Birmingham Public Library hosts community meet and greet

On the evening of Aug. 3, the Birmingham Public Library hosted a meet and greet event as a way to thank the many neighbors who use the library and have supported the institution throughout the years. 

Georgia Morgan Blair, president of the Birmingham Public Library Board, said the idea was presented to the board by library employees Tiffanie Jeter and Melvia Walton. She said 150-200 people were estimated to be in attendance for the event, representing a large variety of neighborhoods.

"I'm really excited about it," Blair said. "We embraced it [their idea] as a board."

In addition to the community members who were able to socialize and meet one another, attendees also heard from board members, councilors and Mayor William Bell. He spoke of the first time he and his friends visited a library, reading his first book "The Five Chinese Brothers," and how that altered his childhood. 

"Education would change our lives in ways we would never expect," he said. Bell stressed the importance of libraries in the community and said while there are still issues with this branch, they are in the process of being addressed.

David Herring, president of the Friends Foundation of the Birmingham Public Library, called for more community members to volunteer their time with local libraries as well, and James Sullivan, president of the Central City Neighborhood Association and vice president of the Birmingham Public Library Board said they hope to make this an annual event.

On Aug. 22, residents can contribute additional support by eating at Rojo from 5 p.m. to midnight, during which time 10 percent of all food proceeds will be given to the Young Professionals of the Birmingham Public Library.

"This is all about the community at the end of the day," Walton said.