matthew thomas pasko
Wilmette Public Library Board
candidate video
responses to voter guide questions
Introduction:
I am Matthew Thomas Pasko and I am running to be a Wilmette Public Library Board of Trustee in the April 1, 2025 election. I am thirty-one years old and am a private investor. I have a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from the University of Illinois at Chicago where I also worked in a lab studying nanoparticles. While in university I also served in student government and the University of Illinois at Chicago Senate. I am a data driven and analytical individual and I hope to use these skills to continue supporting the financial health of the library as well as look for ways on how the library can better serve the community. The reason I am running is because I want to give back to an institution that has given me so much since I received my first library card when I was five years old. I have been coming back to the same library for 26 years and over the past few years I have been going to the library at least once every other week because for me it has been an invaluable resource for school and life, and above all enjoyment.
Questions
1. The main challenge as well as the main priority of the Wilmette Public Library is the same that all libraries are facing today which is how do they remain relevant in a society that is becoming increasingly digital and moving away from the traditional library model of going in and checking out physical items. Fortunately, we have been able to be somewhat immune to this trend, perhaps thanks to our location with multiple schools and large demographic of both young and older residents, typically the most active users of libraries in general. Additionally, we have an excellent management team and board of trustees who have been adapting to the times. That does not mean that we can rest on our laurels, while at the same time we should also be looking at how to engage those in the 18-40 age range to still want to use the library.
2. A trustee’s purpose is to ensure that the tax revenue that is collected from residents living in the district is used in the most effective and efficient manner. The most recent major repairs were done in 2021, but the current building is getting older every year and realistically we have to assume that there will be repairs that will be necessary in the future. We have to be sure that we have enough savings to cover these concerns so we do not have to take out a loan to address them if they become an emergency. We should also look at ways to be proactive to make smaller repairs now if possible, so as to avoid more costly ones down the road. Also, we need to realize that with the changing needs of the community the library needs to be flexible and will have to acquire additional materials in order to better serve the residents, which will require additional costs. Fortunately the library does have some savings and it is my belief that with prudent fiscal management and long term planning, while continuing on the work of the Strategic Success Plan, we can ensure that the library will continue to be a success. It will be my goal as trustee to ensure the library has the resources it needs to continue to be successful, while not seeking nor expecting a raise in property taxes.
3. Transparency and community outreach is one of the most critical points of any elected office and is incredibly important when it comes to what residents want out of their library. The library has done and I would continue seeking ways to engage with the community through the numerous events the library currently offers. It is my hope residents will feel open to expressing their concerns and feedback in a variety of ways such as annual surveys, suggestion boxes, an annual town hall meeting, attendance at board meetings, and I would encourage residents to email me directly. I also support continuing the practice of uploading all documents related to board meetings to the library website and meeting videos on YouTube so residents are well informed about what is happening with their library. I would also like to continue supporting the good work that the Friends of the Wilmette Public Library do with community engagement, especially their reading clubs and Wilmette Reads program.
4. The library has had a long history of taking sustainability seriously and using energy in an efficient manner. The installation of four geothermal wells for heating and cooling in 2015 is a good example of this as well as more recently the addition of a EV charging station in the library’s parking lot. Of course there are always opportunities to continue to improve, one such incident came up at the most recent board meeting (1-21-25) in regards to maintenance on the fireplace on the first floor and a more energy efficient electric fireplace was viewed as an ideal replacement. Working with the Sustainability Coordinator on future repairs and how to make them more sustainable would be a good place to focus so we can ensure we are leaving a resilient, environmentally sustainable, and ultimately a cost effective library for current and future generations of residents.
I am Matthew Thomas Pasko and I am running to be a Wilmette Public Library Board of Trustee in the April 1, 2025 election. I am thirty-one years old and am a private investor. I have a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from the University of Illinois at Chicago where I also worked in a lab studying nanoparticles. While in university I also served in student government and the University of Illinois at Chicago Senate. I am a data driven and analytical individual and I hope to use these skills to continue supporting the financial health of the library as well as look for ways on how the library can better serve the community. The reason I am running is because I want to give back to an institution that has given me so much since I received my first library card when I was five years old. I have been coming back to the same library for 26 years and over the past few years I have been going to the library at least once every other week because for me it has been an invaluable resource for school and life, and above all enjoyment.
Questions
1. The main challenge as well as the main priority of the Wilmette Public Library is the same that all libraries are facing today which is how do they remain relevant in a society that is becoming increasingly digital and moving away from the traditional library model of going in and checking out physical items. Fortunately, we have been able to be somewhat immune to this trend, perhaps thanks to our location with multiple schools and large demographic of both young and older residents, typically the most active users of libraries in general. Additionally, we have an excellent management team and board of trustees who have been adapting to the times. That does not mean that we can rest on our laurels, while at the same time we should also be looking at how to engage those in the 18-40 age range to still want to use the library.
2. A trustee’s purpose is to ensure that the tax revenue that is collected from residents living in the district is used in the most effective and efficient manner. The most recent major repairs were done in 2021, but the current building is getting older every year and realistically we have to assume that there will be repairs that will be necessary in the future. We have to be sure that we have enough savings to cover these concerns so we do not have to take out a loan to address them if they become an emergency. We should also look at ways to be proactive to make smaller repairs now if possible, so as to avoid more costly ones down the road. Also, we need to realize that with the changing needs of the community the library needs to be flexible and will have to acquire additional materials in order to better serve the residents, which will require additional costs. Fortunately the library does have some savings and it is my belief that with prudent fiscal management and long term planning, while continuing on the work of the Strategic Success Plan, we can ensure that the library will continue to be a success. It will be my goal as trustee to ensure the library has the resources it needs to continue to be successful, while not seeking nor expecting a raise in property taxes.
3. Transparency and community outreach is one of the most critical points of any elected office and is incredibly important when it comes to what residents want out of their library. The library has done and I would continue seeking ways to engage with the community through the numerous events the library currently offers. It is my hope residents will feel open to expressing their concerns and feedback in a variety of ways such as annual surveys, suggestion boxes, an annual town hall meeting, attendance at board meetings, and I would encourage residents to email me directly. I also support continuing the practice of uploading all documents related to board meetings to the library website and meeting videos on YouTube so residents are well informed about what is happening with their library. I would also like to continue supporting the good work that the Friends of the Wilmette Public Library do with community engagement, especially their reading clubs and Wilmette Reads program.
4. The library has had a long history of taking sustainability seriously and using energy in an efficient manner. The installation of four geothermal wells for heating and cooling in 2015 is a good example of this as well as more recently the addition of a EV charging station in the library’s parking lot. Of course there are always opportunities to continue to improve, one such incident came up at the most recent board meeting (1-21-25) in regards to maintenance on the fireplace on the first floor and a more energy efficient electric fireplace was viewed as an ideal replacement. Working with the Sustainability Coordinator on future repairs and how to make them more sustainable would be a good place to focus so we can ensure we are leaving a resilient, environmentally sustainable, and ultimately a cost effective library for current and future generations of residents.