Pratt City Library's Reopening Scheduled for February 10

The Pratt City Branch Library, which was severely damaged in an April 27, 2011, tornado, has been rebuilt and will reopen on February 10 at 10:00 a.m. with a grand reopening ceremony and reception. A new library feature is a storm shelter with reinforced concrete walls.

"The new building not only has a safe room, but has been strengthened in other ways to withstand high winds,'' says Renee Blalock, director of the Birmingham Public Library. "The design is not only practical, but also beautiful. The staff looks forward to providing improved services to friends and patrons in Pratt City.''

When the tornado hit, the library’s steel frame was one of the only salvageable parts left of a building that was built in 1993. During the planning process to rebuild, the City of Birmingham insisted that a storm shelter be incorporated into the new design. The goal was to provide protection from future tornadoes and wind events. During the February 10 reopening ceremony, Mayor William A. Bell, Sr., U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell, city council members, and others are scheduled to speak. The public is invited to attend.

"We are very excited that the Birmingham Public Library will once again be providing library services to the citizens of Pratt City,'' says Blalock.

Other features include a terrazzo floor marked with major Pratt City landmarks, new study rooms, a business center, and youth and teen areas accented with bright and inviting colors. The branch's collection has more than 7, 000 items. The library is at Dugan Avenue and Hibernian Street. Crews and library staff are working to put the finishing touches on the library for the Jan. 30 opening.

The Pratt City Branch Library is one of 19 locations within the Birmingham Public Library system.