Library Board

Heather Gertmenian

A resident of Kirkland since 1995, Heather has worked in a variety of customer service and operations roles for various tech companies before taking a break to raise her two kids. She has always nourished a love of books and reading, including indulging her fantasy of working in a bookstore. Currently, she is a contributing writer for Greet Kirkland magazine. Heather is passionate about keeping libraries and their offerings accessible to all and is excited to watch as libraries continue to evolve in the 21^st century. It’s an honor and a pleasure for her to be selected to serve on the Kirkland Library Board. 

Rachel Broenkow

Rachel Broenkow is a Washington State certificated librarian with years of experience in public libraries, high school librarianship, and special collections. After getting a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from the University of Kansas, she returned to the Pacific Northwest and gained her Master of Library Information Science from the University of Washington. She is dedicated to learning about and serving more in her hometown community of Kirkland, and spends her free time exploring the great outdoors, cooking for friends and family, and reading. Rachel is a passionate advocate for intellectual freedom and lifelong learning.

Eleanor Peterson

Ellie Peterson is a children's book author and illustrator and has lived in Kirkland for the past 9 years. She was a middle school science teacher for 21 years before recently leaving the profession to follow her passion for children's literature. Ellie also serves on the advisory committees for the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators and the Bigfoot Kids' Book Festival. She fondly remembers spending hours in libraries as a child while her mom worked on her GED, and she's committed to supporting libraries as safe spaces for education and resources in our community.

Malia Karlinsky

Malia Karlinsky is an Emmy Award-winning journalist and communications professional with over 20 years of experience in local and national television, as well as global corporate communications at Amazon.

She holds a Communications degree from Washington State University and a law degree from Seattle University.

A Kirkland resident for over two decades, Malia is deeply passionate about the city and its vibrant, welcoming community. 

As an avid reader and lifelong learner, Malia values the Kirkland Library as both a hub of knowledge and a vital “third place” where neighbors gather, ideas flourish, and curiosity is nurtured. She believes in the magic of books and the power of storytelling, which allows us to better understand ourselves and the world around us.

Lee Cressman

Lee is a retired resident of Kirkland who began her career teaching in Germany for four years before pursuing law school. She worked as the King County Council Administrator before being appointed as Bellevue City Attorney, and then capped off her career by being elected as a King County Superior Court Judge. Highlights of her many years in volunteer work include serving on the Board of Trustees for Bellevue College and for Overlake Hospital, and serving on the Mercer Island Park and Recreation Board and at Kirkland 4thof July celebrations. “Libraries are truly magical places. They offer endless worlds to explore and cultivate lifelong love for learning. I am passionate about them and their importance in the community. I am an avid reader and more than weekly visitor at my local Library.”

 Harrison Warrick

 Originally hailing from Dublin, Ireland, Harrison has lived in Kirkland since 2012. Currently a junior at Lake Washington High School he has grown up in Kirkland's libraries and recognizes their importance as a focal point for community growth and engagement. A voracious reader, he serves in the library board as a way to give back to Kirkland’s libraries as thanks for the fostering of a love of literature. He hopes to become an engineer and wants to help connect the libraries with local schools to give students further resources to improve their learning.