Activist Toolkit

1. What motivates you to seek this office? What skills, experiences, and perspectives would you bring to the Library Board, and why would those contributions be valuable to the River Forest Public Library?

I believe that libraries have the power to inform, inspire and engage with all individuals in a community.  I am interested in working to make RFPL a true hub of our community. I have been involved with community libraries for over ten years – working in River Forest public school libraries, volunteering at Oak Park Public Library as well as currently working at Concordia University. As a librarian I am keenly aware of how libraries can enhance a community and would like to play a leading role in how RFPL can continue to contribute to our village.

2. What steps will you take to improve and expand community engagement with the Library and the Board? What is your view on how local elected officials should communicate with and respond to constituents?

I look forward to helping continue many of the successful programs and services the library provides. I welcome the opportunity to look for additional ways to successfully communicate and reach all constituents including partnering with other community services. One way elected officials can communicate with and respond to constituents is by creating advisory boards, e.g. youth and/or seniors that can not only report back on community needs but promote RFPL as well.

3. Give an example of a time when you worked to understand a situation or view different from your own. What helped you to move through that process? What hindered you as you moved through the process?

I like to get things done. Getting things done requires inclusion of all stakeholders. To achieve inclusive results, I first try to understand what the barriers to completion are, and then develop processes or creative solutions to address them. When I recommend a project, I include ways to address anticipated barriers and work-arounds to make it easier for stakeholders to understand and collaborate.

4. Who or what is your role model for your approach to governing?

Good Governance requires libraries to advocate for their services and collections and make investments in accordance with key stakeholders’ needs. Right-minded policies and procedures are also important for upstanding stewardship.

5. What do you feel are the three biggest issues facing the Library, and how do you intend to address them? How will you prioritize among competing priorities? 

1. Staying relevant in the digital age of search engines and virtual downloads. 2. Broadening the libraries perception from being viewed as a repository of books to a participatory information commons. 3. Ensuring funding is available for both on-going maintenance, new initiatives and evolving needs.

6. What do you believe has been the most significant action taken by the Library in recent years, and why? Do you believe the Board acted appropriately?

1. RFPL’s transition to curbside delivery and online programming during the pandemic was significant because it allowed library services to continue to support patrons’ needs during this unprecedented time. 2. Physical upgrades to the Children’s room and library vestibule helped improve both patron experience and staff effectiveness. I believe the Board acted appropriately in overseeing these efforts.

7. How do you define racial equity? Have recent events and discussions in the larger community informed or changed your thinking?

Racial equity means having structures, systems, policies, practices and cultural narratives that address and promote access, fairness and equal opportunity. The following have helped inform my thinking: a) participation in OPRF’s 10-week discussion forum on the 2018 America to Me documentary series, and b) reading and discussing recent non-fiction literature including: How to be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi, Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi, The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson, and White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo.

8. How do you plan to solicit feedback from people who may be experiencing the community in a different way than you? What barriers do you believe may exist in this process?

Feedback is an important tool for understanding patrons’ needs and experiences. It is important to consider feedback or assessment whenever possible. I also believe in the use of reflection to help inform and improve one’s practice. Barriers that exist include costs and time associated with large quantitative assessments and limited resources and expertise for conducting evidence-based evaluations in-house.

9. River Forest lacks a true community hub. Do you see this as a role that could be filled by the River Forest Library? Why or why not?  

River Forest does lack a public community hub or gathering space. I believe the library could fill this role virtually but not physically due to current building limitations. Some virtual ideas might include using RFPL’s website to include “Community Happenings” where RFPL becomes the primary source for community information. I am also interested in how the library might move beyond their current footprint to extend their services into the community. This might be done by partnering to share other community spaces and/or outreach efforts that meet patrons where they are, e.g. a book mobile that is located at youth soccer games/ baseball fields. 

10. How should the Library balance the needs of the various groups that rely on its programs, services, and facilities?

Using the Library’s Mission Statement, Goals, Initiatives, and Values can help prioritize and balance the needs of various groups that rely on its programs, services and facilities. Evaluations and assessments can offer insight into these various groups and work to help prioritize library efforts.

11. How do you keep abreast of changes in library trends?

I keep informed of library trends by regularly visiting other libraries both physically and virtually and continuing library coursework. I also frequently read professional articles from library bodies like ALA, ACRL as well as library journals.

12. With libraries adapting to the changing needs of their communities, what will you do to ensure that the River Forest library is providing value to the River Forest community?

In order to provide value, one must first know what is valued. Again it is important to understand the needs of both patrons and community stakeholders. Efforts that engage with and respond to the community help provide understanding into what is valued. Flexibility is also important, as was demonstrated recently by RFPL’s ability to pivot to curbside pick up and virtual programming. Finally, it is important to be transparent and inclusive and thereby promote accountability to patrons and stakeholders.

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[The above answers were supplied on 2/19/21.]