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Eager to serve his community, lifelong Burbank resident Sean Kirchman is looking to step forward to bring new ideas to the Prairie Trails Public Library Board.
“I credit much of my academic success to my parents and public institutions like the Prairie Trails Public Library,” Kirchman said. “I have great memories of coming to this library as a child and spending time with my mom and dad reading books, attending programs, and accelerating my learning for free.
“In my junior high years, I volunteered to help other kids find the fun in the summer reading program, fly kites, see a magic show, and even hold reptiles. It was a great opportunity to give back to an important community resource,” he said.
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Kirchman, 24, believes the Prairie Trails Library is a pillar of the community and says he intends to leverage his experience as a resident, a person from Generation Z, and a local high school chess coach to ensure Prairie Trails continues to improve its services and fully serve locals of all ages.
Kirchman has a history of public service dating back to his time as a lifeguard and a swim instructor at the Burbank Water Park. He said that he took swimming lessons there growing up and later enjoyed swimming and playing water polo at Brother Rice High School.
Kirchman continued his public service as an election judge.
Kirchman began working as a chess coach at Brother Rice High School in 2024 to revive their program after it struggled to return after the pandemic.
“Brother Rice enabled me to develop and pursue a passion for chess at a competitive level with fellow students when I attended, and I wanted others to have that same opportunity for personal growth, fun, and an intellectual battle,” said Kirchman, whose team made it to the IHSA State Chess Tournament.
He believes that his experience and commitment to successfully revitalizing the chess program will assist him in developing a wide array of programs to engage youth at Prairie Trails Public Library.
“The library is such a crucial community space, serving not only as an educational resource but as a social one. Kids and adults alike come to learn, spend time with fellow community members, and enjoy free activities close to home that they otherwise wouldn’t have access to.” Kirchman said.
As trustee, he would like to expand the library’s native plant garden, survey community input for improving library programming, start a Burbank chess club, and foster a mental health initiative.
He is one of two candidates seeking a six-year term on the library board. Also running is Ann Trovato. There is no candidate for the third open seat. Mike Shizas is running for the two-year unexpired term.
The election is April 1. Early voting is underway.
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