Three candidates seek two Pound Ridge Library trustee seats

By NEAL RENTZ

The field is set for this year’s Pound Ridge Library Board of Trustees election, Library Director Jennifer Coulter announced at the Aug. 31 board meeting.

The candidates for two open seats are Janis Knorr, Donald Check and Lisa Errickson.

The election is Tuesday, Sept. 22, from 2 to 8 p.m., at the library, 271 Westchester Ave.

Six-year trustee Richard Levan recently resigned from the board and two-term incumbent trustee Anne Benefico can’t run for reelection because a trustee cannot serve for more than six consecutive years. 

The candidates provided biographical information to the library.

Check, a 27-year Pound Ridge resident, explained why he was running for the board this year.

“I am invested in the community and grateful for the people who make our town a special place to live,” he wrote. “I am seeking to serve as a library trustee to give back to the town and help ensure that the library remains a vibrant and essential resource for the community.”

Finance degree

Check has a degree in finance from Penn State University, and he spent many years working internationally in various positions.

“These experiences broadened my perspective, deepened my appreciation for diverse backgrounds and taught me to find commonality and build connections across differences,” he said. He later earned a master’s degree at Boston University through its international program in Brussels. 

Check’s professional career has been in the apparel industry in Manhattan, specializing in treasury, financial forecasting and budgeting.

58 year resident

Errickson stated that she has been an “on and off” Pound Ridge resident for 58 years and has been a library patron since childhood.

A Colgate University graduate, Errickson’s career has ranged from community outreach and sales for hospitals, business development for home care companies, benefit advisor for insurance companies and, most recently, she worked in senior living communities helping new residents move in and acclimate to their new home, she said.

“I believe I would contribute to the current upward growth of the Pound Ridge Library,” Errickson said. “Over the past couple of years, I have witnessed the addition of many events, classes, workshops and extended days and hours.”

“My past personal and professional experiences, combined with my current life dedication of my free time ensuring that my mom participates in all of the Neighbor to Neighbor and library engagements would be a natural effort to promote each other,” Errickson stated.  

“I am a great listener and a team player who brings out joy in people and would be honored to serve the needs and wants of our dedicated and loyal library patrons,” Errickson stated.

‘Engaged and informed’

Knorr, who has lived in town for about 20 years, said that since she retired from full-time employment over six years ago, she has volunteered and remains “engaged and informed regarding town activities and proposed projects.”

“My mom and I use our library on a regular weekly basis for exercise programs, social, cultural and music performances and, of course, to borrow books,” Knorr said. “I have seen over the past few years truly wonderful programs and renovations and a great new website. I am hoping with my sincere interest and skills that I may be considered for a trustee position. I believe I can work collaboratively and help our library continue to grow and remain a vital place for all residents and guests to enjoy.”

Program participation spike 

At the meeting, Coulter touted a significant increase in participants for the library’s summer reading program during her monthly director’s report.

Coulter said participation in the annual Summer Reading Game nearly tripled this year as compared to 2025. This year, 235 youths took part in the reading program. Last year, 88 youths took part.

From 2021 through 2025, 81 youths, on average, participated in the summer reading program. This year, the participation rate was 189% greater than the 2021-25 average, Coulter noted.

“It was an extraordinary success,” Coulter said. 

Reading Game participants kept track of their reading on a log sheet. As they reached reading milestones participants earned prizes and raffle entries for larger rewards.