Constance Barreras: Candidate Profile

Note: Answers provided have not been edited for grammar, misspellings or typos. In some instances, candidate claims that could not be immediately verified have been omitted. Jump to:BioKey IssuesQA Bio City: Glendale HeightsWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Glenside Library Board (6-year Terms)Age: 51Family: Married, two children ages 22 and 26.Occupation: Not employedEducation: Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, University of Southern California, 1983.Civic involvement: Volunteer for the annual Glendale Heights Health and Safety Fair. Volunteered and served as an officer for parent groups at G. Stanley Hall School, Marquardt Middle School, and Glenbard East High School.Elected offices held: Glenside Public Library District Board Member September 2005 to present.Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: noCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Continuing to make sure that Glenside Library is a valuable asset to our community by providing a safe and welcoming environment with programs, materials, and technology that benefit all of our residents.Key Issue 2 That the Glenside Public Library District continue as a good steward of the taxes that we collect from our residents. The library needs to continuously look at ways to cut costs while providing the services and innovations that our community is entitled to and desires.Key Issue 3 Making reading and the library a enjoyable past time for everyone. I believe that a library is vital to our community and that everyone in our community should know about the many contributions the library has to offer our residents.Questions Answers Why are you running for this office, whether for re-election or election the first time? Is there a particular issue that motivates you, and if so, what is it?I am running for re-election because I enjoy making a contribution to my community and feel that Glenside Library is an asset that I enjoy using and promoting to the people I meet. As a trustee I am able to make suggestions and see the processes involved in making the library relevant and fiscally responsible to the people of my community.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 special contributions you could make.I have been on the Library Board since September 2005 and the Vice President since May 2011. I am on the Personnel Committee and participate in the annual "Meet a Library Trustee" day during National Library Week.Do you have a library card? How long have you had it? How often do you use it?I have had a library card most of my life and a Glenside library card for close to 25 years. I use it several times a month, it is very rare for me to not have at least one book checked out and several books on the the reserve list.Space is usually an issue at libraries. If that's the case at your library, would your solution be to expand the physical plant or make room by doing away with parts of the collection that technology has made less critical? Explain.Glenside Library has done an excellent job allocating space and making changes to the collection by weeding out under used materials and creating space for new collections and technologies.What impact have economic and technological changes had on libraries? How does a library remain relevant? How should its role in the community change?The library has continued to be fiscally responsible in the current economy. New technology has enabled the library to save money while still providing our community with leading edge services. The library remains relevant by offering services that are vital to the community through programs, innovations such as eBooks, and free computer access.