Colin Bird-Martinez

candidate for 2025 OAK PARK LIBRARY board

1. What motivates you to seek this office? What skills do you bring to the office? What sets you apart from other candidates? What does success look like for you after four years in the position?

I love this community, and serving as a trustee is my way of giving back. I want to make sure the Oak Park Public Library stays a welcoming, vibrant space for everyone. I bring over a decade of experience in management consulting and strategic planning, having worked at S&P Global and Boston Consulting Group. Today, I work in strategic planning for a major automaker, focusing on smart budgeting and efficiency—skills that will help keep our library strong.

What makes me different? I grew up in Oak Park. My family has been here for 38 years. As a kid, I spent hours at Maze Library, and in high school, the Main Library was my go-to spot for studying and meeting friends. I know firsthand how much the library means to our community, and I want to make sure it stays that way for future generations.

In four years, success means restoring trust between the board and the public. I’ll work to make sure the board is transparent, clear, and easy to engage with—so every resident feels heard, informed, and confident in the library’s future.

2. What do you see as the three biggest challenges or opportunities facing the Library  and what role do you see the Board playing to address them over the next four years?

One of the biggest challenges the library faces right now is leadership. Without an Executive Director, a lot of important decisions are stuck in limbo, and our directors and managers are stretched thin, picking up extra responsibilities on top of their already demanding jobs.

As a trustee, my priority would be to make sure the new ED starts off strong and stays accountable. That means reviewing policies, updating what needs fixing, and making sure we have clear goals and regular check-ins to keep things on track. The board’s job isn’t to micromanage—it’s to make sure the library is running smoothly and serving the community the way it should. By putting the right oversight and policies in place, we can set up the new leadership—and the library—for long-term success.

3. What is your decision making process? What are steps the Board can take to ensure transparency, clear communication, and community engagement to ensure the Board is hearing from the full range of the Library’s constituents?.

My decision-making process is pretty simple: start with an idea, consider all the options, and test them against real data to see what actually works. In my work as a consultant, I’ve led focus groups, surveys, and interviews to understand what people need and how to create solutions that last.

When it comes to transparency, communication, and community engagement, I believe in working directly with people—whether it’s local schools, nonprofits, or businesses. As a trustee, I’d make sure we’re having real conversations with community leaders and elected officials so that the library stays connected to the people it serves.

The Board can do even more to bring people into the conversation by hosting more community events, strengthening outreach, and making communication easier and more accessible. Our library already does a great job with this, and my goal would be to build on that success and make sure the community's voice is heard.

4. Please share your thoughts about the Library’s current financial picture.What’s your understanding of the Board role in the budgeting process and the allocation of resources? Do you have organizational finance experience?

The Board periodically reviews and approves the library’s budget and audits. The Executive Director and Finance team put together a budget, and the Trustees make sure it makes sense—asking questions, providing oversight, and sometimes making adjustments. While the library had a big deficit in past years, the FY2025 budget is back on track, which is great news.

I bring real experience in finance and budgeting. I serve on the Financial Advisory Committee at Oak Park Township and as Vice President at Bickerdike Redevelopment Corporation, where we manage over 250 buildings and multiple midrise developments. In both roles, I’ve worked on budgets, audits, and performance reviews, making sure resources are used wisely and for the greatest impact.

5. What would you say to voters who are worried about Oak Park’s overall tax burden?

I know a lot of Oak Park residents are worried about high property taxes, and that’s fair. But it’s important to remember that the library makes up only a small slice of your tax bill—and for that, we get a huge return. The library provides free books, technology, job resources, community programs, and a safe place to learn and connect—things that benefit everyone.

As a trustee, I’d make sure every dollar is spent wisely so we get the most out of our budget without adding unnecessary strain on taxpayers.

6. How do you define equity? Have recent discussions in the larger community and or at the national level informed or changed your thinking? 

Equity means ensuring everyone has fair access to resources by removing barriers. The Oak Park Public Library has shown its commitment by supporting people facing homelessness, health challenges, low income, and other vulnerabilities. Its Book Sanctuary status is a stand against censorship, but right now, that freedom is under serious threat.

Across the country, politicians are banning books, cutting library funding, and even threatening staff—not just with words, but through lawsuits and violence. With Trump back in office, libraries could face direct federal pressure to ban LGBTQIA+ content and other diverse voices. This isn’t just speculation—it’s already happening in states like Florida and Texas.

As a trustee, I’ll fight to keep our library a safe, inclusive space by upholding its anti-racism and equity policies, protecting funding, and resisting censorship at every level. It’s also critical that trustees are vocal advocates, making sure the library’s needs are represented at the Village, County, State, and even federal level. That means showing up—whether it’s lobbying officials, joining protests, or taking action to defend intellectual freedom.

Oak Park has always been a leader in standing up for what’s right, and I’ll make sure our library stays at the forefront of that fight.

7. What do you see as the role of the Library in responding to the ever-changing ways in which people find and consume information? 

I believe that traditional library services and new technologies each play a vital role in serving our community. New technologies should be seen as an additive—enhancing what we already do well—rather than a replacement for our collections or services.

On one hand, our core mission—providing access to books, educational and cultural events, research materials, and a safe, welcoming space—remains essential. On the other, integrating new technologies, such as digital collections, makerspaces, and tech literacy programs, allows us to meet the evolving needs of our community.

8. In recent years, the Library has replaced security guards with social workers, increased salaries for its lower-waged workers, and eliminated late fees for borrowers. Please share your thoughts about these initiatives. Are there ways in which you would anticipate expanding or rolling back this work?  

I think these changes make a lot of sense. Replacing security guards with social workers means that people who are struggling can get the help they need instead of just being kicked out. Raising wages for lower-paid workers is just the right thing to do—fair pay means happier staff, better service, and a stronger library. And getting rid of late fees? That’s a no-brainer. Nobody should have to choose between paying a fine and checking out a book.

I’d look at how to build on this. Maybe that means giving social workers more support, making sure staff have the training and resources they need, or finding more ways to remove barriers so everyone feels welcome at the library.

9. What approach should the Library take towards intergovernmental cooperation initiatives such as the Collaboration for Early Childhood? Are there other specific initiatives that you would like to implement or expand upon? 

I understand that the Oak Park Public Library was an early sponsor of the Collaboration for Early Childhood, and I think that’s exactly the kind of initiative we need to build on. Programs that support young learners and their families strengthen both the library and the wider community.

Beyond early childhood, I’d like to see the library expand partnerships with organizations focused on housing and social services, such as the Oak Park Housing Authority, Oak Park Residence Corporation, the Oak Park Regional Housing Center, and Housing Forward. Strengthening these connections would ensure that people facing housing challenges have better access to resources, information, and community support through the library.

10. What approach should the Library take towards intermunicipal cooperation with neighboring communities? Are there specific initiatives that you would like to implement or expand upon?

Given the current political climate, there’s strength in numbers. The library doesn’t exist in a bubble—it’s part of a larger network of libraries and public institutions. Teaming up with neighboring communities can help protect funding, expand resources, and push back against censorship efforts.

11. How do you see services and supports for homeless patrons fitting within the mission of the Library?

The library is one of the few places where everyone is welcome, no questions asked—and that includes people experiencing homelessness. It’s more than just books; it’s a lifeline for internet access, job searches, social services, and a sense of community. I’d love to see the library expand partnerships with local housing and social service organizations to connect more people with the right support.

12. How should the Library handle the question around the removal of books, subscriptions, and materials from the shelves if community members deem the content to be inappropriate, too controversial or objectionable? 

I am against banning books. The OPPL has already passed several resolutions protecting intellectual freedom, which align with my values—especially initiatives like the Book Sanctuary Community. I would assess the effectiveness of these policies and consider whether they need to be further strengthened to ensure that our commitment to open access to ideas is maintained.

13. Knowing that the Board cannot share certain information related to employment matters, what measures do you believe are needed to restore confidence in the Board and the executive level management in the wake of the controversy around the executive director last year? 

One big step in rebuilding trust is talking with the community more—not just through formal statements, but real conversations. That means not just regular updates, but actual listening sessions where people can ask questions and share concerns. Trustees should also be present at local events, talking to residents, and staying connected to what’s on people’s minds. People don’t expect every answer, but showing up, listening, and being open goes a long way in easing frustration and restoring confidence.

14. The Library Board’s primary responsibility is oversight of the Executive Director. What criteria do you believe the Board should use to evaluate the performance of the Executive Director?

The Board’s job isn’t just oversight—it’s about setting the Executive Director up for success with clear communication and a solid onboarding plan. A good ED should support staff, keep the library accessible and welcoming, and manage the budget responsibly. They should lead with transparency, listen to the community, and make sure resources are being used wisely.

15. Last November, Oak Park voters overwhelmingly approved a ballot initiative that proposed that voters be able to approve ordinances and policies through a direct vote. At this point, the vote on the ballot initiative was advisory or non-binding. The next step is for the Village or any other taxing body in Oak Park (as reported by the Wednesday Journal November 7, 2024) to decide whether or not to place the issue on the ballot as a binding referendum. Please share your views on this initiative. 

I’ve been a strong supporter of participatory budgeting and have seen firsthand how direct democratic participation can empower communities. In Chicago, I worked with a group of local parents at an elementary school to rally support for much-needed capital funds in their ward. While not exactly the same as this initiative, it reinforced my belief that residents should have a direct say in important decisions.

For a town the size of Oak Park, I’d want to make sure any policy is structured in a way that balances direct voter input with the role of elected trustees. A well-designed process should enhance community engagement while ensuring that governing bodies can still lead.

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