The Board of Trustees is composed of seven elected members serving staggering terms in the valuable role of stewardship and governance to the Messenger Public Library. Key functions of the Board include advocacy, governance, stewardship to the facility, fiscal responsibility, financial security, and oversight. Board members serve with no compensation and regularly donate time and attention to serve the needs of patrons. You are welcome to visit with the Library Director to learn more information about the role of a Trustee or find out more information about the mission and vision of a public library. Please visit our current Library Board Page.
The Library does not promote or endorse an individual candidate. We provided sample question prompts to candidates, or candidates opted to complete a brief biography statement. The information shared below is presented in the order in which it was received. This document will be updated as more candidates respond.
Katherine Bogle
How long have you been a resident of the Messenger Public Library service district?
Since October 2021, so about 4 years. Love being a North Aurora resident! I have been local to the Fox Valley since I was born.
Why are you interested in serving as a Library Trustee?
In 2024, I spent a significant amount of time volunteering at the library in the evenings and I grew to really care about the patrons and staff. I wanted to take my volunteer work a step further by serving as a library trustee.
Briefly describe any qualifications (work experience, education, leadership roles, attributes, skills/training) that you feel would provide positive input for the work of the Library Board.
The many hours of volunteer experience I have gave me a good look behind the scenes on what the libraries strengths and challenges are. I’ve always had a heart for volunteering and helping my community and being empathetic to my neighbors.
What do you see as MPL’s role in the community now and in the future?
Libraries offer so much to their local citizens other than just a place to store books. I have always felt MPL to be a safe space while also being a creative space. There are so many resources beyond the books that I hope the community will take advantage of more in the future!
The role of a Library Trustee is one of service and stewardship. How would you, as a Trustee, be an advocate for Messenger Public Library?
My friends, family and I all enjoy our time at the library immensely. I hope to see the library continue to flourish for everyone.
Tanya Berley – Incumbent and Treasurer
After retiring from a career in teaching in Winfield and moving to North Aurora twenty-one years ago I wanted to continue service to the community as a Library Trustee after leaving West Chicago’s Board. I’ve loved libraries and reading as long as I can remember. This is my sixteenth year as a Trustee at Messenger Public Library.
I’ve seen the library expand and improve in important ways, I’m especially proud of our wonderful children’s area and the popular programming they plan. We are looking to improve our book drop and entrances to accommodate an aging population. As the current Treasurer and someone who is fiscally conservative, I feel the Board has done well in managing our funds, being able to cover all present expenses as well as save money for future needs.
We have a wonderful, dedicated staff who work hard to present services and programming in tune with the community. We’re open to change and seek input from the community as needed. I’m a library user, attending programming and book discussion groups through the years. Because I’m retired, I have the time to devote myself to the position and rarely miss meetings.
Darlene Bailey – Incumbent (Prior appointment, must run in next election following appointment)
Hello, My Name is Darlene Bailey, I currently serve with Messenger Public Library as a Library Board Trustee. After twenty-seven years I retired from my place of employment. I wanted to continue using my skills to volunteer, plan, and connect with the communities. Messenger Public Library helped me to do just that. I’ve always been passionate about volunteering and sharing information that will help people stay connected with public service activities.
For the past 35+ years I have served as an Election Judge for the Kane County district. I’m currently a member of “Operation Our Kids” a non-profit organization dedicated to providing social activities, programs, and materials to at-risk youth in the Aurora, IL community. In addition, I volunteer with ECHO we focus our attention on low-income families providing a safe haven for underprivileged families. I enjoy dedicating my time to volunteering and am eager to share my knowledge and insights.
Messenger Public Library will continue to be the center of important sources of information connecting and sharing with our community. I hope to continue making a positive impact by serving as a Board Trustee member.
Laura McCoy
How long have you been a resident of the Messenger Public Library service district?
I have been a resident of North Aurora since 2003.
Why are you interested in serving as a Library Trustee?
My family are regular visitors to the library checking out media as well as participating in programs for the child, teen and adult levels. The library is an important resource for our community as well as Fox Valley. As a trustee, I will see that the library continues to provide the quality programs and media to the community.
Briefly describe any qualifications (work experience, education, leadership roles, attributes, skills/training) that you feel would provide positive input for the work of the Library Board.
I am an elementary school educator and local Girl Scout troop leader. I also volunteer in the classrooms at the local schools my children attend. I regularly check out multiple books and other media as part of my teaching curriculum and utilize the library programs for our Girl Scout troop. I feel that as a regular patron to MPL that is known and appreciated by the staff, my input would be valuable to the organization. I know that any input I have would not only affect the community but my family directly, so it is in everyone’s best interest to make sure that MPL continues to be an important resource for our community.
Please describe your former or current public service activities and accomplishments, especially if they are related to libraries and library service, in the community (school groups, service clubs, other boards or commissions).
I have previously worked in public service for the local park districts and forest preserves for over 20 years of my career. While working for these entities I have provided education programming and collaboration with local resources including the local public libraries. I have provided programming to the local libraries and school groups during this part of my career prior to being an educator. I feel this experience gives me a well-rounded background of service for understanding the interests of the community.
What do you see as MPL’s role in the community now and in the future?
I see MPL’s current role as an important resource to our community as being a place to study, use technology not readily available at home and to provide current media availability to not only North Aurora but our neighbors in the Fox Valley. In the future I see MPL continuing its current roles but also growing and adapting with the technological advances in media. I will see that the library continues to partner with the neighboring libraries in the Chicagoland area to provide a large inventory of media to our local residents.
The role of a Library Trustee is one of service and stewardship. How would you, as a Trustee, be an advocate for Messenger Public Library?
I would work with the other library trustees to ensure that decisions are in the best interest of the library. As a parent and community member that utilizes this resource multiple times a week, I have a vested interest in any improvements to the library that benefit the community and neighbors in Fox Valley.
What else would you like voters to know?
Our family sees the library as an important part of our community. We spend volunteer hours there, use the study and meeting rooms, participate in programs and check out large amounts of media on a regular basis.
Keith Goode
How long have you been a resident of the Messenger Public Library service district?
I have been a resident of the Messenger Public Library service district since 2013.
Why are you interested in serving as a Library Trustee?
I love our library! As both a resident and a parent, I want to support our service district and make the library accessible and welcoming to all patrons. I also want to ensure that the library continues to provide services that meet the evolving needs of the community.
Briefly describe any qualifications (work experience, education, leadership roles, attributes, skills/training) that you feel would provide positive input for the work of the Library Board.
I currently serve as the Director of New Student Programming at Harper College, where I am involved in several shared governance committees and act as a liaison to various community partners. I hold a Master’s in Management.
What do you see as MPL’s role in the community now and in the future?
I believe MPL’s role extends beyond the traditional library model, though that remains a cornerstone. I envision the library as a hub for education, entertainment, and work, providing a space for community engagement, innovation, and nurturing curiosity in children.
The role of a Library Trustee is one of service and stewardship. How would you, as a Trustee, be an advocate for Messenger Public Library?
As a Trustee, I would advocate based on the needs of our patrons and residents. I would work to ensure the library provides services that reflect public requests, offering a space for growth, learning, and meeting the needs of daily life.
Francisco Medrano
How long have you been a resident of the Messenger Public Library service district?
I’ve been a resident of North Aurora since 2021, but I grew up in West Aurora and graduated from D129. I have lots of family and friends in North Aurora and the surrounding area.
Why are you interested in serving as a Library Trustee?
I appreciate the valuable services that MPL provides, and when I learned that the library needed trustees, I was excited about the opportunity to serve my community. My school-aged children love reading and regularly participate in the library’s year-round activities. As a trustee, I hope to contribute by supporting programs and services for school-aged children and families while ensuring a balanced approach that benefits all MPL patrons.
Briefly describe any qualifications (work experience, education, leadership roles, attributes, skills/training) that you feel would provide positive input for the work of the Library Board.
As an Associate Director of Talent Acquisition, I navigate complex global recruitment programs and challenges daily, balancing experience and potential while advocating for qualified yet often overlooked candidates. My data-driven approach helps me make informed decisions, and I thrive in collaborative, cross-functional teams across the US, UK, EU, Colombia, Canada, the Philippines, and India. My experience working with people and building processes on a global scale will help me understand MPL’s challenges and goals, ensuring we maximize the return on our investments and enhance our impact on the community.
Please describe your former or current public service activities and accomplishments, especially if they are related to libraries and library service, in the community (school groups, service clubs, other boards or commissions).
I am actively involved in my community through various volunteer roles. I serve as a PTO member at my children’s schools, coach baseball for a local Little League team, and volunteer with a local food pantry. In 2024, I was part of the West Aurora Alumni soccer team that won the inaugural Aurora Alumni Cup, which resulted in a donation of sports equipment to middle school soccer programs in the West Aurora area. This year, I plan to take on a more active role in organizing the Aurora Alumni Cup to further support local youth athletics.
What do you see as MPL’s role in the community now and in the future?
I believe in MPL’s core mission to inform, connect, and enrich the lives of our community. The library has excelled in providing a safe and welcoming space for all, and I see its future focused on enhancing comfort, convenience, and accessibility. I hope to support the retention and expansion of services where possible under the leadership of MPL’s exceptional administrative staff.
Additionally, I am intrigued by the role of AI and advanced technology in our communities. While the impact of tools like ChatGPT and other AI platforms is still unfolding, the library can play a key role in making knowledge more accessible and helping patrons navigate these innovations. I hope to look back in a few years and be proud that MPL continued to be a vital resource, evolving to meet the needs of our diverse community.
The role of a Library Trustee is one of service and stewardship. How would you, as a Trustee, be an advocate for Messenger Public Library?
I believe effective advocacy begins with constructive conversations about the community’s wants and needs, supported by data-driven insights. As a Trustee, I look forward to gaining a deeper understanding of our community’s needs and ensuring that decisions are made with both an open mind and optimism. I will approach initiatives thoughtfully, working collaboratively to help guide MPL toward maximizing its impact and benefit for all patrons.
What else would you like voters to know?
I lived in Panama for 13 years, where there was no government-supported library system. Without easy access to books, it was challenging to foster a love of reading in children. Moving back to Chicago, I was reminded of the profound impact a library has on both children and the community.
Growing up, trips to the library were a routine source of joy, discovery, and learning. I took full advantage of all it offered, and I deeply missed that resource while living abroad. A library is more than just a place to borrow books—it’s a town square, a space to learn new skills, to laugh with a comic book, to cry over a novel, and to connect with our community while exploring worlds beyond our own. A library gives so much and asks for so little in return.
I hope to serve on the MPL Board to give back to the institution that has given me so much. It would be an honor to help shape the future of the library, ensuring it remains a vital and accessible resource for all. I would be grateful for the community’s trust in me as a steward of MPL’s mission.
