New Youth Librarian Joins Jefferson Branch Staff

The Jefferson Branch library has seen its share of challenges over the past four years. First, major renovations closed it for months. Then, a couple of weeks after reopening with a beautiful new interior, the pandemic closed it down again. Staff shortages lingered even after the library reopened, leaving the Jefferson Branch without a youth librarian, and kids in Morningside and nearby communities without a full roster of children’s activities.

All that has changed now with the arrival of Tracy Malek, our new Assistant Manager and Youth Librarian. In the month that she has been here, Tracy has begun hosting an after-school story time every Thursday at 4 p.m. You can celebrate Earth Day with crafts on Saturday, April 22, at 2 p.m.

Next month’s calendar includes a Mothers’ Day craft-making party on Saturday, May 13 at 11 a.m. and “Slime Time” on Saturday, May 20 at 2 p.m. Making “slime” is a great way for kids to learn some science while having fun.

Tracy brings a wide range of experience to her job at the Jefferson Branch. She’s been a librarian since 1999, mostly in children’s services. She says she really enjoys working with families and younger people, and wants to be a “good role model.”

A native of Hamtramck, Tracy lived and worked in three other states before coming back home to the Detroit area. She knows her way around the Detroit Public Library system as well, having worked at the main library and the Edison and Duffield Branches before settling in at Jefferson.

Tracy’s leisure time interests include making collage art to sell on Etsy, reading (of course!), gardening, and volunteering with animal rescue - everything from dogs and cats to rabbits and parrots.

Tracy’s leisure time interests include making collage art to sell on Etsy, reading (of course!), gardening, and volunteering with animal rescue - everything from dogs and cats to rabbits and parrots.

She says she’s pleased to see more families with children moving into the neighborhood and looks forward to growing the children’s program.