SPRING 2021 ELECTION QUESTIONNAIRE
Name: Mary Bock
Years in village: 34 years
Age: 67
Education: Combined Degree. Liberal Arts and Education
Wayne State University–Detroit, MI 1976
Occupation: Retired
Community service: Hinsdale Library, Board of Trustees, June 2017 to May 2021
Board experience: Same
Why are you running for this particular seat at this particular time?
I am completing my first term on the board in May. I have found the experience rewarding and have enjoyed working with other board members in developing goals. I am extremely impressed with the staff of the library and their commitment to serving patrons.
What in your personal or professional experience has prepared you to be an effective board member?
Involvement in Information Technology to understand the need and deployment of services to patrons.
Management, evaluation and hiring of staff.
Managing budgets.
What in your opinion are the board’s three most important responsibilities?
Ensure the library serves the community. Monitor scope of programs offered at the library and at schools.
Help maintain the standards of collections, programs, and technology.
Budget creation and tracking.
What is the village’s greatest strength? Which area is most in need of attention?
Hinsdale has a great staff and is able to attract board members with great capabilities and skillful knowledge.
Even though great strides have been made, continued attention to street repairs is needed.
What is the most pressing budgetary matter the village will face over the next four years?
Losing tax revenue from the tollway oasis; development of the Basic Life Principles site
What will be your top three priorities if elected?
Manage the 2018 Facility Assessment to keep the building in good working condition. With the next major project being windows replacement probably in 2023.
Continue to assess the level of achievement in the five goals in the Strategic Plan 2019-2021.
Use resources offered by Reaching Across Illinois Library System (Rails) to keep up-to-date with library issues and education of board members.
Please cite a recent board decision that you have agreed with and one that you have disagreed with and briefly explain your reason(s) why.
The board has spent considerable time ensuring the library was offering the best service during the pandemic. I have agreed with the library’s response including when to be open to the public and the service level that can be provided. At our last meeting there was discussion of opening to the public the end of January. I did not feel this was recommended because of the recent levels of positivity and not knowing how the new administration will handle pandemic issues.
I can’t think of a time I voted “nay” in a roll call vote. In 2018 there was discussion of making the Art Committee be reformed as an Art Commission. Personally, I did not feel a change was warranted. The committee had been in existence for many years and worked to acquire art and to offer patrons programs by artists.
In the end I agreed to the change because there were committees on which only board members served, and this committee had individuals as well as board members. The committee could only make recommendations to the board.
After fact finding by contacting other libraries and much discussion the name change and structure of the commission was agreed upon by the Board. I found this to be the opportunity to have the board determine any maintenance needed by the art pieces and find ways to fund this.
