Assistant Director
Grand Rapids Public Library
Jessica Bratt always wanted to become a librarian. She pursued music education in Chicago. Finished her degree, taught high school, and went to pursue a master's degree in library science. She went from big city living to finding a new beginning in a much smaller town in Michigan. She began a partnership (DigiBridge) between Grand Rapids Public Schools and the Grand Rapids Public Libraries, which has won national awards. She has been named a Mover and Shaker in the library industry by the national publication Library Journal. Currently, she is now the Community Engagement Coordinator at the Grand Rapids Public Library.
While she could tell you all the ways she is involved in the libraryland from writing reviews for library trade publications or finishing up being on the 2019 Coretta Scott King Book Award Jury Committee---she will tell you that the coolest millennial thing for her was when MTV once reached out for an interview and wrote an article entitled, In Trump’s America, Activist Librarians who won’t be shushed. When not on the local news trying to convince the world to give libraries a try, she presents nationwide on a variety of topics including equity, diversity, and inclusion. Her newest adventure revolves around trying to balance her gaming life with motherhood.
Saturday, January 28, 2023
10:00 AM – 11:15 AM