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Months after controversies erupted over books about human bodies and drag queens at the Lincolnwood Public Library, leading to wider questions about censorship, four trustee candidates who say they support current policies and oppose censorship appeared to have won their races in the April 4 election based on unofficial Cook County results.

Incumbent trustees Sheri Doniger, Georgia Talaganis and Mary Silber, along with Deborah Silver, who was running for a first term, ran under the Freedom to Read banner and were the top four vote-getters.

Silver led the pack with 14.92 % of the vote, Doniger had 14.87% orfour fewer votes than Silver, Talaganis had 14.75 % and Silber tallied 14.1%.

Freedom to Read Lincolnwood team is grateful the voters of Lincolnwood supported our mission of transparency, inclusivity, true fiscal responsibility, and high integrity, the winning trustees wrote in a statement. We ran a highly ethical, informative campaign and are proud of the positive response of the voters. We believe libraries are the cornerstone of democracy, literacy and productivity. We look to the future to ensure all residents continue to see themselves at the Lincolnwood Public Library. "

The other candidates were Kari Fleck Gutstein, Andrea Serban, Jacqueline Kosir and Mohamed Hafezi. Hafezi wrote, Although we are saddened by the outcome of the election, we acknowledge and honor the democratic process and the verdict of the voters.

The election for the traditionally low-profile library board drew additional attention following last falls dispute regarding a 40-page book about drag queens, which sparked a firestorm about the availability of books in the childrens section of the library.

Doniger added in an e-mail that she believes the Freedom to Read group reflected the prevailing perspective of the village population.

We won the election because our diverse Lincolnwood residents wanted to keep their freedom to read, choose, and access books, Doniger wrote. They also believed parents already have rights for their child and no one should impose their personal beliefs on other peoples children. Finally, the residents believed we will be better stewards of their tax dollars by maintaining and enhancing the quality programs for all ages and services they have come to enjoy.

Doniger predicted current policies would continue over the next four years.

The Lincolnwood Public Library will not ban, re-shelve, or hide books. Re-shelving or hiding books is considered censorship, she wrote. Our policies and procedures regarding book censorship of any kind will hold steadfast and true to the librarys purpose. The public will always be welcome to comment at our public meetings, they will always be welcome to ask questions and make requests of our staff of highly-credentialed professional librarians. Its important for everyone to understand that, just like in life outside the library, sometimes the answer to a request is yes and sometimes the answer is no. The library will always make decisions with the charter of the institution at the forefront. And we will always protect the U.S. Constitution.

Silver indicated in a separate e-mail current policies would continue.

Our master of library science-educated librarians at the Lincolnwood Library will continue to select books based on the guidelines of the American Library Association, Illinois Library Association as well as their knowledge of Lincolnwood residents, she wrote.

Regarding the future on other topics, Doniger said plans are in place for additional programming and discussions on book procurement, collection development and financial matters.

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Lincolnwood library candidates who opposed book restrictions win ... - Chicago Tribune