2013 Election Profile: Evelyn Givens

Address: 500 block of Lincoln Station Drive, Oswego

Campaign contact information: www.eviegivens.weebly.com

Family: (Son) Anderson 2 years old

Education: Northeastern Illinois University B.A. Political Science 2003 M.A. Political Science 2007

Occupation: Sports Editor of Kendall Weekly Times

Why are you seeking office?

I want to give back to the community that has given my family and I so much. The library strives on providing a service that is efficient and effective and I would like to take part in that.

What set you apart from other candidates?

All of us have a connection to the library in one way or another. We all want to be part of the future plans of the district. I have an eagerness to work with the board to keep the library on its positive path.

What will be your single most important priority if you get elected?

My important priority would be to maintain the current infrastructure that the board is working with. In these times of economic uncertainty, they have done a great job carrying out policies and programs that were put in place by future and former trustees.

What do you consider to be the main issues facing the Oswego Public Library today?

I would say the main issue facing the library as well as other libraries would be patronage. The evolution of modern technology has allowed for many to do their research and even read books from their computers or tablets. Many don’t feel a need to come to the library if they can do all they need to do at home. However, by highlighting positive achievements such as loaning out close to 1,000,000 items in fiscal year 2011 (Oswego Patch), it shows the relevance of the library in modern times.

What programs or events do you think the Oswego Library should be taking part in? How will these help the library gain exposure as well as provide learning opportunities for all ages of the public?

I would like to see the library work with other organizations such as the YARN Foundation and other community centers. By showcasing what the library has to offer to these organizations, they are in turn showing what they have to offer to residents as well. This can result in more patrons and even financial contributions to keep the library going on the path that it is on.

How do you think the library can remain current with today's youth and the technology age?

The library is doing a good job now by offering access to online databases, the rental or e-books and the use of computers at both campuses. By doing this, they are catering to a much larger demographic then what they would have seen just 10 to 15 years ago. While there are still those that like to read actual books and newspapers, they are meeting the current needs of those that prefer to look at a screen for all of their needs. They even offer classes on how to use an e-reader which I am sure has been beneficial to many people.