Thinking Outside the Box—North Avondale Library Hosting Cowboy, Boots & Books, Awesome On Purpose Girls Mentoring Programs

Branch head Saundra Ross and Marie Nash (2nd and 3rd from left) are the creative team
responsible for the innovative programs at the North Avondale Branch Library, both for adults
and children. Here they are presented with an Innovative and Cool Award by board members
Eunice Rogers (far left) and Gwendolyn Amamoo.

With her library adjacent to Hayes K-8 School, North Avondale Library Branch Manager Saundra Ross strives to come up with programs that fill a need and introduce young people to a world outside their environment.

Two new programs being offered at the North Avondale Branch Library fit that mold. At 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 22, the library will host Cowboy, Boots & Books in which a black Birmingham cowboy will talk to students about what it is like to be a cowboy. On Tuesday, February 28, at 9:00 a.m., the library will host the weekly Awesome On Purpose mentoring session designed to build a positive self-image in young girls and teenagers.

Hands On Youth Activities participant

Ross said it is part of North Avondale Library’s desire to serve the community. “With our cowboy program, the kids will get to meet Todd Morris,” Ross said. “They will make paper cowboy boots and hear him talk about what cowboys do. He will show them how cowboys use rope to lasso cattle, and explain about the spurs on the boots.”

Ross is really excited about the new girls mentoring program. During the February 14 meeting Cocoa and Cupcakes, volunteers spoke to young girls from Hayes K-8 School about how to build self-esteem, she said.

Children's Picture Book Club

The North Avondale Library in 2016 won two Innovative and Cool Awards from the Birmingham Public Library Board of Trustees for both the Cowboy, Boots & Books program and an adult coloring program called Love to Color @ My Library.

The library also hosts two book clubs, one for adults called Chapter Chatters and one for youth called The Children’s Picture Book Club. Last year, North Avondale Library patrons also built a community quilt won by a 10-year-old girl who lives in the community. It was a partnership with Juliette Watts, founder of Hands On Youth Activities Programs Inc., a nonprofit which has done quilting, flip-flops and other hands-on craft workshops at the North Avondale Library since 2015.

To learn more about the North Avondale Library, visit them on Facebook and Flickr. Visit the BPL event calendar and search Location: North Avondale Branch for a list of upcoming programs.