Baldwin Director named Librarian of the Year

Baldwin Public Library Director Rebekah Craft has been named Librarian of the Year by the Michigan Library Association.

Craft has been the director of the Baldwin Public Library since January 2021 and prior to that time had been the associate director since July 2015. She had previously been with the Rochester Hills Public Library.

Craft was nominated for the annual award for her work this past year securing agreement with Birmingham officials that the Baldwin Public Library was independent of the city, an issue that had been unresolved prior to now. Library board member Wenmdy Friedman, with support from staff at the library, made the nomination.

The nomination for Craft’s award noted that “Rebekah considered the legalities of Baldwin Public Library's formation and boldly advocated that public libraries remain free from political or financial coercion. Her leadership during this critical moment was marked by clarity, resolve, and deep ethical commitment. She demonstrated what it means to lead both competently and courageously. “

Craft was further recognized for her continued push for a policy of inclusion at the Baldwin Public Library.

Her nomination included the following:

“Rebekah also empowered a 30-member staff task force focused on Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access (IDEA). When the group proposed a new inclusion statement—meant to replace one written after George Floyd's murder—some board members hesitated, citing political sensitivities. But Rebekah firmly believed that inclusion is not optional or political—it is central to the library's mission.

Her quiet strength and principled leadership resulted in a revised and broader inclusion statement reaffirming our library's values. The board passed it unanimously. More importantly, the process united the staff, elevated their voices, and gave them agency to shape the library's culture. This kind of leadership doesn't just change policies—it transforms people.

In these major initiatives and her day-to-day leadership, Rebekah Craft shows what is possible when vision meets courage. She is a champion of good governance and equitable access and a model of modern library leadership.”

Dillon Geshel, Michigan Library Association Director, issued the following about the award for Craft:

"The Michigan Library Awards recognize librarians, volunteers and advocates that go above and beyond to elevate what libraries do with and for their communities each year. We are thrilled to award our 2025 Librarian of The Year honor to Rebekah Craft, Director of the Baldwin Public Library. Rebekah's accomplishments and skills represent exactly what libraries need in a dynamic library director: a commitment and focus to staff empowerment that helps elevate their voices, a steadfast dedication to library advocacy and good governance, and a passion for ensuring libraries are equitable spaces for all."