About

Jessica Ralli is a parent, writer, MLIS student, and Manager of Early Literacy Programs & Special Initiatives at Brooklyn Public Library where she develops programs for children 0-5 and their families, including BPL’s popular early literacy storytime series, Ready, Set, Kindergarten. Jessica created and curates the Early Childhood Educator Series at BPL, supporting educators, librarians, and practitioners working with young children. In 2023, Jessica helped to expand BPL’s Books Unbanned Initiative to young readers through Freedom to Read Storytimes, and in 2025, co-created the Freedom to Read Toolkit for Children and Families with the National Coalition Against Censorship and Unite Against Book Bans.

Jessica received her M.A. in Early Childhood Special Education from Teachers College, Columbia University, and taught for 10 years in early childhood settings. She writes about early literacy and libraries, most recently for the First Steps Column in School Libray Journal. Jessica loves to share and collaborate with library workers nationwide and has co-presented on various topics at the American Library Association, the New York Library Association, and the Urban Librarians Unite Conferences. In 2020, Jessica won the notable Library Journal “Movers and Shakers” award for her advocacy work in libraries. With Dr. Megan Madison, Jessica co-authored the critically acclaimed, award-winning First Conversations Series for Rise X Penguin Workshop. Jessica is currently pursuing her MS in Information and Library Science, and working on her next book project!