Library Board Trustee Bob Tera announced his resignation from the Library Board on January 20.
On January 25, the Library Board sent out a press release announcing Mr. Tera’s resignation and opened up a search for a new Board member. Applications were due February 10. Seven candidates applied for the opening and interviews were scheduled for February 15 and 17 during two Special Library Board meetings. On February 16, one candidate withdrew their application.
To learn more about each candidate, please read their application materials and watch their interviews with the Library Board.
Each candidate was emailed the following questions on February 12 and was asked to answer the questions during their interviews:
- The Library Board meets once a month at 7:30pm, generally the third Monday of the month, except in January when the Board meets on the Wednesday after the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day holiday. Board members are expected to serve on 2 committees that meet monthly, generally late afternoon or early evening. Would you be able to make those commitments?
- What role do you take on or skill sets do you typically use when working in a group? The board is fortunate to have a diverse mix of personalities, strengths, and interests. Which of the following roles on the Board would be a best fit for you: ambassador/advocate, steward to ensure adequate funding, reviewer of policies, evaluator of director, or another role?
- Tell us about your relationship with the library over the last two years, including how often you have used library services, such as checking out materials, attending programs, or using the online catalog or website.
- Do you have new ideas to improve Baldwin’s programs and services to enrich our offerings and better connect to our service area?
- What is a public library’s role in promoting racial equity and inclusion in the community?
- How do you engage with social media and how would you use social media to communicate with the public on important library matters?
- Would you be willing to collect the required signatures and campaign in 2021 to run for the remaining two years of a four-year term that would conclude in November 2023?
- Is there anything else you want us to know about you?
The Library Board will vote to select the next member of the Library Board at a Special Meeting on Tuesday, February 23 at 6:30 p.m. The Library Board welcomes your feedback on each of the candidates.
2021 Library Board Candidate Interviews: Part 1 from Baldwin Public Library on Vimeo.
This first video features candidate interviews from:
Danielle Rumple at 7:33
Alexandra Harris at 29:30
2021 Library Board Candidate Interviews: Part 2 from Baldwin Public Library on Vimeo.
This second set of interviews features candidate interviews from:
Michael Kern at 7:35
Karen Rock at 32:43
Elizabeth Brock 1:04:09
Andrew Landau 1:35:47
Dear Library Board,
Karen Rock is a professional and community interested individual. I’ve had many opportunities to interact with her on both school and neighborhood issues. She is courteous and comfortable in all types of situations. And an avid reader!
Sincerely
Jill Fill
I am sure Karen Rock would make a great board member. I worked with Karen several years at Quarton Elementary, she was well liked, professional and efficient.
We have remained friends for many years and am certain she would be a asset to the library!
I have known Karen Rock since 2000 and been in a book group with her since 2007. I have found her to be an avid reader with very insightful observations about the books we read. She researches possible books for the group and makes excellent recommendations. When our group
strays at times, karen will frequently bring us back to topic with questions about the book. She would be a great addition to any board, as she is also quite dedicated and very reliable.
I strongly support Karen Rock for Library Board Trustee. I have the privilege of knowing Karen in both personal and professional capacities. Her intellect, integrity and work ethic would serve our library and our community well. As a former Trustee of the Birmingham Board of Education, I understand the challenges of public decision making and the importance of active listening and collaboration with fellow Trustees. Karen is open and approachable, steady and strong, all characteristics which make her an ideal Board member. As a community member, Friend of the Baldwin Public Library and sponsor of Books and Bytes I am pleased with the work of your Board, and feel Karen Rock would be an outstanding addition.
I have known Karen Rock for almost 20 years. I think that she would be a great asset to the library board. Karen is compassionate, professional, level headed, fair, generous and an avid reader! I believe she would serve the board well and you would benefit from her contributions.
Karen Rock would be an excellent board member for Baldwin Public Library. She is detailed and research oriented and extremely well organized. As a member of our book club, she is a book lover and always adds to the discussion. I have know Karen for over 20 years. She has a deep connection to our library and it’s importance to the community.
Karen Rock would be a wonderful addition to the Baldwin Public Library Board. As a longtime resident of Birmingham, Karen offers a deep understanding of both the community and the library’s importance to our community. She was the Community School Organizer for 11 years at Quarton School. Karen is a frequent user of our library, a library donor, and a member of Friends of the Library. She has also served on Baldwin Library’s Books and Bites Committee, for 4 or 5 different event years.
I have know Karen for a number of years, and can tell you she is dedicated, very responsible, and well organized. I strongly support and recommend Karen Rock for the Baldwin Library Board.
I strongly support Karen Rock for the position on the library board. I have had the privilege of working with Karen for many years. She is very knowledgeable, well read, and cultured. She is extremely efficient and meticulous to detail. She is a go getter and always looking ahead! She is an approachable person and well liked by all! I can’t think of a better person to fill this position!
I am writing on behalf of Karen Rock as she applies for a position on the Baldwin Public Library Board. I have known Karen for numerous years and the start of our relationship began at Quarton Elementary School. When I began my role as building principal at Quarton, Karen was our Community School Organizer. Karen not only served at Quarton in this roll, but also is a part of the community as she lives in our attendance area and her children attended the school. During her tenure as Community School Organizer, Karen proved herself to be a wonderful asset. She was always willing to assist with any task and was always thinking of the community first. She was a wonderful communicator, extremely efficient, and always was trying to give back to our building and the community at large. Karen didn’t stop assisting Quarton after her retirement. She continued to be an advocate for our school as a member of the Quarton Lakes Estates Association. In addition, she was and continues to always help out by filling in for our office staff during their absence. We always known Quarton is in good hands when Karen is around. I am confident to say the same would apply to the Baldwin Public Library if she is chosen to serve on the Board. I strongly recommend Karen Rock for this position.
I do not know Karen but I trust Sheila Brice’s recommendation as that this candidate is very well qualified.
Karen Rock would make an outstanding Baldwin Library board member. I have know Karen for over 20 years both professionally and personally. She is dedicated, organized and passionate about education and literacy. Karen has great business acumen and understands the importance of maintaining a strong and viable library in our Birmingham community. She is an excellent listener and through her volunteer efforts at Baldwin, she understands the issues it faces in the 21st century. As a consensus builder and leader, Karen would make an excellent board member. I highly support her.