New Lenox Public Library District Candidate: Louis J. Broccolo

Running as a candidate for the New Lenox Public Library District Board of Trustees is Louis J. Broccolo. He is currently the board president.

Library trustees serve a 6-year term of office.

Get to know Broccolo: 

Family: Son Frank, age 37, and daughter Anna, age 31, married to Brian Bergholm, age 34.

Education: B.A., 1970, History, University of Illinois at Chicago M.A., 1971, American History, University of Illinois at Chicago. Postgraduate: Northwestern University among a number of other schools.

Occupation: Retired history teacher.

A 64-year-old New Lenox resident since 1973.

What sets you apart from the other candidates?

If I'm re-elected I plan to continue to help our library provide first class service to our patrons. I have fiscal responsibility, common sense, the ability to work with others, and experience. I have been honored to serve as a Library Trustee---I think it is an important responsibility and duty. It is a way to serve and give back to the New Lenox community that has given me so much for the last forty years.

What will be your single most important priority if you get elected?

We will continue to review expenses (such as janitorial expenses, energy expenses)  to see where we can save money that can be used for more direct library services. In the last two years we've saved $6,000 in janitorial services, $20,000 on our HVAC, and $2,000 in building maintenance.

Why Are You Seeking Office?

I think I should continue to be a Trustee of the New Lenox Library District because I have done a good, responsible job for a number of years. I think our library is one of the most important institutions in New Lenox and it provides services for all age groups from pre-school to senior citizens. I was part of the team ( staff, citizens, board members) that planned and built our current building, one of the most beautiful public buildings in Will County, AND we did it under budget. We continue to be fiscally responsible and give taxpayers one of the best returns on their tax dollars. As the current board president I have been a good advocate for both the library and the taxpayers; we our now open on Fridays and have added hours on Saturdays.

What are the biggest issues facing the library district?

Going forward I see our biggest issues as how to make the taxpayers dollars be as effective as possible, to be open more hours (hopefully, seven days a week and more hours on our current days), and providing the latest technology to our patrons and keeping current with that technology.

How can you keep spending to a minimum while keeping up with the demand for e-readers and the like?

We are in the process of reviewing how we can refinance our bonds which will also save more money. Since we have reduced the money we spend on our reference collections, we will have more money to buy e-readers, etc.

What programs would you like to see expanded or enhanced?

It's a process that we continually review so that we can better serve the patrons of the New Lenox Library District.

Other pertinent information: 1988 Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching; 2000-2001 Illinois VFW Citizenship Teacher Award Recipient.

The six candidates running for the New Lenox Public Library District Board of Trustees are:

• Gary Suggett 

• Michelle DeBella Monbrod 

• Louis J. Broccolo, current board president

• Mary Susan Zekich 

• Bonnie M. Ulstad 

• James Allen

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