shelter once a month. I am a Eucharistic minister at my church. Previously, I was a Girl Scout leader, the community service chair for my son's Cub Scout pack, and a school library volunteer. Before my current office, I was on the St. Hubert School Advisory Board and served on the Citizens Input Committee at the Schaumburg library.

Previous elected offices held: Schaumburg Township District Library Trustee

Incumbent? If yes, when were you first elected? Yes. In 2011.

Website:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JulieWroblewskiBosshartforSchaumburgLibrary

Twitter:

Issue questions

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

The central library is approximately 20 years old and is highly utilized by the public. The central library was opened in 1998, followed by the Hoffman Estates branch in 2002 and the Hanover Park branch in 2006. We have prioritized the maintenance of these facilities but major repairs like a new roof and HVAC will need to be addressed in the near future. Over time, the spaces will continue to need to be renovated to reflect the current ways that the public uses the library. A few years ago, the library opened The Commons area which included a renovated audiovisual area and lobby entrance. It added much needed seating and casual meeting areas for patrons and opened up the floor plan. I expect similar renovations in other areas of the library, including the second floor. With careful planning, we do not expect to ask for additional funding from the public for facility maintenance and improvements but instead have planned for the future with reserves in our Building & Equipment Special Reserve Fund while remaining debt free and not incurring any future pension obligations. I am committed to the fiscally responsible use of resources to maintain our facilities, materials, and services.

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

As a library trustee, I have assisted the board in shaping the library's role in our community and creating the library of the future. I feel that my finance and accounting background is very helpful to assist the board with budget and financial issues. I am the only current board member to represent families with school age children. As long-serving board members have retired and new members have been elected, I believe my experience will continue to be helpful to the board. I want to see the library facilities well-maintained and renovated in a way that will protect the community's investment and meet the needs of the community. I am a frequent library user, and I am proud of the excellent library staff and the innovative ways in which the library serves patrons.

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 served in leadership roles on the board, first for a few years as Treasurer, then as Vice President/Secretary, and most recently for two years as President. In my years on the board, we have approved balanced budgets, paid off our debt, and maintained the high level of quality services and hours that our residents expect. The library has hosted multiple naturalization ceremonies, and it was my pleasure to serve as keynote speaker and to welcome many new citizens. We celebrated the Schaumburg Library's 50th Anniversary, and we also opened the high tech Teen Place on the 2nd floor of the library. More recently, we opened The Commons, a remodel of the lobby and audiovisual area, which has given the library a modern feel. As President, when Executive Director Stephanie Sarnoff announced her retirement, I assisted the board in organizing and conducting a search for a new Executive Director. Monica Harris was named Executive Director in 2017. I am so pleased with her leadership and vision for the library. My continued focus will be on advancing the library in a fiscally responsible manner, maintaining and improving facilities, and continuing to offer both traditional and innovative materials and programs to the public.

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

As a lifelong Schaumburg Township resident, I have held a library card since my parents took me to the library as a child which helped foster my love of reading. As a mother, I enjoyed bringing my children to the library when they were young and now encourage them to read and study at the library. My daughter and I completed the Winter Challenge by reading or listening to five books. I've recently made recipes for my family from library cookbooks and planned a family vacation with travel books from the library. I've also used library research databases through the library website. As part of a book club, we utilize Book Club in a Bag for our discussion selections. In the past few months at the library, I attended a college prep program, created a winter container garden, and listened to an art history lecture. A library card is such a valuable item to have - I use mine frequently!

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 is no longer just a place where you go to find materials to check out. Instead patrons may come to the library to work on their laptop, to meet a friend or colleague, or to attend a program. Library materials can be accessed remotely through the library website, including e-books, e-audiobooks, and research databases. The library may even come to you through pop up events and events at nursing homes and other places in the community. The library staff have introduced innovative larger scale events that involved the community including the NEA Big Read. The library has discussion and meeting rooms that are well utilized by groups in the community. Librarians are able to connect patrons with excellent resources when questions arise. The Schaumburg Township District Library is a bridge to your future. I encourage residents to make the most of the resources that are available to them.