BPL Staff Celebrate National Library Workers Day

Earnest Wrenn wishing BPL employees a Happy National Library Workers Day. 

As employees work tirelessly from home due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Birmingham Public Library is celebrating National Library Workers Day today, Tuesday, April 21, 2020.

National Library Workers Day is a day set aside during National Library Week for library staff, users, administrators and Friends groups to acknowledge the valuable contributions of library workers from top administrators to front line staff.

Although BPL cannot have in-person celebrations due to its buildings being closed, BPL is highlighting the critical role all workers play in keeping our libraries running, both during normal operations and virtually 24/7.

Chris Reid of the Central Library Youth Department produced a video featuring several employees holding up signs with encouraging messages for library workers, plus hashtags such as #Bhamstrong. The national hashtag is #NLWD20.

See link to the BPL National Library Workers Day  video by clicking on the BPL Facebook page  https://www.facebook.com/BirminghamPublicLibrary/

BPL Board of Trustees President Eunice Johnson Rogers said the board is extremely proud of each library worker. Throughout the year, they work diligently to ensure the library functions at a high level of excellence, and staff dedication to the library has continued as they adapted to working from home.

"As we navigate these uncharted waters, our employees have risen to the challenge of keeping afloat access to the library available 24/7," Mrs. Rogers said. "Many of them like all of us are dealing with family, loved ones, close quarters and sheltering in place. We  thank each of you for your unwavering service."

BPL Executive Director Floyd Council said he appreciates the hard work employees provide throughout the year. BPL has an incredible collection of library talent, programming and skilled employees passionate about serving our community, Council said. "Even in COVID-19, we launched virtual services and are continuing to engage the public as much as we can. We are continuing to promote the Census 2020 online."

In a video posted  on the BPL Facebook page, Council said National Library Workers Day is a great time to "celebrate the amazing work every single member of the BPL staff put in every day to provide a high level of service and community engagement" for library patrons.       

"To the Honorable Mayor Randall Woodfin, Council President (William) Parker, the mayor's leadership team, the City Council, the BPL Board of Trustees, the Friends Foundation, all retirees, and most importantly all of our current staff, I want to wish you a Happy National Library Week," Council said.

Throughout National Library Week (April 19 through Saturday, April 25), BPL will join other libraries nationwide spotlighting how libraries continue to remain relevant during the coronavirus pandemic. This year’s theme is “Find Your Place at the Library.”

Though library doors are not currently open, BPL patrons can still find a place in the library by accessing virtual services at any time day or night from the comfort of their homes. To see our virtual database of audiobooks, e-books, downloadable movies and music CDs, click on http://www.cobpl.org/virtual/databases/

To check out the variety of free programs BPL is offering online during National Library Week and beyond, click here

Other upcoming National Library Week highlights are as follows:

 • Wednesday, April 22, National Bookmobile Day, set aside to recognize national bookmobiles and the dedicated professionals who make bookmobile outreach available in their communities.

 • Thursday, April 23: Take Action for Libraries Day, a day to rally advocates for libraries. Post on social media how your local libraries make your community stronger, using the hashtag #LibrariesStrong.