Raymond Schwarzkopf, Candidate For Oak Lawn Public Library Board

OAK LAWN, IL — Raymond Schwarzkopf is running for the Oak Lawn Public Library Board of Trustees. He 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

Raymond Schwarzkopf

Campaign Website

Everybody Loves Raymond For the Library Board

Town/City of Residence

Oak Lawn

Occupation and Years of Experience

Business Manager, Financial Coach, Musician, Teacher with 20+ years of experience in business management, financial literacy education, and community service... and I play music and sing in a Barbershop Quartet!

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No.

Why do you want to serve on the library board?

I believe the Oak Lawn Public Library is one of our community’s greatest assets, and I want to ensure it continues to thrive for all residents. As a long-time advocate for financial literacy and lifelong learning, I see the library as a key resource for education, personal growth, and community engagement. My goal is to help increase library usage, ensure responsible use of taxpayer dollars, and strengthen communication to foster collaboration between leadership, staff, and patrons.

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

"Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action" by Simon Sinek. It explores how people think and why they act (or react) the way they do, and how great leaders can inspire, influence, and create change in community, which ties into my passion for education and community well-being.

How often do you use the library?

My wife and I visit the library regularly, whether for personal use, attending events and classes, or leading financial literacy programs. We co-founded Debt Club, which has helped residents eliminate nearly $500,000 in debt through monthly library-hosted workshops. Additionally, she and I have performed at the Library in a combo for a "Celebration of Women in Jazz" event, and my Barbershop Quartet "Take Note" has also appeared and shared our love of music with Library patrons.

What are your goals for the library?

• Increase library engagement by expanding programs and outreach.
• Ensure funding is used efficiently to maximize resources for patrons.
• Strengthen communication and collaboration between library leadership, staff, and the community.
• Maintain the library as a safe, welcoming, and inclusive space for staff and patrons alike.

What role should a public library play in the community?

A library should be a hub for education, enrichment, and connection. It’s more than just a place for books—it’s a space for learning, cultural exchange, and community-building. The library should provide access to information, technology, and resources that support all residents, from children to seniors.

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

The library’s budget should reflect the needs of the community. One area that could benefit from increased funding is expanding digital resources and technology, ensuring patrons have access to up-to-date tools and research materials. On the other hand, we should continuously evaluate operational expenses to ensure tax dollars are used efficiently. Rather than proposing cuts, my focus is on optimizing spending to get the most value for residents. Some of this has been difficult to evaluate as a resident, so I'm hoping to have more access to information as a trustee and see that it's shared openly and in a user-friendly manner.

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

The library staff is already doing an excellent job providing programming in financial literacy, career development, and lifelong learning. Outreach efforts to underserved groups—including seniors, non-English speakers, and job seekers—are strong, but attendance can be improved. I want to help bridge that gap by making the library more accessible and inviting.
When I talk to residents, I hear a common theme: they want library services to be easier to use. That means:

• A website that is intuitive and user-friendly, making it easy to find information.
• Study rooms that feel comfortable, modern, and conducive to learning.
• An elevator process that is truly senior- and ADA-friendly.
• Meeting rooms that are readily available for residents.
• Reliable internet service that works consistently.

Beyond programming, the key to improving services is fostering a culture where staff feel empowered to solve problems quickly and effectively. When library staff have the tools, processes, and support they need, they can better serve the community.
I’ve spoken with board members and staff at other libraries, and one of them put it best: “No one works at a library for the money—we work here because we love serving the community. The best libraries have systems in place where staff feel connected to patrons, valued by leadership, and take pride in their service.”
Better communication costs very little but pays dividends a hundredfold in results. By strengthening collaboration between leadership, staff, and patrons, we can create a library that truly serves the needs of Oak Lawn.

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

I would hope that it wouldn't take five years. That is the eternal optimist in me. I envision a library that:

• Has increased community engagement through service, programming, and outreach.
• Operates with financial transparency and efficiency to make the most of taxpayer funds.
• Fosters stronger collaboration between leadership, staff, and patrons.
• Serves as a model public library that is welcoming, innovative, and adaptable to changing needs.

How should the library approach curating and managing its collection?

A library’s collection should be diverse, representative, and inclusive of different perspectives. Decisions should be guided by professional librarians, informed by community interests, and based on reputable selection criteria. Transparency and public input are important, but collection decisions should not be driven by political or ideological pressures. Our library does a wonderful job of this, especially because the staff really cares and by being part of the SWAN consortium.

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

A library should have a clear and fair reconsideration policy that allows concerns to be heard while upholding intellectual freedom. Public libraries serve diverse populations, and their collections should reflect a wide range of viewpoints. Materials should be selected based on literary, educational, and cultural value—not censorship or personal preferences.

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?

From what I've seen, our library staff is very caring and does a wonderful job of providing multilingual resources to better serve our diverse community. This includes books, digital materials, and programs in different languages, including partnerships with local organizations to offer language-learning programs and cultural events that foster inclusion and engagement. If they want to do more of any service or program in a manner that is engaging, effective, and responsible, then that is a definite plus for everyone involved.