Politics & Government

Meet Your Candidates: Claudette Zobel, River Forest Public Library Board

Resident hoping to claim board seat.

Claudette Zobel, 76, is aiming for a spot on the River Forest Public Library Board of Trustees, the seven-member group responsible for shaping the library's fiscal and operating policies. 

Members of the library board serve six-year terms. This year, three seats are up for election and four candidates — Zobel, , and — are vying for spots on the board. 

Before moving to River Forest about 15 years ago, Zobel served on Oak Park's zoning board of appeals and the village's plan commission in addition to was chairing what was then known as the village's block grant committee.

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Patch: How would you assess the state of the library’s budget?

Claudette Zobel: The library’s budget is tight but adequate.  Past library trustees have used their revenues carefully and have built modest reserves.

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If expenses need to be reduced, exactly what would you cut?  Please be specific.

It is my understanding that current revenues are adequate and there is no need to reduce expenditures.

If more revenue needs to be raised, exactly what would you propose?  Please be specific.

The library is able to thrive within its current revenues.

The library seems to have robust offerings of eBooks, audiobooks, etc.  Are you aware of any other developing technologies that patrons can use?

I am unaware of new technologies that loom but have every confidence that the library staff will stay abreast of such developments will inform the library trustees if new media becomes available and new capacities need development.

How would you rate the WiFi connection at the Main Branch? 

Excellent. 

What are you currently reading? 

Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese. I’ve just finished Sara and Eleanor by Jan Pottker.  I read a good deal of current fiction, most anything about Henry VIII and the Tudors and much that deals with the American history from 1934 through 1956.

Is the library adequately reaching out to diverse populations, i.e., people with primary languages other than English, people with visual difficulties, others?

Within the constraints of its budget the River Forest Library does a fine job of serving the village population.  Foreign language books are available through interlibrary loan, large print books are prominently displayed and more importantly the staff is responsive and helpful in locating specialized materials when the need arises. 

One of the glories of the library is the ease with which materials not available at the library itself are obtained from the inter-library loan system.  Even as I write this I’m aware that that system is experiencing hard times

Does the library get adequate feedback from patrons?  If not, how would you increase the flow of communication?  Please be specific. 

I have found both the staff and the head librarian approachable and open.  Suggestion boxes are prominently displayed.  The many programs offered by the library and aimed at different constituencies suggest that the staff observes, listens and responds to the needs that community. 

I’m particularly impressed by their aggressiveness in creating programs to coach patrons in the use of new technologies.

Please assess the Lathrop Avenue facility.  Does it need improving? 

The main library building has significant deferred maintenance problems that require attention.  An architectural assessment of its structural problems has recently been completed.  The library board will be addressing the correction of these structural issues in the near future.

What else would you like voters to know about your positions on issues, point of view or qualifications?

I am a candidate for the position of Library Trustee not because I am unhappy with the work of the current board but because I am a “heavy” user of the library, basically content with the services it offers and want to see it continue in the future, as it has in the past, be responsive to the needs of the community it serves.


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