Liz Sullivan: 2021 candidate for Lisle Library District board
Four candidates are running for three, 4-year terms on the Lisle Library District board of trustees in the April 6 election. They are incumbents Marjorie Bartelli, Liz Sullivan and Emily Swistak, and newcomer Anne Chang-Blaeske.
The Daily Herald asked the candidates about issues facing the district.
In-person early voting with paper ballots is now available at the DuPage County Fairgrounds Building 5, 2015 Manchester Road, Wheaton. In-person early voting with touch-screen voting begins March 22 at locations throughout the county. Learn more at www.dupageco.org/earlyvoting/.
Bio
Town: Lisle
Age: Not given
Occupation: Not given
Civic involvement: Lisle Woman's Club member and Chair of Civic Engagement and Outreach, Green Trails Board member and secretary
Q&A
Q: Why are you running for the library board, whether for reelection or election the first time? Is there a particular issue that motivates you, and if so, what is it?
A: I am running for reelection to the Lisle Library Board.
I am passionate about the Lisle Library and its future. Libraries are becoming more relevant than ever and play a big role in the community.
They serve a variety of age and socio-economic groups differently. Libraries help children learn through story times, books, puzzles, and interactive play areas. They provide programs to fit all age groups, provide meeting space, and give teens a place to study. They lend books and other media, offer database use, and provide Wi-Fi access at no cost. They have a supply of newspapers and magazines for those who don't subscribe.
Q: Did your library continue to adequately serve its constituents during the disruptions caused by the pandemic? If so, please cite an example of how it successfully adjusted to continue providing services. If not, please cite a specific example of what could have been done better.
A: The pandemic has been challenging for all libraries. The Lisle Library has pivoted to quarantine and disinfect returned materials. The library also offers an increasing number of virtual programs, curbside pickup, and digital services to continue to serve constituents.
Q: Has your library seen a significant shift in the use of online materials? Has it adequately bolstered and promoted its online collection?
A: Yes, we have increased our Overdrive collection of e-books and audiobooks and also added Pressreader and Kanopy. The library uses social and print media to promote its online collection in addition to its other service offerings.
Q: In light of our experiences with COVID-19, what safeguards/guidelines should you put in place to address any future public health crises?
A: We should offer a drive-through window to better serve patrons during a pandemic and on a regular basis. We should continue to regularly disinfect keyboards and continue to clean bathrooms twice daily. We have permanently installed hand sanitizers throughout the library.
Q: 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.
A: One of the initiatives of which I am most proud is the video recording and posting of all board and committee meetings, which was one of my key initiatives. I have also pushed for straightforward revenue and expense reports, a more detailed budgeting process, and cost-efficient operations.
Q: Do you have a library card? How long have you had it? How often do you use it
A: I have had a library card for over 20 years and I am a heavy library user. I frequently checkout books for the book clubs to which I belong and I also download audio books on a regular basis. I use databases such as Consumer Reports, Ancestry, and Lynda.com.