Search for New Orland Library Board Member Remains Open

The Orland Park Public Library Board of Trustees has an open seat available since former board president Carole Hillman resigned citing health reasons.

The six current board members will have to appoint a seventh member, who will serve the remainder of Hillman’s term until April 2015. Prospective candidates are asked to submit a resume and a letter of intent to run. Those selected will then go through an interview process with current board members, according to library board president Nancy Healy.

“I went through a similar process in 2007,” Healy said.

A cutoff for applicants has not yet been established.

At least five people have submitted letters of intent and resumes electronically, though a full number of candidates was not available Thursday.

Among those running is Linda Zec-Prajka, a former Orland Park Public Library IT employee who ran in the April 2013 election, where incumbents Diane Jennings and Catherine Morrisey-Lebert were re-elected.  

Zec-Prajka wrote in an email that if chosen her main priority will be to establish a strict no-pornography policy at the library, and develop a different public relations strategy.

“They need to put the brakes on their current crisis management-style, as all they have been doing is stirring the pot, instead of settling it,” she wrote. “People are simply shocked that Orland Park Library has allowed the porn, and chose to hide it from the public.”

Among changes put into effect since the debate over filtering and pornography at the library began, the Orland Park Public Library decided out-of-town patrons would need to pay $3 for an hour of Internet use, along with leaving a photo ID with staff.

The two Internet express stations will remain free to use for 15 minutes of web access.

Further changes to library policy, especially regarding increased filtering of computers, will not likely be voted on until a seventh trustee is in place.

Those interested in applying for the open board seat should send a resume and letter of intent to board president Nancy Healy at nhealy@orlandparklibrary.org. Applicants can also mail or drop off materials at the library. The address is:

14921 Ravinia Ave., Orland Park, IL 60462

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