Marjorie Bartelli: 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: Retired
Civic involvement: Lisle Library District Trustee, attend Lisle Economic Development Commission meetings and Lisle Village Board meetings
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: Most important issue has been fiscal responsibility to district patrons, evidenced by board lowering the library portion of resident property tax bills in 2017, 2018, 2019, and freezing the levy in 2020.
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: Lisle Library District instituted curbside book/video pickup by reservation within weeks of the close down mandate. Extremely popular with patrons, so much so we will continue to offer it in the future. Lisle Library District is one of the first public libraries to provide Illinois license plate renewal, allowing patrons to avoid the Secretary of State waiting lines and exposure to large crowds.
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, Lisle Library District bolstered and promoted our online collection, evidenced by offering the use of the Overdrive app (e-books & audiobooks).
Plus, Lisle Library District cardholders can access Hulu & Kanopy, free streaming services. Online materials have seen a 30% year-to-date increase. Total year-to-date change in digital media use increased approximately 28%.
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: The Lisle Library District updated our policy manual to include two new policies: Emergency Closure of Library Policy and Pandemic Response Policy.
These policies address future public health crises BEFORE situations arise.
We have added an additional monthly cleaning service to our current regular weekly cleaning service. Also, our library continues to have an appropriate supply of PPE for staff and patrons.
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: As an incumbent, contributed to lowering the library portion of resident property tax bills in 2017, 2018, 2019, and freezing the levy in 2020. Have advocated for recorded meetings (audio and video) and ensured meeting packets are posted on Lisle Library District website before every meeting. All meetings are recorded “live” for in-person attendance, and recordings posted to Lisle Library District website the following day of meeting.
Q: Do you have a library card? How long have you had it? How often do you use it
A: Yes, since 2005. I visit our library usually twice a week.