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Politics & Government

Meet Your Candidates: Library Trustee Hopeful Lisa Gaines McDonald

Wilmette-Kenilworth Patch is running a series of questionnaires with candidates running in contested races for Spring 2011 elections.

Lisa Gaines McDonald has served as an interim trustee for the past one-and-a-half years, and is looking to become a full-fledged boad member this election.

Board members serve four-year terms. Four seats are open this year, and five candidates are running altogether—McDonald, as well as Kathleen M. O'Laughlin, Virginia T. George, Jan Barshis and write-in candidate Michael Levitan.

McDonald prides herself on being a lifetime reader and a successful market research consultant who has "excellent problem solving skills." She has lived in Wilmette since 1992.

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How would you assess the state of the library district’s budget?
Excellent

If expenses need to be reduced, exactly what would you cut?
Staffing is the largest expense. Prior to reducing expenses there would need to be a traffic study to determine if hours or staffing levels could be reduced.

If more revenue needs to be raised, exactly what would you propose?
Currently the library has increased their patron contributions from $3,468 to  $18,500 between 2003 and 2010 with an annual solicitation level. The Friends of the Wilmette Public Library makes significant contributions. I believe the community is strongly vested in the library. I would initially focus on cutting expenses. I have had my own business since 1994, and weathered both good times and bad times so I believe I have skills to assess the situation.

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What’s the best way for the library to keep up with changing technologies, such as the way people access books and materials? (Example: eBooks, iPods, and developing technologies).
The library is constantly keeping up with new technologies.  There have been ongoing changes in innovation with the addition Media Mall, Play Aways and the BiblioCommons, which facilitates patrons and staff sharing their thoughts and ideas about what they are reading and listening to. Everyone must have gotten an eBook reader so there is currently a longer wait for e-books than regular books, which is being evaluated.  

Is the library adequately providing the following, or do you feel these need to be adopted or augmented: computers, study rooms, reading areas, drive-through book drop-offs, self-checkout stations, refreshments/food. Would you suggest any others?
The library is constantly assessing how to enhance the patrons experience:

  • The computers will be upgraded in the next six months and are currently going out to bid. 
  • Based on patron comments a door has been approved for the study area to provide quite space
  • There are sufficient drive-through book drop-offs at the Library, Plaza Del Largo and Centennial Complex
  • I disagree with refreshments/food being available throughout the building because I feel it is important to respect the collections..  There is a snack area in the children’s room and refreshments are allowed in the auditorium.


Does the wireless connection for patrons need to be upgraded? 
It was just upgraded two months ago which should be adequate for the next three years.

What is your favorite childhood book?
"Fairy Tales" by Hans Christian Anderson

What are you currently reading?
"Brick Lane" by Monica Ali for one of my book clubs and I am listening to The False Friend by Myla Goldberg on CD.

Is the library adequately reaching out to diverse populations, i.e., people with primary languages other than English, people with visual difficulties, others? 
Concerted efforts have been made to increase the collections of the Ethnic groups that live in Wilmette. An International Film section, as well as a Japanese collection have been recently added. The staff reaches out to group homes. WPL  has always had an extensive large print selection reflective of the aging populations.

Does the library get adequate feedback from patrons? If not, how would you increase the flow of communication?
I feel that both the staff and trustees are open to patron comments via comment cards, e-mails, public comment sections at the monthly trustee meeting and phone calls. All comment cards and patron e-mails are reviewed by the board and a staff member responds to all those that necessitate a response.

The trustees will need to develop a five-year strategic plan and I would imagine that there will be community meetings and focus groups, as well as opportunities for patrons and partners to share their vision online.

Does the library need upgrades to its facilities?
The facilities were just upgraded in the last 12 months. Currently there is a replacement skylight and parking lot resurfacing under consideration.


What do you think of the Village's Master Plan and how it will relate to the library in the future?
The biggest issue regarding the Village’s Master Plan that impacts library patrons is maintaining the current number of convenient parking places and hopefully increasing them. Board members have met several times to share their concerns and preferences with the Village.

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