NORTH AURORA – None of the incumbents seeking a four-year term with the Messenger Public Library Board is guaranteed a win.
The three incumbents – Mary Beth Hutches, 55, Justin Kline, 34, and Mark Saperston, 47 – are being challenged by Corinn Sparks, 33, Paul Rodenback, 69, and Eric Brumbaugh, 41.
Three terms are available in Tuesday’s election.
As a librarian with West Aurora School District 129, Sparks said she would bring a unique perspective, as well as a knowledge of how libraries work and the philosophy behind library services.
Sparks said some responsibility falls on the schools to improve their relationship with their public library, but the library also needs to do a better job of reaching out to the schools. She would like to address that, if elected, she said.
“I want the library and the school to work more closely together,” she said.
Hutches, a board member for about two years, teaches in Waubonsee Community College's nursing program and serves as program director. Noting that many board members are retired, she said she would bring the perspective of someone still in the workforce.
She wants to continue as trustee because she has enjoyed the experience and it is a way for her to give back to the community, she said.
“I think that, as a board, we’ve been pretty fiscally responsible, and I’d like to continue to work in that manner and continue to maintain the building and update it as necessary,” Hutches said.
Brumbaugh, who grew up in a town that didn't have a public library, said as a geologist he has a deep appreciation for the access of information.
Although this is his first time running for public office, he said he has worked for local and state governments as a private consultant, so he knows what works and what doesn’t.
If elected, Brumbaugh said his priority would be to the youth, specifically in “advancing youth interest in the STEM” – science, technology, engineering and math – “career paths.” Libraries should offer programming that features components of STEM throughout the year, he said.
To address unemployment in the community, Kline said he started and ran a career club at the library for three years after getting on the board. Members met weekly and created a job network group to help each other find jobs, he said, noting 12 people gained employment.
He now works as the information technology director for Northern Illinois University’s intercollegiate athletics department and said his goal as trustee is to make sure patrons know the library is more than books.
“I look at it as a community center where people can come together,” Kline said.
With four children who range in age from 2 to 13, Saperston said he hears parents' perspectives about the library. He also understands the community and issues because he has lived in North Aurora for almost 14 years, he said.
Saperston, who works in IT security, said he likes being a trustee to see how tax dollars are being spent and to ensure the library doesn’t overspend. It is important for the library to consider ways to use space it already has instead of expanding, he said.
“I know I pay enough in taxes,” he said, describing himself as frugal. “I’m always worried about that.”
Rodenback, a retiree with a background in auditing and accounting, said people want to know their tax money is being spent correctly.
He said he has attended board meetings to see whether he would like being a trustee and whether he had talents to contribute.
“I want to see what I’m getting into,” Rodenback said. “I can see where I can help the library and make sure everything stays in line. I’m watching where your tax money is.”
In addition to the race for the four-year terms, three candidates are seeking two two-year terms on the North Aurora library board. Visit KCChronicle.com for information.
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To learn more about candidates running in the April 7 election – and to learn more about referendums that will appear on local ballots – visit the Kane County Chronicle's Election Central website at www.kcchronicle.com/election-central.