Kieran Kellam​, Candidate For Evergreen Park Library Board

EVERGREEN PARK, IL — Kieran Kellam is running for another term on the Evergreen Park Public Library Board of Trustees. He is one of five candidates running for four seats in this race.

>>> Are you a candidate for local office? Please email Lorraine Swanson, lorraine.swanson@patch.com and we'll send you a candidate questionnaire to feature on Patch.

The consolidated election is April 4.

Read Kellam's answers to the Patch candidate questionnaire below.

Name: Kieran Kellam

Age (as of Election Day): 42

Town/City of Residence: Evergreen Park

Office Sought: Library Trustee

Family: I have been married to my lovely wife, Jordan, for 16 years.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government? My brother, Bob Kellam, serves as a lieutenant in the 22nd district of the Chicago Police Department.

Occupation: I am in my fourteenth year teaching primarily high school civics and history but also English and theology. Currently, I teach at Mt. Carmel High School and have previously taught at St. Rita High School. I have also served as an academic department chair and have experience in building and advancing curricula.

Campaign website or Facebook or other social media: Kellam for EP Library Board.

Previous or current elected or appointed office: NA

The most pressing issues facing the library are _______, and this is what I intend to do about them.

I believe our library board has done an incredible job. Their oversight has led to consistent, responsible maintenance of facilities and offerings. They do so while continuing to grow and advance in unique, effective ways that fulfill the needs of our community. Therefore, the only pressing issue I find is sticking to our current path.

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

As stated, I have been very impressed with our current board. I have been in attendance at the board meetings for the past few months and have met President Kim Shine and Vice President Deborah Pearson. It is evident that they are diligent, mindful leaders who are passionate about our library. In that, I would say we are more similar than different. The other two candidates were not present and I have not met them. I could not speak to any differences.

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

I do not believe the Library Board has failed our community. They are an ardent and devoted group. I share that care for our library and hope to work with them to better our community.

How would you help raise awareness about library services, collections and programs?

Our library has done great work in communicating their services and opportunities to the community. In particular, their social media presence has been impressive. A current focus of the library is in its connection with local schools. I believe this is its greatest area for growth. By apprising administrators, teachers and students of the library’s collections and programs, we are creating opportunities to support educational success and foster a value of lifelong learning. Additionally, we should continue to build a connection with our Office of Citizen Services to ensure our senior citizens are aware of the events and holdings available to them.

What areas of the library collection would you like to see expanded?

The library has been continuing to expand its technology offerings. (The 3D printer is an excellent example.) In that vein, I believe we need to be ever-present of new and advancing technologies. As more and more information is digital or becoming digitized, our online access is going to become increasingly more important. I believe this should include academic and resource databases, as well as streaming media platforms. As we move towards a more connected world, we also have a responsibility to coach our youth on digital citizenship.

Are there any specific areas of the library collection that you like to use? What are they?

In the last few years, I have really embraced audiobooks via Libby. In particular, I listen while I am driving and average a little over a book per week. I find it to be an enjoyable and productive use of that time. Honestly, it has made sitting in traffic go from frustrating to enjoyable. I highly suggest it.

Do you think the current board has done enough to support inclusivity for all community members, and if not, what specifically should be done to do so?

I am not aware of an instance of the board being exclusionary in any way. However, it must continue to be clear that we maintain inclusivity as a paramount value of the library. This is a community-based and community-building institution. Communities are not built on exclusion.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform:

Teachers and parents understand that the pandemic has had a profound impact upon the education of our children. Many students have fallen behind in key academic skills. I hope to find more ways to encourage our library to be a center that students, parents, and schools can lean on for academic support and recovery. By reaching more students, we can help in closing the gap in an evermore competitive educational climate.

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

Financial and policy oversight of the library are the primary responsibilities of the board. My previous experience as an academic department chair and legal assistant have prepared me well to fulfill this role. We need to be mindful of immediate financial needs and responsibilities while also planning long-term growth. I have a bachelor’s degree in political science focused on public administration, and a masters in the art of teaching with years of experience evaluating the ins and outs of public policy.

Why should voters trust you?

I have lived in Evergreen Park for twelve years. My vocation is teaching. I have taught many students from Evergreen Park and the surrounding area over the years. I would encourage you to ask those students and their parents of my integrity, trustworthiness, and commitment to community.

If you win this position, what accomplishment would make your term in office a success?

First, we must continue to excellently maintain our financial stability and facilities. Secondly, we should find more ways to connect with school communities to expand areas of academic support and continue to intentionally reach out to Evergreen Park’s seniors. Thirdly, we should increase our technology offerings as much as possible given restraints and needs. Lastly, we must continue to grow as a community-building institution that provides opportunities for citizens to connect and develop individually and communally.

What are your views on fiscal policy, government spending and the handling of taxpayer dollars in the office you are seeking?

The handling of taxpayer dollars is a responsibility I would take very seriously. I believe our library board has been very judicious in this regard. While we have a duty to offer the very best we can in collections and programming, we also have a duty to do so as efficiently as possible. The library is too critical an institution to be risky or unsound in its finances. More events and holdings will always be wanted. The key will be to be patient and know when the time is right financially.

In what ways can intergovernmental relationships with state, county and other local governmental agencies be strengthened or improved?

The relationship between the library and governmental agencies of any level are critical to its success. Local property taxes certainly cover the bulk of the budget. However, in order to expand events and resources, we should be capitalizing on opportunities for grants and participation in state and county programming.

Is there any reason you would not serve your full term of office, other than those of health or family? I do not foresee any reason why I would not serve a full term of office.

The best advice ever shared with me was: Lead by example.