I believe in transparency and accountability in government. I will investigate ways to enhance communication and interaction between the library board and the public. I am committed to returning calls, responding to emails, and discussing issues. When concerns are brought to my attention by the public, I will discuss them with the board promptly. I believe the library must be vigilant in continually re-assessing the needs and expectations of our large and diverse community. I would like to continue to expand services that our constituents value by creatively seeking alternate sources of revenue and operating our library system in a fiscally responsible manner. I want to keep the library great for today and right for the future.
Click here to view Nadia Sheikh's campaign Facebook page.
Why am I running for Carol Stream Library Trustee? What is my motivation?
This is my 2nd time running for public office. Community service is a virtue that is too often overlooked in today’s busy world. I feel blessed to live in Carol Stream. My motivation for running for library trustee comes from my belief that personal satisfaction comes from working for and with other people. Currently, I am putting my career on hold as a healthcare administrator to take time to raise my 17-month-old daughter. One of the reasons that public service is so appealing to me is the opportunity to work with people from different backgrounds. Undoubtedly, my cultural diversity will be a great asset to the library board.
I believe that accountability and transparency are very important qualities to have in a leader. I promise to always listen to the needs of our constituents and be an enthusiastic advocate for our library within our region and at the state level. I will participate actively in meetings and other library activities and always promote our library. I will stay up-to-date on current local, state, and federal laws impacting the library and be informed of budgetary goals. In addition, I will seek funding to support library services and articulate our needs to local and state government officials.
I have a positive attitude and strong leadership skills to take on challenging projects. The ability to manage time effectively, remain organized, and juggle numerous tasks simultaneously has been vital in my previous roles. I believe that my qualifications along with my drive and enthusiasm would make me a good fit within the library board.
What contributions would I make?
I believe that the qualities the constituents of Carol Stream seek in a library trustee are well matched with the combination of my experience and education. I have a sincere interest in libraries because I spent a majority of my youth studying in libraries in pursuit of higher education. I hold a B.S. in Neuroscience from the University of California, Los Angeles and an Associate’s degree in Chemistry. I hold a Masters in Health Administration from the University of Southern California, School of Policy, Planning, and Development along with a Certificate in the Management of Ambulatory Care Systems.
If I was asked to describe myself in one word, that word would be “driven”. I intend to make sure that the library has the strong operational and financial footing it needs to serve the needs of our community. Communication is key to our success as leaders and I intend to listen to our constituents to find out what they would like to change or what they would like to continue to see happen in our library.
From the wide array of services our library currently offers, it is evident that our library staff is passionate about what it does, cares about the people it serves, and enthusiastic about its facility. All of this creates a positive environment for learning and a group of people I would like to join.
If given the opportunity, my contributions to the library board will be my love of learning and intellectual discussion, my appreciation for laughter and human interaction, and my willingness to lead and to compassionately serve. My actions are based on those principles and give rise to a wide range of experiences that I am willing to share with other people. I look forward to being a board member because it will be a time of growth, a time of learning and maturing, a time of building experiences with other people who care about the same thing– making steps toward healing, trying to better society, and adding some good to the world.
Do I have a library card? How long have I had it? How often do I use it?
What impact have economic and technological changes had on libraries? How does a library remain relevant? How should its role in the community change?
The Internet has revolutionized how we obtain information. However, libraries should not be neglected as they offer so many benefits to our community. Libraries give access to countless books, periodicals, subscriptions to newspapers, magazines, scholarly journals, CD’s, and DVD’s, free of charge to library card-holding patrons. According to the American Library Association, “Public libraries are the number one point of online access for people without Internet connections at home, school, or work”.
In times of economic uncertainty, a library is a very comforting place to go for resources and for a quiet atmosphere. Libraries also offer many valuable programs such reading programs, story hours, crafts, movies, and speakers for our adult and youth population. For people re-entering the workforce or those looking for a career change, the library is an excellent resource. I would like to continue to see our library flourish and offer services that are relevant to today’s society.
Education:
Masters in Health Administration and a Certificate in Management of Ambulatory Care Systems from the University of Southern California, School of Policy, Planning, and Development (USC).
B.S. in Neuroscience from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
Civic involvement:
Almost Home Kids Center Volunteer (a respite center for medically fragile children)
USC Midwest Alumni Club
Wheaton Franciscan Prayer Shawl Ministry
Free Mobile Health Clinic Volunteer
University of Minnesota YMCA Academic/Peer Counselor
Bilingual Teacher’s Aid
Battered Women's Clinic Intervention Project/Crisis Line Advocate
