(Editor's Note: Both candidates who are running for the position of trustee of the Great Neck Library were asked to submit a statement for the Record and were given a maximum of 500 words to introduce themselves to the community. Their submissions follow. In coming weeks, we will submit questions to them to assist the voters in knowing their positions on important issues. - CF) I recently moved to Great Neck with my husband and four children and look forward to being an active member of the community. We have quickly become weekly visitors to the library and have been enjoying the wonderful children's programs. As a member of the board my goal would be to ensure that the library serves the needs of all members of our community through its programming, physical space utilization and by keeping up with rapidly changing technology. As a construction manager with over 10 years of experience I would be honored to help facilitate the renovation of our library so that it serves the needs of all the residents of our community today and for future generations.

I have been a regular patron of the Great Neck Library system throughout my 17 years as a Great Neck resident. When I was a law student, the Great Neck libraries were my quiet haven for study. When I became a mother, the Great Neck libraries were where my infant children and I played and sang together in the "Mommy & Me" program. Now that my daughters are preteens, we still visit the library together as often as once a week. My girls are voracious readers and I believe this is due in no small part to the dedicated and welcoming librarians who assisted me in showing my children all that can be discovered through books. I care deeply about the Great Neck libraries and will do all I can to ensure that they continue to offer an environment and activities that will appeal to residents in all stages of life.

I have been closely following the debates and arguments among members of the board regarding our library's future, and I believe that we need a board that is willing to work together to forge a common vision for much needed upgrades to the main library's physical plant. Those who seek public office should be prepared both to compromise and to put aside their own narrow interests for the sake of the public good. We cannot allow our cherished public resources such as libraries to fall into disrepair while issues are endlessly debated. In all matters, there is a time for deliberation to end and for decisions to be made.

Through my long history of involvement in this community, I have proven myself adept at bringing together people with diverse viewpoints and ideas in pursuit of common goals. From serving as co-president of the Temple Israel Pre-School PTA to running the School Store Program at Elizabeth M. Baker School, I have been known as the person who can be counted on to help all concerned reach a consensus for action. This is the quality that I most hope to bring to the Great Neck Library Board of Trustees.

The years ahead promise to be exciting and challenging for the Great Neck Library and all of its patrons and supporters as we face important questions as to how we can best meet the needs of our changing district. I strongly believe that the Great Neck libraries are and should continue to be a welcoming place for young and old alike, as well as a point of pride for our diverse community. I consider it particularly important that the interests and concerns of the entire library district be represented.

We are fortunate to be living in a time when personal technology has brought previously unimaginable quantities of information directly to our homes. We must take care, however, not to allow our technology to isolate us from our friends and neighbors. Providing suitable public places for everyone to gather is the best way to ensure that we remain a vital and integrated community.