Brooklyn Trail: A conversation with the Brooklyn Public Library

As president and CEO of Brooklyn Public Library, Linda E. Johnson leads one of the nation’s most historic and innovative library systems. 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 that underserved and underrepresented communities have access to knowledge on every platform. BPL now hosts collections at nearly 200 off-site locations and provides services in 552 outreach sites. Most recently, Linda helped spearhead The Book of HOV, celebrating the life and work of JAY-Z. The installation is one of the only of its scope to be housed in an active public space and drew thousands to the Library.

Robin Lester Kenton joined Brooklyn Public Library in 2013 and currently serves as Executive Vice President for External Affairs. Lester Kenton leads the Library’s creative communication strategy including email and marketing campaigns, website development and branding across the borough. Under her leadership, BPL launched its national Books Unbanned campaign, providing teens across the US access to the library’s online catalog. Prior to joining BPL, Lester Kenton served as the director of strategic communication at the New York City Department of Transportation, initiating the agency’s social media presence and overseeing public street safety campaigns. Lester Kenton holds a BA in television radio and film from Syracuse University and an MA in sociology from the New School.

Damaris Olivo is the Communications Director for Brooklyn Public Library (BPL) and oversees the library’s overall media strategy. Recent campaigns include Books Unbanned, BPL’s 125th Anniversary celebrations, and most recently The Book of Hov, a tribute exhibition celebrating the career of Shawn “JAY-Z” Carter for the 50th anniversary of hip-hop. Previously she worked for the New York State Senate, where she spearheaded campaigns to make housing affordable, ban harmful chemicals from New York State Parks, and advance cultural competency in healthcare settings, among others. Damaris also served as Communications Director for the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission, where she oversaw media strategy for the landmarking of some of New York’s most iconic structures.

Community builder Rev. Dr. Donna Schaper served as Senior Minister of Judson Memorial Church from 2006 to 2021. She was formerly at Coral Gables Congregational Church in Miami and before that at Yale University, and teaches leadership at the Hartford Seminary. As an elder, she is passionately concerned about leaving the next generation well-prepared for all they have to face. She has written over 35 books including Approaching End of Life: A Practical and Spiritual Guide (2015), Grace at Table: Small Spiritual Solutions to Large Material Problems, Solving Everything (2013), to her most recent book I Heart Francis: Letters to the Pope from an Unlikely Admirer (2016), among many others. She is an Editor-at-Large at the Rail.