Heather McCarthy, Candidate For Oak Lawn Public Library Board

OAK LAWN, IL — Heather McCarthy is running for the Oak Lawn Public Library Board of Trustees. She is one of four candidates running for three open seats. Term are for six years.

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Early voting is underway. The consolidated election is April 4.

Read McCarthy's answers to the Patch candidate survey.

Name: Heather McCarthy

Age (as of Election Day): 43

Town/City of Residence: Oak Lawn

Office Sought: Oak Lawn Public Library Board Trustee

Family: I have been married for 17 years. We have two children, Maya and Christian.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government? No

Occupation: Media Specialist/Librarian at Oak Lawn Hometown Middle School

Campaign website or Facebook or other social media: N/A

Previous or current elected or appointed office: None

The most pressing issues facing the library are _______, and this is what I intend to do about them.

Libraries can always use more advocacy. I am already a supporter of our library and would love to continue to convey the message on the value of our library to the community.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I do not know much about the other candidates and can really only speak about myself. As a current librarian, I feel I have a lot to contribute to this position. I can use my expertise in the area of librarianship to help support the library’s current programs and help them continue to grow, enrich, and strengthen in many areas. I believe that a strong library makes for a strong community.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community or district? I think if someone is on the board they have the library and the community’s best interests in mind.

How would you help raise awareness about library services, collections and programs? The Oak Lawn Public Library already has a beautiful website, newsletters, and brochures. As an educator in Oak Lawn, I can add to their advocacy by making sure each school in the area is aware of all the wonderful resources and programming available through the library. From an educational standpoint, I would want to make sure others are aware of how to use inner library loans, the Beyond Books Collection, and how to access the events and programs available for their particular age group. Continuing to connect other areas of our community and creating key partnerships will also help in raising awareness for the library services.

What areas of the library collection would you like to see expanded?

Are there any specific areas of the library collection that you like to use? What are they?
Both professionally and personally, I love the Beyond Books Collection. Most people think the library collection contains just books, however in the Beyond Books Collection everyone has access to items such as cake pans, musical instruments, beach chairs, and even a human skeleton. Last month, we checked out the electromagnetic field tester to do some “ghost hunting.” As the librarian of a middle school, I am constantly using the expertise of the library staff to gather stacks of books to enhance the programming at my school. As far as areas to expand, it is important to stay up to date with the latest in technology and continue to stay current with collection development.

Do you think the current board has done enough to support inclusivity for all community members, and if not, what specifically should be done to do so?

Supporting underserved and vulnerable populations is a critical piece to including all community members. The Oak Lawn Public Library is very inclusive in their programming making sure they have dedicated spaces, programs, and events for young readers, youths/teens, and adults. Their computer services also meet a variety of needs. Besides exceptional programming, events, and collection development, the library is also inclusive with their in-home deliveries, museum passes, and many other services available to meet the various needs of the community.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform:

I am a member of the American Library Association and the Association for Illinois School Librarians and Educators. Last year, my library (Oak Lawn Hometown Middle School) was named one of six exemplary libraries in the state of Illinois. I have the knowledge and expertise to help support our current library staff and current board members to continue growing our library into a state of the art facility meeting the needs of our community.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

As mentioned above, I am very familiar with the ins-and-outs of librarianship, working well with others, and running successful programing. I am a strong leader and have led many large scale community events including our school’s annual 6K race and meal packaging events.

Why should voters trust you? I have lived in Oak Lawn since 2010 and have worked in Oak Lawn since 2002. I am very invested in my community.

If you win this position, what accomplishment would make your term in office a success?

I would like to continue to build upon the successes of the library while also contributing new and innovative ideas and events. I would like to see an increase in patrons and attendance at events.

What are your views on fiscal policy, government spending and the handling of taxpayer dollars in the office you are seeking?

In terms of fiscal policy, it is important to ensure that public funds are being spent in the most effective way possible. This would mean creating and following a budget that allocates funds appropriately and efficiently, while also being transparent about where funds are being spent. Ultimately spending should be to benefit the community as a whole, so I would prioritize making strategic investments in areas that will have the greatest impact on the community while also being mindful of the needs to manage taxpayer dollars responsibly.

In what ways can intergovernmental relationships with state, county and other local governmental agencies be strengthened or improved?

By collaborating and building strong relationships with state, county, and other local governmental agencies, we can leverage resources and expertise to provide high-quality services and programs to our community. This would include collaborating on funding opportunities, joint programs and initiatives, and advocacy.

Is there any reason you would not serve your full term of office, other than those of health or family? No

The best advice ever shared with me was: “Remember that the happiest people are not those getting more, but those giving more.”