Nathan Johnson: Candidate profile

Bio

Name: Nathan Johnson

City: Vernon Hills

Office sought: Trustee - Cook Memorial Public Library

Age: 49

Family: Wife and two children.

Occupation: IT/Programmer

Education: B.S. in Mathematics, UIUC

Civic involvement: Cook Memorial Public Library board of trustees since 2010.

Incumbent? Yes. I was appointed to fill a vacancy in 2010. I was first elected in 2011

Issue questions

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

My top long term goal has been to responsibly expand the Aspen Drive location. Having secured approval of the Village Board recently (7-0), my near term goals will be the building of the new addition as well as coordinating library usage through the construction period, and looking at technology offerings, such as the Go-Pro camera and Roku stick that are available for borrowing, and Maker Space devices (3-D printing, sewing machines, vinyl cutters) that will be available on site at each location.

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

Several times in my years on the board, I have found myself the only board member from Vernon Hills. While working to benefit the whole district, I have also made sure that the board did not fall into the pattern of out-of-sight, out-of-mind, and allow the parts of the district that they visited less often be overlooked.

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 long term goal has been the expansion of the Aspen Drive location, which opened in 2010. We have now received approval form the Vernon Hills board, in a 7-0 vote. I have also worked on the Technology Committee to encourage adoption of new technologies for patron use, and to help plan for technologies we may adopt, and have been on the Policy committee, reviewing and updating library policies as circumstances and public needs change.

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

I have had my card since the first weeks when I moved into the district about 18 years ago. I use it frequently, both for online resources like Hoopla and OverDrive, and when visiting one of the library locations, generally 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?

There has been a noticeable shift to more electronic borrowing of materials, which alters some of the collection development. Some areas, such as popular music are more likely to be affected, but areas like children's collections are likely to remain mostly physical books in print. It is also important to remember that the library users are not just those with the latest electronic gear who can download audiobooks and movies. That said, a library is more than a set of books. The Library's resources include computers and technology, to help cardholders learn, find jobs and connect with others in the community and the world. The Library is a gathering place, where you can learn about local history, talk with an author or meet with a study group. Libraries have librarians, professionals whose training helps people find what they are looking for, from a the latest work of their favorite author, or verifiable facts behind the latest news events. Libraries have always been more than just a building with books, and the biggest challenge may be to make the public aware of all the opportunities that are available to them there.