Describe the importance of public libraries in 20 words or fewer.

Public libraries are gateways to the world. By encouraging reading and providing free materials to read, they inspire everyone’s dreams.

Describe your background and what you bring to the board.

I have lived and worked in Champaign-Urbana since 1968, when I started classes at the U of I. Since then I have worked at the News-Gazette, WCIA-TV, United Press International, the Illini Media Company, and Monarch Color Company. I have had five tours of duty with the U of I that included teaching in the department of journalism and at University High School. I am currently the Director of Network Communications for the University, where I supervise the groups that design and maintain the data networks in
hundreds of campus buildings.

Tell us a little about your family, pets, etc.

My wife, Kathy, is a nurse practitioner at Carle Clinic, where she has worked for 28 years. Fortunately one of us can hold a steady job. Our oldest daughter, Amanda Palla, returned to Champaign after graduating from the University of Chicago to earn a master’s degree from UIUC and is now a web developer at Defense Training and Technologies — and the varsity volleyball coach for Uni High. Our youngest daughter, Sarah, is a sophomore at Eastern studying psychology. As best I know, she has cleared up her old library fines. Our cat, Krystal, is 21 years old and deaf, but hanging in there.

What have you read, watched, or listened to lately?

Just finished reading Play Dirty by Sandra Brown, enjoyed The Bourne Ultimatum in the theater, have become addicted to Damages on the FX TV network, and recently discovered the music of KT Tunstall.

Smeltzer joined the board in July 2007. Profile posted September 2007.