The Great Neck Library is the crown jewel of our community, and next week all of us have the opportunity — and the obligation — to vote to fill one seat on the board of trustees and two seats on the nominating committee.

I will be voting for Aliza Reicher as a board trustee, and Daniel Pitt Stoller and Joanna Stolove as nominating committee members.

They oppose book bans and censorship, use the library and know it intimately, and can be counted on to take their fiduciary and governance obligations seriously.

The breadth and depth of the Library’s offerings, spread across four branches and thoughtfully curated and delivered by our librarians and professional staff under the leadership of our library director, are truly extraordinary: thousands of books in circulation, in print, e-book, and audio formats; intellectually interesting and stimulating programming for patrons of every age; musical performances and film showings and discussions; access to local and internationally acclaimed museums and cultural institutions; a STEM lab; and, of course, the Levels Teen Center (I encourage everyone to attend a Levels theater production; we saw Jean-Paul Sartre’s “No Exit” last spring — first-rate!).

Overseeing all of this – the library’s budget, operations, and the fulfillment of its vision – is a board of trustees composed of seven patrons who are willing to volunteer their time and expertise for the benefit of the library.

A professional, functioning board of trustees is critical to the Library’s success. Trustees should bring something to the figurative (and literal) table around which they meet; some professional and/or life experience that helps the board navigate the myriad issues that confront it.

They should be willing to respect the views and opinions of fellow trustees, and the judgment of our professional Library staff. Trustees must be able to put the library’s interests – its mission, finances and operations – above their own preferences and agenda.

And they absolutely must have the spine to stand up to, and speak out against, book bans, censorship, and attacks on the dignity and rights of all our neighbors.

Aliza Reicher lives in Harbor Hills with her family, including her two young children. They love our Library and use it all the time. She is an experienced corporate bankruptcy attorney and legal editor.

Aliza’s strong financial, corporate, and legal background, combined with her love of education and her commitment to freedom of expression, means she will help the Library spend its resources – our tax dollars – wisely, and to expand opportunities for all its patrons.

Daniel Pit Stoller, a candidate for the first open nominating committee position, is an English teacher at Schechter School of Long Island and a part-time acting instructor in the Great Neck Public Schools recreation program.

He graduated from Great Neck South High and received degrees from the University of Pennsylvania and New York University. Danny worked at Junior Levels for seven years.

Joanna Stolover, a candidate for the second open nominating committee position, is a licensed clinical social worker with degrees from the Wurzweiler School of Social Work at Yeshiva University and SUNY Buffalo.

She is a Girl Scouts Troop Leader, Camp Consultant, and Delegate; on the Great Neck Public Schools Board Advisory Committee and the Saddle Rock PTO Executive Board; and a Member of the Aging Life Care Association.

These are three excellent candidates. We are lucky that they are willing to serve our community in this way. Please vote for them.

Rory Lancman

Great Neck