Karrie Mallo, Candidate For Oak Lawn Public Library Board

OAK LAWN, IL — Karrie Mallo is running for the Oak Lawn Public Library Board of Trustees. She is one of three candidates running for two open seats in the upcoming April 1 election. Term are for six years. Early voting begins March 17.

Your name:

Karrie Mallo

Campaign Contact Email:

Mallo.karrie@outlook.com

Campaign Website:

NA

Town/City of Residence:

Oak Lawn

Occupation and years of experience:

Director of Accounts Receivable. With over 20 years of experience, I have developed a strong understanding of financial systems, customer relations, and effective team management.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government? This includes any relatives who work in the government you're running for.

Yes, my brother-in-law, Paul Mallo is a Village Trustee.

Why do you want to serve on the library board?

I am firmly committed to education, community engagement, and personal growth. I believe the library is a crucial resource to allowing our community access to learning and creating opportunities for individuals to succeed. I hope to play a part in making sure that the library remains a vibrant and accessible resource for all members of the community.

What is the most recent book you read or are reading?

“The Let Them Theory” by Mel Robbins.

How often do you use the library?

When time allows me to.

What are your goals for the library?

I want to better understand the current processes and the board's specific needs. I also hope to contribute to expanding our efforts to meet the needs of our community, from enhancing programs to ensuring proper funding.

What role should a public library play in the community?

The library should be a place where the community can access resources, programs, and spaces to not only find books but also learn new skills and explore their interests. It should also serve as a gathering spot that brings people together through events that foster growth and create connections.

In reference to the library’s budget, what (if any) areas are underfunded, and what areas (if any) require funding cuts? By how much?

I don’t have the answers to this question, but I look forward to working closely with the library and the board to understand the community's needs better and identify any gaps in service. From there, I hope we can collaborate to address these needs and ensure that funding is allocated effectively to support the library’s goals, while also being mindful of potential funding concerns.

What areas of library programming or services should be increased or decreased (if any)?

I can’t claim to know what our community needs without the opportunity to work directly with the library team and the board to review supporting data. It’s not about what I want, but about understanding and responding to the community's needs. We can identify which programs and services should be increased or adjusted to serve everyone best through collaboration.

If you had complete control, what would you like to see the library look like in 5 years?

To ensure the library is a welcoming place for everyone. I’d love to see it as a genuine community base where people of all ages can come together to learn, share ideas, and connect. Most importantly, I want the library to be flexible and continuously adapting to the community's needs.

How should the library approach curating and managing its collection?

By focusing on providing a wide range of books and resources that meet the community’s needs, actively considering feedback from both the community and staff, regularly reviewing the collection, and staying current with trends.

How should the library respond to objections to specific works in the library’s collection?

The library's role is to listen respectfully and ensure the collection remains inclusive, balanced, and accessible to all community members.

The population served by the Oak Lawn Public Library is one of the most diverse, in terms of ethnicity and languages spoken in the home. Should the library increase its collection in different languages? How should the library serve this population?

Yes, the library should work to expand its collection in various languages, but it’s essential to gather data and surveys to understand what the community truly needs. This helps ensure the library is providing the right resources. By using community feedback and data, the library can meet the needs of its diverse population more effectively.