Meet Erica Richardson, Executive Director of the Benbrook (Texas) Library District and Founding AASD Board Member representing America’s Library Districts.
Founding AASD Member (2024)
Director, AASD Library Division
Chair, AASD Education, Resources, and Services Committee
Executive Director, Benbrook Library District
Cofounder, Texas Special Districts Coalition
Benbrook, Texas
What is your experience working with special districts?
My experience in special districts is limited to libraries specifically. I’ve worked at Benbrook Library District in Benbrook, Texas which touches Fort Worth, for over 10 years, and have been the Executive Director for over 3 years. I was really surprised about how much I didn’t know about special districts, and I used that as an opportunity to network with other districts to learn how we can become stronger together. I am really proud of the fact that our library is one of the four founders of the Texas Special District Coalition.
What is the most awesome part of working in the special districts environment, and what is the most frustrating?
The most awesome part of working in a district is being able to directly respond to the community. In our library community, I say that we have the opportunity to be experimental, in a way that a lot of municipal libraries may not. I like to take advantage of that fact with unique programming and creative services. The most frustrating part is after 3 years still finding things that I should have known from the beginning! There is a LOT to running a special district, and I am finding more and more of us that didn’t walk into our positions with a good plan and foundation.
What drives your leadership and passion to move the need forward for special districts in your state and across the country?
What drives my passion is all the things that I don’t know about special districts! As a librarian, I am constantly searching for knowledge and learning about how other special districts handle situations. My absolute favorite thing is when we start sharing our practical tips, either specific vendors that have helped us solve a problem or learning about creative solutions that I would have never thought of. I am constantly searching for great ways to help make my inbox more efficient!
Why did you join the American Association of Special Districts, and what value do you see in AASD?
I joined AASD because I truly believe that special districts are stronger together. I love the fact that it is on the ground – within 6 months of our first board meeting we had 2 regional summits! I am super proud of the success of both of those summits, most especially the library district one.
My goal as a board member is to help keep the focus on the smaller special districts, and the practical ways AASD can provide support that can help grow and strengthen even the smallest special district.