The Nov. 8 election is drawing closer every day, but what do you really know about those names on the ballot?

Patch will interview candidates for the Birmingham Board of Education, the Baldwin Public Library board and the Birmingham City Commission during the ramp-up to the election, bringing you the stories behind the names and the issues they think are important for Birmingham.

For the Baldwin Public Library board, four candidates are running for three open spots: incumbent David Underdown and challengers James Suhay, Robert Tera and Ruth Ploski. Current library board president Michael Earl and Ann Conigliaro, whose terms end this fall, do not intend to run for re-election.

The six-member Baldwin Public Library Board is responsible for controlling the expenditures of all library funds, adopting an annual budget, appointing directors and setting library policies. Board members serve four-year terms. Terms are staggered so that three positions are elected every two years.

The Oakland County League of Women Voters will hold a voters forum and meet-the-candidates night at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday in the basement of Baldwin Public Library for those running for the library board.

Ruth Ploski

Age: 31

Family: Ploski grew up in Farmington Hills and moved to Birmingham in 2008 with her husband David Wisz. The couple is expecting their first child in a few weeks.

Occupation: Ploski has worked in several fields over the years, and is most recently doing accounting work for several small businesses all the while becoming more involved in political campaigns and studying reflexology and nutrition. Before that, she was a director of a private school and taught in the Detroit Public Schools.

Previous elected experience: This would be Ploski's first elected experience.

Why are you running?

Ploski said one of her first jobs was at an academic library, giving her a deep appreciation for libraries that's been heightened as she prepares to become a young parent.

"Birmingham is a wonderful community and I believe staying involved in our communities helps keep them attractive."

What would you bring to the library board?

According to Ploski, her passion with libraries coupled with her expertise in a variety of fields makes her a prime candidate for the Baldwin library board.

"As a young parent with ... a background in legal, educational and community work, I want to continue the exploration of creative options for the future of Baldwin Public Library," she said.

What issues are important to you?

According to Ploski, the Baldwin Public Library should be paying close attention to the times and what kinds of repercussions are possible for the traditional library model.

"With technology and global information more available to the general public, traffic in our libraries has been reduced. In addition, due to the oppressive economy, funding for our libraries has become difficult and in many cities and towns, the futures of our community libraries have been questioned."

If she were to be elected to the library board, Ploski said she has three goals in mind: to review future goals as related to Birmingham's needs, to encourage creative budget solutions and inspire policies that make sense to Birmingham residents and tax payers.

Learn more

Check out Patch's profiles for all candidates running for the Baldwin Public Library board:

• James Suhay
• Robert Tera