About me:

May 3, 2025

JOE O’BRIEN is a public librarian in Livingston, NJ, specializing in media & content. They host & produce L-Town Radio, the Livingston Public Library’s monthly podcast, and make fun, engaging videos for the library’s social media. Joe has won New Jersey Library Association Awards for Innovative Programming (2021) and Public Relations (2024), and was named one of Library Journal‘s “Movers & Shakers” for 2025.

Away from the library, Joe’s works of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry have been published by various journals and websites. Joe founded the independent literary magazine FLAPPERHOUSE in 2014, and served as Managing Editor during its five-year run. They occasionally make lo-fi rock & folk music in their spare time.

Joe holds a BFA in film & television from New York University, and a Master of Information degree from Rutgers University. They previously worked for Playwrights Horizons, the Strand Bookstore, and the Associated Press. They live in West Orange, NJ.

Moving, Shaking, and Community Building

May 6, 2025

It’s a great honor to be named one of Library Journal’s Movers & Shakers (“the people shaping the future of libraries”) for 2025. I was recognized as a “Community Builder” and “Hometown Hero” for helping library community members share their stories & preserve local history through podcasting, zine-making, and digitizing analog recordings.

I’m grateful to my library’s Director, Amy Babock; Associate Director, Melissa Brisbin; and Head of Adult Services, Jessica Voitko, for nominating me and for being so supportive of my work.

I’m grateful to the rest of the staff at the Livingston Public Library, who make it such a great place to work.

I’m grateful to the community of Livingston, and to the people there who have shared their stories with me over the years.

I’m grateful to William Neumann photography and Library Journal’s creative team for such a lovely photo shoot, and of course the LJ staff who selected me for this honor.

Last but not least, I’m grateful to Ashley, PJ, and the rest of my family for being the best & helping me get where I am today.