Name: Kendra Beard
Office: Board President
Term: 2011-2015
Kendra Beard is serving her third term on the Board of Trustees. Professionally her background is in public policy, especially environmental policy issues, sustainability, and economic development. She has served on a number of area nonprofit and civic boards.
1. How long have you lived in Lincolnwood? Where did you grow up?
I moved here in 1997, so about 14 years now. I grew up in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and I was one of the odd people that kept moving east. I ended up getting a masters degree from the Harris School of Public Policy Studies at the University of Chicago and then stayed here.
2. What do you think has been the biggest accomplishment of the Board of Trustees during your tenure?
I think the best thing we’ve done is that we’ve really kept our fiscal health in order. We’ve been able to provide good library services to the community while understanding that the people who pay for our facilities and everything we do are the taxpayers and that’s who we’re here to serve. The Library Board has been interesting in that we have one common purpose: to have the best library we can for our community.
3. What is your favorite thing about the Lincolnwood community? What are some of your outside interests?
Location location location. You’re not too far from downtown, you’re not too far from anything on the North Shore or getting out to the North or the Northwest. We’re really close to the forest preserve, and you get the benefits of the suburbs and benefits of living in the city because it’s all right there. I also love the fact that Lincolnwood is such a diverse community. I see what an amazing experience that has been for my kids especially. I think they’ve grown up and are very accepting of people in spite of differences. It’s a way of looking at the world that’s such an advantage.
4. What is your favorite resource or program that the Library offers?
We do so many wonderful things. When I submitted my application for election to the Board of Trustees, I wrote that I wanted to work on more effective ways of interacting with kids after school. I’m proud that we have done things to engage the kids and I think we’re doing it in a great way. To see that be embraced by the community is such a benefit to all of us. We’re doing really amazing things with what we have to offer.
