KDL Welcomes New Branch Outreach & Programming Specialist

We are so pleased to welcome Christine Bylsma to her new role as Branch Outreach & Programming Specialist for the Plainfield Twp. and Comstock Park Branches. Christine will work to ensure that branch outreach and programming at her branches align with system strategic goals and standards. She has been a Branch Librarian at KDL since 2018, working first at the Grandville Branch and then at Kentwood (Richard L. Root) Branch. 

A message from Christine:

I’m excited to step into the role of Branch Outreach and Programming Specialist at the Plainfield and Comstock Park Branches. I’m looking forward to getting to know new teams and communities, learning more about KDL from a different perspective and finding new ways to contribute. I’m a bit of a library nerd, so I’m especially excited to dig into the systems, programs, partnerships and people that make our libraries thrive! Throughout my career, I’ve believed that successful outreach begins with authentic relationships. I’m passionate about the library’s role in advancing community health, supporting lifelong learning, providing diverse representation in literature and sparking excitement for learning by connecting people’s interests with the right resources and opportunities. I also love the systems-oriented side of library work — bringing people together around shared goals, identifying opportunities for improvement and developing practical solutions that work for both staff and patrons. My work leading KDL’s Teen Crew Program Revamp has been a particularly rewarding opportunity to bring those skills together through collaboration, project management and organizational change.

One of the highlights of my time at Kentwood has been the relationships I’ve built with local middle schools, teachers and students — especially our sixth graders. Those partnerships have reinforced that some of the most meaningful library work happens when we listen, show up consistently and build trust over time. I’m incredibly grateful for those connections and everything they’ve taught me, and I’m excited to carry those lessons into this next chapter while learning from the new communities and colleagues I’ll have the opportunity to work alongside.

Please join us in congratulating Christine on her new position at KDL!