Brightwell assists adults in reading for entertainment, education

MADISON – For Michelle Brightwell, serving as Adult Services Librarian at Madison Public Library is fulfilling work.

“This is the job that I went to school for. This is my calling,” Brightwell said.

As Adult Services Librarian, Brightwell is responsible for entertaining and educational programs for adult library patrons. She also provides customer service and helps with the Makerspace equipment.

“I have been working in libraries since 2014. My first library job was as Adult Services Librarian at Guntersville Public Library,” Brightwell said.

In Guntersville, Brightwell worked with an assistant manager that she will never forget. “She was able to balance being the youth librarian with also being the assistant manager and keeping the library running,” Brightwell said. “She was a great example of how to be a servant leader as well.”

“My first position in the Huntsville-Madison County Public Library system was as Technology Training Center Assistant at the downtown branch,” she said. “Prior to working in libraries, I worked at Starbucks for many years, taught preschool and waited tables.”

Brightwell earned a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Alabama in Huntsville and a master’s degree in library and information science from San Jose State University.

Her husband works as a software engineer on Redstone Arsenal. The Brightwells have an eight-year-old son in third grade.

“In my spare time, I, of course, love to read — lately, I am particularly fond of audiobooks,” Brightwell said. “I enjoy baking. My specialty is cookies.” She likes to spend time outside with family and friends.

“If I were to host a Ted Talk, I could speak on one of these topics: ‘The history of the English Language: Why you shouldn’t be a grammar snob’; ‘Millennials will be just fine; leave them alone’ and ‘How to wing your eyeliner – A tutorial.'”