Daniel Goitein: Candidate profile

Bio

Name: Daniel Goitein

City: Barrington

Office sought: Barrington Library Board Trustee

Age: 42

Family: Wife (Sarah) and two daughters. Wife is an elementary school teacher and girls attend Barrington public schools

Occupation: National Account Executive at CareerBuilder. I am a sales consultant for companies to help find, hire and onboard employees using Careerbuilder's products and services.

Education: B.A. Political Science University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign and Masters in Human Resources and Industrial Relations, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign

Civic involvement: Supporter/Volunteer for Barrington Youth & Family Services (B.Y.F.S), Hough Street School PTO, and Barrington Area Soccer Association (BASA) soccer coach

Previous elected offices held: None

Incumbent? If yes, when were you first elected? N/A

Website: HTTPS://jandan2019.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JanDan2019/

Issue questions

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

The Barrington library is an excellent facility with a skilled staff. While the library is an asset to our community, it is not being fully leveraged. The relationship between the library board and the community and local leaders is strained. Improving the communication, collaboration and relationship of the library board within the community will allow the Barrington library to develop a strategic plan and longer term budget so the library can best meet the needs of our community. I will take the lead in opening more formal community leadership dialogue, stakeholder analysis and create a strategic plan for the library that reflects broader community input.

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

I have been interested in public service since college. I see the library board trustee role as an excellent opportunity to serve Barrington and improve the library, which I believe is a true asset to our community. I was motivated to run after seeing strained communication and collaboration between several members of the library board and the community surrounding the improved Lake Zurich road project. Continuing dialogue and creating a better, safer solution for the road will benefit the library and community.

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 will bring financial discipline, strategic planning and strong communication, facilitation and collaboration skills to the board from my experience in the private sector. I will also bring a fresh voice and community relationships to the library board.

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

I have a Barrington library card. I have had it since 2016, though our family has had a card for several years more. I use my card 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?

While technological change has created more access to information and types of media than just books, I believe libraries core value in providing a facility, materials and staff that provide information and an open environment is unchanged. Libraries evolve by updating their collections and space so there is a welcome environments for all ages and programs that align with learning, sharing information, appreciating history and of course encourage reading. A regular process of soliciting community/stakeholder needs will ensure a strategic plan and allocation of resources that keeps our library relevant in the community.