Jonathan Passman: Vernon Area Library Board Candidate

Name: Jonathan Passman

Age: 40

Family: Married with two children

Education: B.S. in International Business from Villanova University, M.S. in Knowledge Management from Dominican University.

Occupation: Operations Manager

Previous Elected or Appointed Offices: None 

Other community involvement: Volunteer with District 102 PTO.

Position sought: Board of Trustees – Vernon Area Public Library District

Campaign E-mail address: None

Campaign committee: None

Campaign Website: None

Campaign Facebook: None

Campaign Twitter: None 

Why are you running?

I was looking for a way to give back to the community that has served me so well since moving here in 2003. Given my love for the library, my children’s rapidly growing interest in the library, and a graduate degree from a school of library science, I felt this was a great fit.

In what ways would the library district benefit from your service?

I feel the current board has done an excellent job, but I think there’s a demographic of younger families that has been underrepresented the last few years. I think I can bring a fresh set of eyes and ears with no hidden agendas.

What is the biggest challenge the library faces and what should be done to address it?

In this new digital age, the biggest challenge is relevance. The older ways of a reference desk and print circulation is being replaced by electronic databases and e-books. The library still can serve a purpose in the community, though the social purposes are taking on a much larger share.

What do you think the library does well?

The library has done a very good job about sensing where technology is going and adapting accordingly. The recent renovations to add additional electric capabilities are a perfect example – more patrons are bringing in their tablets and notebooks, and they need power and network capabilities.

What should be some of the library district’s priorities over the next six years?

Technology changes so rapidly, that it’s most important to stay current, or ahead of, the new trends. The iPad is only three years old – who is to say what we will be using three years from now, let alone six? I do think the library needs to also consistently look at their social spaces – a new café area is coming as part of this new renovations, but are vending machines enough of a draw to continue to be a meeting place for the community?

What else would you like voters to know? 

I look forward to serving them and hope to have their vote.