Library Board presents 2025 annual report

By NEAL RENTZ

The Pound Ridge Library Board of Trustees heard a presentation on its annual report from President Richard Esman at its meeting Tuesday.

“This past year has been an exciting and productive one for our library,” Esman said. “Thanks to the support of our community, staff, volunteers and partners, the library continues to grow as a vibrant center for learning, culture, and connection.”

Esman touted the library’s finances.

“We remained committed to responsible budgeting and resource management,” he said. “Through careful planning and oversight, we continued to deliver high-quality services despite economic challenges.”

“Our library thrived as a community hub, offering a diverse lineup of programs and events for all ages,” Esman said. 

Last year the library expanded both its in-person and virtual offering to connect with additional library patrons and support lifelong learning, he said.

Esman said the library has strengthened its digital services with an updated online catalog, expanded e-book options and improved technology to enhance the user experience. 

“We remain committed to ongoing improvements that make the library welcoming, accessible, and adaptable,” Esman said. 

He noted that the library began its seven-day-a-week schedule last year. He thanked the Pound Ridge Library for providing funds for the library’s full renovation. 

“Collaborations with local organizations and businesses have enriched our services and strengthened our community ties,” Esman said. 

Esman praised the efforts of library volunteers.

“Our volunteers are the heart of our library,” Esman said. “Their time, energy and dedication make many of our programs and daily operations possible.”

“As we plan for the year ahead, the board remains focused on expanding services, strengthening community connections and meeting the evolving needs of our patrons,” Esman said.

Parking expansion

The board also continued its discussion of a plan to add 20 additional spaces to its parking lot. Library Director Jennifer Coulter provided some suggestions to the board about ways to free up some current spaces in the meantime by providing some services off site.

Options included renting some space for a satellite library in Scotts Corners for services such as pickups, returns, printing and copy-making, and using Conant Hall on a weekly basis for some popular programs through a discounted partnership with the town.

Library director’s report

Also at the meeting, Coulter provided the board with data from 2024 and 2025 that showed growth in various areas.

From 2024 to 2025 digital checkouts of library materials increased by 10.5%; checkout of physical media increased by 22%; the number of active cardholders increased by 12%; programs offered increased by 2%; program attendance increased by 10%; and weekly operating hours expanded by 27.5% because the library expanded to the seven-day schedule, Coulter noted. 

Between 2018 and 2025, 769 programs have been added, Coulter said. Last year, program attendance at the library hit a record of 18,880 attendees. 

Though the Pound Ridge Library area had the next-to-last lowest population in Westchester County, it offered the sixth most programs in 2024, Coulter said.