Birmingham Public Library Board of Trustees Elects New Officers for 2026

 

L-R Cherie Dortch, Parliamentarian; Lynn Flowers-Martin, President; Yolanda Hardy, Vice-President.

Birmingham Public Library Board of Trustees Elects New Officers for 2026

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Birmingham Public Library Board of Trustees has elected a new slate of officers to guide the board through 2026, selecting three community leaders with extensive backgrounds in education, public service, and civic engagement.

The officers were installed during the Board of Trustees meeting on June 9 at East Lake Branch Library.

The newly elected officers are:

• President: Lynn Flowers-Martin
• Vice President: Yolanda Hardy
• Parliamentarian: Cherie D. Dortch

In addition to the installation of the new officers, two newly appointed members of the Library Board of Trustees were installed: Sam South and Niaya Nelms.

Lynn Flowers-Martin, President

Flowers-Martin enters her sixth year on the Birmingham Public Library Board of Trustees after first being appointed in 2019. A Birmingham native, she devoted 37 years to Birmingham City Schools as an educator.

She earned a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, a master's degree in Elementary Education, and AA Certification in Elementary Education from Alabama State University.

Her community involvement includes service with the Tri-County (AL) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated; the Board of Directors for the Virginia Samford Theatre; Phi Delta Kappa Sorority, Inc.; the Birmingham Education Association; the Alabama Education Association; the Imperial Club, Inc.; Birmingham Retired Chicks; and Forty-Fifth Street Baptist Church. She also previously served on the Birmingham Arts & Culture Commission Board.

"I am honored to serve as president of the Birmingham Public Library Board of Trustees and grateful for the confidence my fellow board members have placed in me,” Mrs. Flowers-Martin said.” Libraries are among the most powerful tools we have for transforming lives, expanding opportunities, and strengthening communities. I look forward to helping tell the story of how Birmingham's libraries educate, inspire, and empower residents of all ages every day. Our goal is to ensure that every citizen understands the value of our library system and the important role it plays in shaping Birmingham's future."

 

 

 

 

Yolanda Hardy, Vice President

Hardy brings decades of library leadership to her role as vice president. She retired from Birmingham Public Library in 2020 after a distinguished 37-year career, serving most recently as Public Regional Manager.

Her career began in 1979 as a library page at Ensley Library and expanded to leadership positions overseeing nine library locations, including Smithfield, Titusville, Ensley, and several departments within Central Library.

Hardy earned a Bachelor of Science in Social Work from Miles College and a Master of Library and Information Science from the University of Alabama.

Since joining the board in 2022, Hardy has continued her lifelong commitment to library service, community partnerships, literacy, and public engagement. She has also served with numerous community organizations, including the Local Authors Expo and the Parker Community School Advisory Board, and has received multiple community service recognition throughout her career.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cherie D. Dortch, Parliamentarian

Dortch, who joined the Board of Trustees in 2024, serves as Contracts Agent Senior in Supply Chain Management for Southern Company Services.

She earned a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Tuskegee University and a Master of Science in Supply Chain and Logistics Management from the University of Alabama in Huntsville.

A longtime community volunteer, Dortch has held numerous leadership positions with Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Omicron Omega Chapter, where she currently serves as chair of the Fundraising Committee and Enhance Our Environment Committee. She is also a Team Captain for March of Dimes and serves on the advisory board for Jones Valley Teaching Farm and the Cultural & Educational Advancement Foundation, Inc.

Birmingham Public Library Executive Director Janine Langston said BPL employees appreciate the willingness of these outstanding leaders to serve as officers of the Library Board of Trustees. 

"Their experience, dedication, and commitment to public service will help guide the library system as we continue expanding opportunities for learning, literacy, and community engagement throughout Birmingham,” she said.

About the Birmingham Public Library Board of Trustees

The Birmingham Public Library Board of Trustees serves as the governing body of the Birmingham Public Library, providing oversight of the library system, its branches, and library properties in accordance with Alabama law and the Birmingham City Code. The board establishes policies for the library's governance, appoints the library's executive director, oversees library resources and facilities, and helps ensure that Birmingham Public Library continues to fulfill its mission of providing free access to information, lifelong learning opportunities, and community services for residents throughout Birmingham.