COMMUNITY QUARTERBACK

We proudly support United Way of New York City and its dedication to our city’s most vulnerable communities. Congratulations to tonight’s honorees!

We are thrilled to be a part of the 30th Annual Gridiron Gala.

Linda E. Johnson & Bruce C. Ratner

As president and CEO of Brooklyn Public Library (BPL), Linda E. Johnson leads one of the nation’s most historic and most innovative library systems. The 61-branch public library system is the fifth largest library system in the country and the ninth largest cultural institution in New York, operating with an annual budget of $150 million while serving 2.7 million residents. Linda has overseen BPL’s transformation from an analog to a modern library with state-of-the-art technology available for free to all patrons, working with elected officials, private foundations, and library stakeholders, to ensure ensures that underserved and underrepresented communities have access to knowledge on every platform.

Under Linda’s leadership, the Library’s presence and impact in the community have expanded beyond the confines of its 61 branches. BPL now hosts collections at nearly 200 off-site locations and provides services in 552 outreach sites, including schools, homeless shelters, senior centers and correctional facilities. The Library’s Outreach Services Department has developed new and nationally recognized resources for immigrants, seniors, veterans, the incarcerated, the homebound and other vulnerable or marginalized patrons. This past year, BPL launched Books Unbanned, an initiative designed to give youth who have been impacted by the alarming wave of book bans throughout the country, free access to BPL’s digital collection and learning databases. Combating censorship is at the core of the Library’s work and is one of the most important issues Linda has grappled with during her tenure.

Prior to joining BPL in 2011, Linda served as president and CEO of the National Constitution Center, CEO of the Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation, and president of JCI Data. Currently, Linda sits on the boards of Hamilton College, Sing for Hope, and the Curtis Institute of Music. She is also an advisory director on the board of the Metropolitan Opera.