2017 Election: Kyle Stone, Deerfield Library Board Trustee

Name: Kyle Stone

Age: 34

Town of residence: Deerfield

Position sought: Village of Deerfield Library Trustee

Family: Wife, Lauren, and sons, Jack (2.5 years) and Sam (11 months).

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?:

I serve as the General Counsel of the Illinois Department of Public Health — its Chief Legal Officer. My wife, Lauren, works as a Senior Manager in Corporate Social Responsibility at Walgreens, where she crafts the company’s strategies to ensure its role as a responsible corporate citizen, with a net-positive impact around the globe.

Education:

Loyola Chicago School of Law, Chicago, IL — Law degree

University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI — Undergraduate degree with High Honors in History, recipient of the “John A. Williams” award for Best American History Thesis by the Michigan Department of History

Occupation: Attorney, 9 years.

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Position:

Despite having served on numerous boards and working in public service, I have never held elected office.

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Community libraries nationwide face a similar challenge: combatting the misconception that the public library is becoming obsolete — especially among younger adults. Due to handheld technology and a surplus of modern forms of entertainment, libraries must battle to remain relevant, and Deerfield is no different. The solution: expanding and improving outreach to our community, to ensure our residents are more familiar with the breadth of library services, and fruits of their tax dollars. I have several ideas to improve outreach. Among them are: 1) offering short, informal library tours for all new residents, 2) offering programming for neglected constituencies, like grandparents (focusing on education strategies for their grandkids) and adults with learning disabilities, 3) conducting a review on programmatic needs to isolate what’s working and what isn’t, and 4) teaming up with community stakeholders to identify mutual interests and goals. I am confident that setting modest, cost-neutral, achievable goals will improve awareness, use, and pride in our library.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I will bring a different perspective — both personally and professionally — to the Library Board, than that of my competitors. Personally, I am the only young parent and parent to young children on the ballot. Youngsters are the lifeblood of a community library, and I’d like provide some balance to a board with few parents to school-age children. Professionally, I have served on numerous boards, reflecting my commitment to public service and record of effectuating change. I presently serve as Chairman of the Chicago Young Leadership Council for the American Israeli Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) and as a member of the Deerfield Village Caucus Nominating Committee. I previously served as a member of the Auxiliary Board for Northwestern Memorial Hospital. This dynamic history helps equip me to succeed on the Deerfield Public Library Board of Trustees.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)?

My opponents, including the incumbents, are decent people who are volunteering their time and energy to contribute to our small community. I am uninterested in criticizing them and would rather focus my campaign on promoting my passion for Deerfield’s terrific library and qualifications for serving in the Trustee role.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform:

As a Deerfield Library Trustee, I will work to ensure that the library maintains its excellent services. I pledge to champion: 1) Fiscal Responsibility, 2) Increased Efficiencies, and 3) Expanding outreach efforts and partnerships with community stakeholders.

If you gain this position, what accomplishment would define your term in office as a success?

I intend to accomplish the following as a Deerfield Public Library Trustee:

- Reduce the rate of increase in the annual budget, or reduce it altogether, as appropriate
- Expand Board visibility in community and forge closer Library partnerships with community organizations and stakeholders
- Devise and execute smarter outreach efforts, to ensure entire community feels empowered to enjoy library services
- Increase fundraising role for Board through work with Friends of the Deerfield Library

Please share with voters a story about wisdom gained from a mistake you made in your life or career.

As a person who's comfortable speaking before crowds and having my voice be heard, earlier in my career I didn't fully appreciate the value of listening to colleagues and appreciating their perspective. I failed to appreciate that rarely are the most positive change-makers the loudest folks in a room. I learned that humility is a virtue always worth embracing.

Why should voters trust you?

I have a track record of public service and distinction through my professional and personal endeavors. Serving my community is not new for me; it’s part of my fiber. As a young camper I was taught to always leave the camp sight in better condition than when I found it. I live by this credo.

Share a quote that defines your philosophy:

“Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it means to sit down and listen” - Often attributed to Winston Churchill

What questions should be asked of current government employees accountable to your board?

What is the library doing best, and where are the areas of improvement?

Are there areas of cost savings that you can identify? Along similar lines, are there any areas prone to waste?

What type of role are you willing to play with potential improvements?

What kind of feedback do you hear from the community and patrons, and why, in your opinion, is this feedback meaningful?

Explain your attitudes toward fiscal policy, government spending and how taxpayer dollars should be handled by your office (or board)?

A Library Board Trustee has a fiduciary duty to the Village to responsibility and judicious with municipal funds. It’s the most serious and significant aspect of a Trustee’s role. Spending is only appropriate when doing so fulfills a recognized need that both coincides with the Library’s stated mission and is in keeping with public will.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

As Chief Legal Officer for a 1,200-employee agency, I have extensive experience managing a bureaucratic organization, which includes finding and executing solutions to budgeting, managing personnel, and addressing legal concerns. Along with my experience serving on numerous boards, I am qualified to step into a Library Board Trustee role.

The best advice ever shared with me was ...

To focus on listening to others, instead of merely preparing for a chance to speak. One’s relationships and productivity, both personal and professional, are strengthened when we commit to listening instead of talking.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I’m running for the Deerfield Library Board because I love our library and would like to contribute to its wonderful story. I thank you for reading these answers and (hopefully) supporting me.

Photo submitted by Kyle Stone