Erin Flannigan-Davies: 2023 candidate for Schaumburg Township District Library Board

Bio

Town: Schaumburg

Age on Election Day: 62

Occupation: Retired IT Consultant

Employer: Allstate Insurance Company

Previous offices held: Schaumburg Township District Library Trustee

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?

A: In 2019, I was appointed by the Schaumburg Township District Library Board to complete the last 1 1/2 years of a Trustee's term. I volunteered to be on the board to ensure the high standards and forward thinking of our Township Library was maintained. I also wanted to ensure that the board was a good steward of our taxpayer money. And, I wanted to ensure that our 5-star award winning library system, including the Central location in Schaumburg and the Hoffman Estates branch and Hanover Park branch, remained committed to its brand which is providing relevant information, books, media, technology and programs for all ages in a safe and friendly environment through the service of well-trained staff. That commitment held throughout my time as a Trustee and I am equally committed to that goal today.

Q: Has your library seen a significant shift in the use of online materials? Has it adequately bolstered and promoted its online collection?

A: The Schaumburg Township District Library experienced a huge shift into online materials during the Pandemic and that has continued into the present time. Our library is second to none in its offerings to the community. Our e-library affords our community free access to Research Databases for newspapers, consumer info, business, investing and genealogy. And our E-media portal provides free access to Libby and other sites for e-books and audio books, Kanopy and Hoopla for movies, music and magazines, arts & crafts, The Great Courses, Curiosity Stream as well as free access to the current Daily Herald, Wall Street Journal, Sun Times and New York Times newspapers. The librarians are continually monitoring community needs and adapting or adding to our collection of online materials to keep the library as one of the premier library systems in the state of Illinois.

Q: What do you see as the future of role of libraries in the electronic age? How well prepared is your library for meeting that role? What new steps must the library begin taking?

A: A library is a crucial component of our electronic age. Information is more readily available to the average person than ever before but it can be overwhelming without the knowledge and expertise of a librarian to contain, catalog and present this information in a coherent manner. In the way that a library catalogs books and manuscripts so that they may be accessed and maintained easily, online materials need the same scrutiny and care.

Also, a library is crucial to providing a physical location for folks who may lack the hardware, software and or internet access needed in order to take advantage of all the online materials and access to the various classes, databases, learning websites, etc. The library must continue its mission as a vital link between the community and the materials whether they are physical or electronic.

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: In 2019, I was appointed by the Schaumburg Township District Library Board to complete the last 1 1/2 years of a Trustee's term. During my stint as a Trustee, I was part of a Board that hired a new Library Director, revamped and updated all of our Library policies and procedures, reviewed and modified the annual budgets, returned money to the taxpayers, reviewed processes and procedures for overtime, advocated for the library throughout the community and most importantly, worked diligently with all of the Board members and the Library Director to navigate through the Pandemic. We worked hard to figure out ways to keep the library open and safe using all available methods including Zoom classes and meetings, curbside delivery, mail delivery of materials, expanding e-books, audio books, streaming, etc., and modifying the building to keep patrons and staff distanced, yet still accessible.

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

A: Yes. I've had a library card all my life. After moving to Schaumburg in 1989, one of the first things I did was get a library card. I use it monthly and sometimes weekly to borrow books, DVDs or blurays and e-books for my Kindle. Also, I attend many of the wonderful programs sponsored by the library throughout the year.

Q: Describe your experience working in a group setting to determine policy. What is your style in such a setting to reach agreement? Explain how you think that will be effective in producing effective actions and decisions of your library board.

A: Working in a very cooperative, professional and effective corporate environment for over 30 years taught me how to work within a team in order to establish policy, set goals, evaluate products, make budgetary decisions and plan for projects. In the case of determining policy within a board setting, I've learned that understanding the real issue and the reason why the policy is needed or is being changed or dropped is one of the first steps to success. Also, knowing what one's role is, that is, what is the board's mandate, ie duties and responsibilities? Should we really be making a policy for x, y or z? Is that under the purview of the Director? For me, listening and being respectful to others' views is essential. Understanding the current state and the proposed state and being prepared for the meeting are also ways to produce effective actions I also defer to the experts in the room, for example, the Library Director who knows the day-to-day workings of the library.

Q: What makes you the best candidate for the job?

A: In addition to my STDL Trustee experience, I have the knowledge and ability to serve the patrons of our Library with professionalism, care and understanding. I have been a resident of Schaumburg and a patron of the library for 34 years. I worked in IT management for over 32 years, 30 of those working at Allstate Insurance. As well, I have additional board experience serving on an HOA board for 16 years. And, I have experience serving our community. For example, I was a volunteer tutor in the District. 214 Read to Learn Program for several years, a Library delivery cart volunteer at Alexian Brothers Medical Center; a 13 year volunteer teacher in St. Matthew's religious education program, 3 of those years as a board member.

If elected, I plan to bring the knowledge I have gained from these areas to the library board. I am committed to serving our community and being a good steward of our taxpayer money as a Trustee of this wonderful library system.