Library Board of Trustees Candidate Jack Donaldson

The Burlington Council on Aging held a candidates forum last week and invited those running for the Burlington Public Library Board of Trustees to speak to the audience and take turns answering questions. The three candidates for the two open spots are incumbents Edith F. Entwistle and Robert Thys and newcomer Jack R. Donaldson.

Each candidate was asked the same questions and given time to respond in turn. We have dedicated an article to each candidate and their answers.

Below are descriptions and quotes from Jack Donaldson’s answers to the questions asked at the forum. Click for Entwistle’s answers and for Thys’s answers.  

The Burlington Town Election is Saturday, April 9 and polls are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Introduction:

Donaldson introduced himself as a 16-year Burlington resident and a professional in the field of marketing sales for promotional products. He is been involved with Burlington Rotary, participating in such programs as their hand-out of dictionaries to third-grade students and has been chair of the Salvation Army for Burlington.

“I am community oriented,” Donaldson said. “I believe in the people and I’m proud of what the library trustees have done in the past. They have made our library one of the best in the state and I hope to be on the board and help keep it that way.”

What are the  current trustees doing well?

Donaldson said he thought the current board did a good job in handling last year’s budget for the library. “Last year they got the budget down over the previous year,” he said.

With so much information on the Internet that used to be available only at libraries, what do you see for the future of the library?

Donaldson acknowledged that many people do use the web for information once found primarily at the library, but stressed that access to computers is not universal.

“A lot of people cannot afford computers and books,” he said, adding that people use the computers at the library to access the Internet, a valuable service. “The information we have at the library is free. A lot of people we serve don’t have opportunities to buy e-readers to download a book. The library is there and it’s free.”

What is the number one issue facing the library today?

Donaldson said one of the most important issues facing the library is how to expand services while balancing costs against the need for a responsible budget.

“One is maintaining what we have, adding to it with personnel and keeping it so the budget works,” Donovan said. “Financing is one of the most important thing we have to worry about.”

Donaldson added he think the library also need to work more to raise awareness in the community of the services it offers and programs it conducts.

“I also think the library will have to change some its roles to be better known to the public,” he said. “There is a lot available but people don’t know about and we need people to see it.”

What sets you apart from other candidates?

“What sets me apart?” Donaldson asked, “I’m not sure there is big or whopping thing that pops out. I’m just a hard-working guy that wants to serve you.  The trustees have done a great job and I hope I can bring a little newer perspective and that’s the only difference between the rest and me. They are great candidates.”

For more information on Donaldson and the other candidates, visit Burlington's Cable Access Television's (BCAT's) Web site for video interviews with each candidate. On BCAT's site, click the category "Government Specials" for the videos.