Lead the Way: Libraries at the Heart of Community Engagement

Kellee Forkenbrock is the award-winning Public Services Librarian for North Liberty Library in North Liberty, Iowa. She assists with the recruitment and leadership of the library’s assistant staff as well as serves as the business engagement liaison for the library. Kellee has spoken about library outreach and engagement on behalf of organizations such as the American Library Association (ALA), Association for Rural & Small Libraries (ARSL), and the Entrepreneurship and Libraries Conference (ELC). Kellee is also a Certified Pilates Instructor and will begin yoga teacher training in Fall 2024. She launched her movement coaching brand, The Goddess Grounded LLC, in May 2024.

Kellee earned an MLIS from the University of Iowa as well as certifications in both Digital Humanities and Entrepreneur Librarianship. Prior to launching her career as a library professional, her twenty-plus years of experience in the private sector includes project management, public relations, and multimedia advertising. Kellee is active in her community, having lent her service to the Iowa City Public Library Board of Trustees, Girls on the Run of Eastern Iowa, and currently as an Ambassador for Greater Iowa City and as Board Vice President for Iowa City UNESCO City of Literature.