Why are you running for reelection to the Westmont Library Board?
Jason Fichtel:
I am running for reelection to the Library Board because I continue to believe deeply in the mission of the Library–to provide the community the keys to lifelong learning–and I want to continue to do all I can to keep WPL a vibrant part of our Westmont community.
Joanne O’Malley:
I joined the Library Board in 2021 because I wanted to get more involved in the community. As a lifelong reader, I have always loved the library and have been particularly impressed with how it is managed and the great service it provides to the community. I would like to continue to serve the Library as Trustee and support advancement of its strategic plan.
Heather Booth:
I have dedicated my professional life to public libraries and their success because of the immense value that they bring to our communities and residents. Now that I am no longer working in a public library, I want to continue to share my two decades of experience in understanding how libraries work as a volunteer on the Library Board.
Beth Krotiak:
When I joined the Westmont Public Library Board of Trustees in 2021 my initial interest was to:
- become involved in an area of our community that I believed in.
- do my fair share as a community resident and meet other Westmont residents.
- attain personal growth and see if my talents were of use to the Board.
I have succeeded in touching upon each of these goals and most importantly have learned that my talents are indeed of use to the Board. As such, I wish to continue to serve for a full four-year term with the following goals:
- be an advocate for the 2023 strategic plan and ensure it is reflected in future budgets.
- expand my community involvement to learn how the Library can improve its service to the community.
- further support the Library Director and the mission of the Library.
- promote the American Library Association’s freedom to read propositions.
What are your favorite things about the Westmont Public Library?
Jason Fichtel:
My favorite thing about the WPL is that the staff works so diligently to be such a welcoming place to the entire Westmont community.
Joanne O’Malley:
My favorite thing about the Library is the creativity and passion of the Library staff. The Library Director and staff demonstrate a commitment to continuous learning and work tirelessly to be inclusive and promote access for all patrons.
Heather Booth:
The Westmont Public Library does outreach in such a robust way. From visiting local schools from preschool through WHS to running book clubs at Mayslake and retirement communities, from homebound services to running a craft table at Cruising Nights and at the Taste of Westmont, from helping local Jr. High students meet their service learning goals to providing access to nationally-recognized speakers, our library seeks to continually learn about Westmont’s needs and interests and serve all of its residents.
Beth Krotiak:
I am pleased that the Westmont Library is for the entire community.
- Instilling the love of books and storytelling in a child? Read together in the Library’s youth area.
- Need wi-fi and a quiet place to complete a job interview? Reserve a study room and connect to the Library’s wifi, or use it from the parking lot!
- Anticipating the newest best seller? Put a hold on a copy using the System Wide Automated Network “(SWAN”) catalog!
- Want use of a computer and need technical assistance? The Library’s helpful staff is on hand!
- Researching a trip? Check out materials rather than buy your own
- Looking to hem a pair of pants but you don’t have a sewing machine? Check one out from the Library!
- Researching a community topic from 1972? Search the Library’s digital collection of historical local newspapers
How is your background helpful to the Westmont Public Library Board?
Jason Fichtel:
I have served on the Board since 2010, and in that time I have attended numerous trainings and workshops for library trustees, so I believe I continue to offer the Board a solid history of experience. I’ve also spent my entire life around books–reading them, teaching them, thinking about them, and writing about them, and therefore I recognize just how vital it is to make literature and literacy available to everyone.
Joanne O’Malley:
Through my work as a leader in a healthcare organization, I have gained experience in collaborating with others, policy development, strategic planning and issue resolution. These skills transfer well to other settings and have helped me be an effective Trustee.
Heather Booth:
As an MLS-degreed librarian with connections to communities of libraries across the country, I bring to the board an awareness of trends and best practices in libraries.
For many years, I specialized in service to teens, and am nationally recognized as a speaker and writer on this topic. My understanding and expertise regarding the needs of adolescents in library service aids the Board in many of its conversations related to the freedom to read. I am also experienced and skilled at writing and evaluating policies, and have made use of this ability as the Chair of the WPL Board’s Policy Committee. I am connected to the Westmont community through involvement in the schools, as a parent, and as a volunteer.
Beth Krotiak:
I have spent 35 years in accounting and finance positions at large corporations including five years in public accounting. I am currently the Vice President Treasurer of a $34 billion food distribution company managing its liquidity needs, a debt portfolio of $4.8 billion and interest expense of $300 million. I bring valuable experience to the Board through my business acumen of:
- understanding the integration of business decisions with financial responsibility
- leading with a mindset that liquidity is of upmost importance to any organization
- negotiating loan agreements and managing related covenants
- being a steward of financial resources and managing a business within a budget
- reading and understanding financial statements and audit reports
- asking questions to encourage exchange of information
What would you like the community to know about the Library and Library Board?
Jason Fichtel:
I would like the community to know that the current Board of Trustees of the WPL are incredible stewards of–and advocates for–a vibrant and engaging Library. Our current Board is a collegial, cooperative, and, well, “cool” group of Westmont volunteers who work together in efficient and thoughtful ways to keep our Library strong. I feel extremely luck to serve with my fellow Trustees!
Joanne O’Malley:
The Library is a critical partner in our community and the current Library Board is a team of committed volunteers devoted to the success of the Library and its programs.
Heather Booth:
Every decision I make as a Trustee, I also make as your neighbor and a longtime resident of Westmont, asking myself “what will be best for the community now and in the future?”.
The public library is an ever-evolving place where people can gather, learn something new, explore ideas, and be enriched by a wide range of material and services. There is something in the library for everyone–and if it doesn’t seem like it, then there are amazing staff on hand to help.
It’s an honor to serve on the Board of Trustees to help the Library continue its mission for the people of Westmont.
Beth Krotiak:
Westmont Public Library’s budget is smaller than those of other libraries in the area. So much is done within that budget thanks to the expertise of Library staff! The staff is the most important aspect of making the Westmont Public Library a valuable resource for our community.
The seven-member Board of Trustee’s responsibilities include determining policy, providing fiscal oversight, supervising a qualified Library Director and developing long range plans in order to provide library services to the Village of Westmont residents.
The Board does this in accordance with the Statues of the State of Illinois. The current Trustees bring an array of experiences to the Board, from creative backgrounds to legal and finance backgrounds. They work well together to support the library’s strategic plan in support of the community.