New Lenox Public Library District Candidate: Michelle DeBella Monbrod

Running as a candidate for the New Lenox Public Library District Board of Trustees is Michelle DeBella Monbrod. She is a newcomer looking to volunteer his service to the community. Monbrod has been actively involved in The Friends of the New Lenox Library.

Library trustees serve a 6-year term of office.

Get to know Monbrod: 

Family: Husband Dennis J. Monbrod, 4 kids:  Danie, Melanie, Stefanie and Dylan. 

Education: Legal Stenographic degree as well as an Associate of Science from MVCC

Occupation: Homemaker and Volunteer

What sets you apart from the other candidates?

As I have said, I have been the Pres. of the Friends for the past four years.  In this role I have been involved in different aspects of our library district, including the hiring of the new Library Director.  I have been a volunteer at the library for the past five years and I have knowledge of how things work around there.  I have had many excellent and meaningful interactions with the Board and Staff.

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

I would like us open on Sundays.  Saturday hours on Sunday.  I think that would benefit many in our community.  We need to find a way.

Why Are You Seeking Office?

I have been the President of the Friends of the Library for the past 4 years.  In such a capacity I have helped to raise close to $20,000 with various fundraisers including the annual Spring Arts Festival which was founded when I took office back in January 2009.  This is the next logical step in my capacity as a volunteer of the New Lenox Public Library District.

What are the biggest issues facing the library district?

The two issues that I hope to enhance while I am in the post would be keeping up with technology.  This is a fast moving world and we need to keep pace with it.  The Friends have helped to cover the cost of some of that upkeep.  The other issue is striving to be open on Sundays.  I think that it is great that we are now open on Fridays again, but for some in our community, Sundays are the only days they have to get school reports, projects and peaceful studying done in our busy lives.  I think Sunday is that ideal day.

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

 The Library Board has been very fiscally responsible over these past years.  And again I go back to the fund raising efforts of the Friends.  Last year's Spring Arts Festival profited $6,500.  All of that money went to he Library to help defer costs for technology and the like.  I am hoping that fund raising will continue through the coming years.  And all of that fund raising wouldn't be possible if not for the generous people of New Lenox who have attended these past 4 events.

What programs would you like to see expanded or enhanced?

The Library has many wonderful programs throughout the year.  Sometimes there is a ton of interest.  Sometimes there are only a few attendees who benefit from these great programs.  The programs need to continue to be current and in the interest of the people in the library district. The current Library Staff has their finger on the pulse of our community.  They see first hand what our patrons are interested in and what has become passe.   We would only be limited by our imagination and te cost of the program.  Many programs over the years have been sponsored by the Friends of the New Lenox Public Library.

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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