Meet Your Candidates: David Sokol, Oak Park Library Board of Trustees

David Sokol, 68, is running as a write-in candidate for a spot on the seven-member Oak Park Public Library Board of Trustees, the group responsible for shaping the library's fiscal and operating policies. 

Members serve four-year terms. This year, three seats are up for election and only three candidates — Sokol and incumbents and — are running, making the election uncontested. 

Sokol, professor emeritus in the art history department at the University of Illinois at Chicago, has three times chaired the village's historical preservation commission and has served on the Oak Park plan commission. Currently, he chairs the village's public art commission.

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

David Sokol: I have only started to familiarize myself with the budget, but feel it is carefully thought out and reasonable.

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

It seems that the question is not what needs to be cut, at this time, but rather, “what are the priorities.”

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

I think that there has to be a very careful examination of the cost of loaning out music CDs, and DVDs, losses, and covering those expenses through fees.

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

Yes, at the last Board meeting, which I attended, the whole area of phone applications was addressed.

Does the WiFi connection for patrons need to be upgraded?

It seems to work adequately, when I’ve tried it. But, it is not something I’ve looked into.

What are you currently reading?

My book club just finished a group of short stories by Alice Munro. More professionally, I am reading a history of modern design.

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

I do tutoring at the library, in the “literacy volunteers of America” program, and I use the materials for adult readers. However, I don’t have a feel for how extensive or deep those materials are, yet.

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

Oak Parkers are not shy about voicing their concerns, and I know that I have been contacted by several people about their concerns and interests, as soon as it became known that I was a candidate for the library board. The on-line potential for communication is there, but any service organization can always make other opportunities for communication.

Please assess the library facilities. Do any need improving?

I have heard from a couple of people about the branch libraries, and have to get to understand the potential there, the cost benefit, and how to deal with the space limitations.

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

I strongly feel that we need a lot more intergovernmental cooperation in a Village in which all taxing bodies but the High School are coterminous. I believe that there can be substantial savings to all of us, where we to do purchasing of items both large and small, across those taxing bodies.  I also feel that we can do much more in sharing technology, and the library is already advanced enough in that area to provide leadership.

In terms of qualifications, first of all,  I use the library a lot. I borrow novels for my book club; I do my tutoring in the small rooms on the third floor; I have done research at the library for the books I write; I attend lectures; I view the art exhibits. I worked in a public library while in college and graduate school; I have served as a library rep for my academic department while still teaching; I have other board experience in Oak Park that helps give me a feel for the community.