The Board of Library Commissioners of the Grand Rapids Public Library welcomes Justine Bryant and Bryan Holt as new Commissioners – their first board meeting taking place on January 28, 2025. Bryant and Holt join 5 other publicly elected Commissioners including; Rachel S. Anderson (President), Kelly Boston (Vice President/Secretary), Kathryn Dilley, Kevin Peterson, and Lauren Woolsey.
Justine Bryant is an Assistant Professor at Grand Rapids Community College and a nationally certified American Sign Language interpreter. With a passion for education and a commitment to bridging communication and cultural gaps, Bryant brings valuable experience to this role. She advocates for policies that protect and support both patrons and staff, ensuring that libraries remain safe, inclusive spaces for all. Her dedication extends to advocating for libraries at the state and local levels, emphasizing their vital role in equity, education, and innovation. Additionally, she supports the expansion of accessible programming and resources related to American Sign Language, fostering greater inclusivity and awareness within the community.
When asked why she decided to run for a seat on the Board, Bryant answered;
"I joined the Grand Rapids Public Library Board because I’m passionate about creating spaces where accessibility, inclusivity, and opportunity meet. In addition to providing resources to the community, libraries also connect people to ideas, knowledge, and each other. I want to help ensure that our libraries continue to serve as a resource for our community."
Bryan Holt has a Master of Science in Criminal Justice Administration from Ferris State University, holds a Bachelors degree in Public Safety Administration from Davenport University, and has a Certified Manager Certification from James Madison University. He has been working with at-risk populations for over 20 years. Throughout his employment at Pine Rest, he has worked in several capacities including Housing Specialist for the Michigan Prisoner Re-Entry Initiative program and PATH Outreach Supervisor. Now, in his current position as Outreach Clinical Team Lead, he uses his knowledge and skill set to help Kent County's most vulnerable populations navigate resources. In addition, as Chair of the Coalition to End Homelessness Outreach Workgroup, he builds relationships within the community and advocates for change. He uses his knowledge to help train others in the community about the issues that affect our unhoused populations.
When asked why he decided to run for a seat on the Board, Holt answered;
"When the opportunity presented itself, I was immediately reminded of all the times I rode my bike to the Yankee Clipper Library. I would find the “Choose Your Own Adventure” book series and would sit and read for hours. Then when I got older, I had the opportunity to be a student worker at GRCC’s library and had some of my fondest memories of college life. Those memories were attached to witnessing the learning atmosphere that brought people from different walks of life together in the pursuit of knowledge and understanding. I learned to respect the power of a book. How it creates opportunity through learning, connects people through shared knowledge and inspires innovation in young minds. So, I felt it was a good way for me to continue to give back to my community I was born and raised in. Through the years, I have been blessed to work with a diverse population of individuals. I bring decades of experience of working with people and hope I will be able to educate and advocate for programs and policies that benefit the library community as much as the Grand Rapids Public Library benefited me!"
Visit www.grpl.org or call 616.988.5400 for more information. The Grand Rapids Public Library inspires opportunity, connection, and innovation.
