Michigan's Portage District Library Has a Competitive Race for Library Board Seats

Candidates seek seats on Kalamazoo area library boards.. (Kalamazoo Gazette, 4/30/2011)

Excerpt:  

The Portage race has seven candidates for four four-year terms. The candidates are:

• Michele Behr, 47, an off-campus librarian at Western Michigan University. Her top priorities if elected are to ensure fiscal responsibility, enhance electronic and remote services, and improve cooperation with the public school system. 

• Bruce Bejcek, 55, WMU professor of biological sciences. His top priorities are fiscal responsibility; maintaining and expanding library services as much as possible, and ensuring the library stays abreast of technological advances

• Stephanie K. Brown, 32, former teacher and assistant elementary principal who is now raising children. Her top priorities are to become more familiar with the library system, use her background in education to help the library meet the needs of children and families, and maximize use of library dollars.

• Keith Maisto, 60, retired Pfizer scientist. His top priorities are to maintain library information services at current levels, embrace new technology that provide cost efficiencies and better service, and support continued education and improvements for electronic access to library services through the web portal on a 24/7 basis.

• Betty Lee Ongley, 85, retired guidance counselor. Her top priorities are to advocate for libraries with legislators for funding, keep collections up to date, and maintain programs and services for patrons.

• Katy Schoetzow, 25, a small business owner, says her top priorities are to use her “extensive background in nonprofit fundraising to help the library diversify its revenue sources” and advocate for “digitally connected young adults and their use of the library.”

• Joseph E. Yantis, 72, public relations counselor. His top priorities are to assist with setting the library’s vision and strategies, take an active role in  policy-making  and ensure  balance between traditional and electronic media.