Library Board

The Kirkland Library Board was established in 1951 through an ordinance passed by the Kirkland City Council. The purpose of the Board is to serve as an advisory body to the Council and the City Manager, and it also serves as liaison to the King County Library District (KCLS) and its designated librarians regarding library service issues and community interests. 


Library Board

Meetings:

The Board meets in person on the second Wednesday of each month (with the exception of no meeting in December). The option of Virtual attendance is available via Zoom.

Time:  6:00 PM

Location: Rose Hill Room, Kirkland City Hall

Next Meeting Date:  Wednesday, April 10, 2024

 To join a meeting virtually: Zoom Link:

 

Agenda and KCLS Regional Manager Report available prior to the meeting.

Past Meeting Archives       Past Meeting Recordings 

Note: The City of Kirkland appreciates the interest of our community members and values public involvement. Regular meetings of the Library Board are open to the public and recorded. The digital recording is typically available to access online within two weeks of the meeting. 

Library Board Members

Eleanor Peterson - Chair (term expires March 31, 2027)

Headshot of Julia Nolan

Eleanor Peterson - Chair

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.

 

Heather Gertmenian - Vice-Chair (term expires March 31, 2027)

Headshot of Heather Gertmenian

Heather Gertmenian  - Vice-Chair

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 21st century. It’s an honor and a pleasure for her to be selected to serve on the Kirkland Library Board. 

 

 

Julia Nolan - (term expires March 31, 2025)

Headshot of Julia Nolan

Julia Nolan 

Julia moved to Kirkland several years ago and currently works as a data analyst at Puget Sound Energy. In addition to her passion for using data to improve customer experiences, she loves reading and writing. She has served as a senior editor of "Allegory" for over a decade and has published short stories in a number of speculative fiction magazines. Julia loves that libraries have the ability to enhance the lives of all members of the community, and is excited to serve Kirkland through her work on the Library Board in the years to come.

 

Harry Bruce (term expires March 31, 2024)

Headshot of Harry Bruce

Harry Bruce 

Harry moved to Kirkland 22 years ago from Sydney, Australia to work at the University of Washington. He retired from his role as Dean of the Informational School (iSchool) at the UW in 2019. He's been a library educator, researcher and leader for more than three decades. Harry's academic qualification's include a Ph.D in Library and Information Science; a masters degree in Library and Information Science; and a Graduate Diploma in Teacher Leadership. He is deeply committed to the role of public libraries as information, education, and service hubs for their communities. Harry says he loves living in Kirkland and is "honored to serve on the Library Board."

Nalini Iyer (term expires March 31, 2024)

Headshot of Nalini Iyer

Nalini Iyer

Nalini Iyer has lived in Kirkland for 30 years. An immigrant from India, she is an avid reader, academic, writer, editor, and book reviewer. As a professor, she teaches courses in literatures from South Asia, Africa, and the Caribbean. She is co-author of Roots and Reflections: South Asians in the Pacific Northwest (2013) and is a frequent book reviewer for The International Examiner. As a board member, she aspires to make the library and its services accessible to multilingual users, the LGBTQIA+ community, and youth.

 

 

Addison Goldberg, Youth (term expires March 31, 2025)

Headshot of Addison Goldberg

Addison Goldberg 

Addison is a Lake Washington High School student with a passion for both literature and the local Kirkland community. She enjoys reading and writing and aims to study English after high school. In addition to the library board, Addison serves on the Kirkland Youth Council and is a participant on a local rowing team.