Patch Candidate Profile: Kristine Oulman For Easton Library Board Of Trustees

EASTON, CT — Election Day on Nov. 4 is fast approaching, and there are a number of key races on the ballot.

Patch reached out to candidates for office to get more information on their campaigns and the issues that are facing their towns.

Candidate's Name:
Kristine Oulman

What office are you seeking?
Library Board of Trustees

What town do you live in?
Easton

Campaign Website

Party Affiliation:
Democrat

Occupation:
Youth Services Coordinator at the Trumbull Library

Family:
Married with three kids. All my kids went through the Easton school system and we have been library users since they were born.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?
No

Previous public office, appointive or elective:
I am currently appointed as the Easton Library Board of Trustees Alternate after the death of another board member.

Why are you seeking this office?
I am seeking this office because I am passionate about libraries and want to help in any way I can. I am especially fond of the Easton Library. It is my town library and my kids grew up checking out bags of books, attending book clubs, and loving the library. When it came time for a second career, I chose librarianship largely due to EPL and the director, Lynn Zaffino.

The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is ____, and this is what I intend to do about it:
Single most pressing issue for libraries is more than a single issue. I would list some of the most important issues as lack of funding, lack of municipal support, and the threat to intellectual freedom and the right to read what we choose.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?
I believe that libraries are crucial to our country and democracy and with my history at the Easton Public Library, I think I would be a good fit for the Board of Trustees.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?
Supporting the library and intellectual freedom.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?
Long history of loving and supporting the library, Masters in Information and Library Science degree. My job as a librarian.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?
Best advice was to go to school to be a librarian. My husband gave me this advice when I was very unsure and it was one of the best decisions of my life.