BPL Honors Volunteers Who Help Make Birmingham Public Libraries Special
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| Volunteer Alice Huggins teaches a crochet class that is extremely popular at Pratt City Library. |
Among the many BPL volunteers highlighted for their contributions in 2019-20:
* Supporters who keep the BPL Friends Bookstore operational
* A couple who provided science education activities at Ensley Branch Library
* Presenters of quilting workshops at West End and North Birmingham libraries
* Instructors who teach young people how to play chess at East Lake Library and West End Library.
* Volunteers who help collect and process collections in the BPL Archives Department
* An insurance agent who helps patrons navigate Medicare and SCORE mentors who host monthly small business workshops at the Central Library
Here are some library shout outs to volunteers who assisted their patrons over the past year. Note: There are many others not on this list who provide valuable contributions at other BPL locations across the city.
BPL Archives Department
Mary Lynn Berzet has volunteered in BPL Archives for several years, processing collections and creating databases. She is currently creating a database of inmates from the old Jefferson County Poor Farm, and so far has entered information on more than 10,000 people.
“This will be of great value to genealogists and historians,” BPL Archives Department Head Jim Baggett said.
Gary Gerlach processes collections, especially architectural drawings and photographs. He also assists with reference questions, monitors the Archives’ temperature and humidity, and maintains its fleet of dehumidifiers. A volunteer for nearly 20 years. Gerlach received a 2019 JCLC Library Champion Award for his work in BPL Archives.
Damian McCrickard began volunteering with BPL Archives in 2019. He has processed collections, digitized historic documents, and is currently working on a project to identify and locate LGBTQ+ historic sites in the Birmingham area.
BPL Friends Bookstore
The BPL Friends Bookstore, located in the Central Library East Building, sells books and other items that help provide needed funding for BPL services.
BPL thanks these volunteers below helped sort books and place them on shelves, and assisted customers:
Katie Cop Montgomery, Wynne Dimock, Michael Gray, Yvonne Brakefield Knowles, Frances Kulovitz, Phil Regulinsk, Pat Rumore, Larry Stinson, Arthur Tyson, Hope Cooper, and Celia Huston.
Michael Gray also supports the BPL Friends Bookstore by using his pickup truck to pick up book donations. He delivers some of the donations to nursing homes and senior centers. Katie Cop Montgomery often helps him. Frances Kulovitz keeps track of the snacks the BPL Friends Bookstore sells and makes a ’shopping list’ for Phil Regulinski, who makes a run every week to purchase what is needed. Frances also helps keep the bookstore neat.
Central Library Business, Science & Technology/Social Sciences Department
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| Albert McWilliams, Sr. teaches a monthly Medicare workshop at the Central Library |
• Albert McWilliams, Sr., presenter of monthly programs on Medicare
McWilliams has presented a program, “ Let’s Talk About Medicare: Questions and Answers,” on the first Thursday of the month at the Central Library in August 2019. A licensed Medicare agent since 2001 and a licensed Affordable Care Act agent since 2013, his experience enables him to provide a valuable service in his classroom presentation and answer sessions.
Medicare rules and regulations are complicated and constantly revised by the federal government to meet the changing needs of consumers and the insurance industry. Anyone providing information to the public about Medicare must, therefore, be diligent in keeping up with these revisions in order to insure that what is being conveyed is accurate and up to date.
“I am constantly impressed by the extent of his knowledge of Medicare and his ability to explain its intricacies to our patrons,” said Jim Murray, head of the Business Science & Technology Department. “As a programming librarian, you always to want to make sure that your presenters are credible, reputable, and reliable, especially when the topic being presented concerns medical and/or legal issues. Mr. McWilliams most definitely meets these criteria and I am grateful to have him as a BPL volunteer presenter. I hope he continues to collaborate with us for many years to come.”
• SCORE Mentors Mark Richenderfer, Paul Bebenek, Alim Thompson, and Gary West, presenters of monthly Steps to Starting Your Business Workshops
BPL’s collaboration with the local chapter of SCORE has been ongoing since 2016. The Steps to Starting Your Business program attracts a loyal following of enthusiastic patrons, and remains one of the Central Library’s most attended continuing workshops.
“Mark, Paul, Alim, Gary are all veteran small business owners and they are passionate about sharing their knowledge and expertise with those who want to start down the path of entrepreneurial adventure,” Murray said. “Their programs are always well attended and you can tell participants are eager to learn by the number and variety of questions that are asked of the presenters.”
Not only do the SCORE mentors make a classroom presentation, they also make sure that they stick around afterwards to share one-on-one advice with attendees and take reservations for formal mentoring sessions where each individual’s business ideas are discussed and evaluated. “I also especially appreciate the time that they give me to promote BPL’s small business development resources during each of the monthly programs,” Murray said. “Access to business and economic development opportunities help to strengthen our community and I am grateful to our SCORE volunteers for helping BPL provide public programs that serve to increase and enhance this access.”
East Lake Branch Library
• Avery Hurt, a local author, has presented several book talks at the library.
• David Harris, Chess master - Teaches chess to afterschool children and adults.
• Kelton Barkely – Assists with library programs, and general tasks at the library
• Quinton Bryant - Assists with library programs, and general tasks at the library
Ensley Branch Library
For more than a decade, Elinor and Winfield Burks have provided science activities for patrons ranging from young kids to adults. The Burks are very passionate about providing activities and programs for Ensley Library’s young and adult patrons. They are also very strong advocates for the branch.
North Avondale Branch Library
Bennie Edwards is a pleasant and loyal volunteer who has assisted North Avondale Library for over five years, including helping with program setups and breakdowns.
“Bennie also assists with light duties to keep the library nice and tidy,” Branch Manager Saundra Ross said. “Whenever he is volunteering and is still on site when we close, Bennie provides a watchful eye when we’re walking to our cars. Bennie is a very valuable volunteer to us all.”
North Birmingham Regional Library
Doris Calmese, who has been instructor for a crochet class at North Birmingham Library for more than 20 years. The class meets twice a week and loves teaching the craft to new participants.
Pratt City Branch Library
Alice Huggins teaches a crochet class that is extremely popular at Pratt City Library.
Springville Road Regional Library
Kelly Laney, a librarian who coordinates senior activities at Springville Road, said the following 2019-20 volunteers provided invaluable service to help make the library special: Patsy Barnes, Dawn Fitzgerald, Shirley Forest, Athena Jackson, Marty Holcomb, Nona Jawad, Aaron Limbaugh, Michelle Peters, Michael Wade, and Michelle Wade.
West End Branch Library
Joan Black teaches a free weekly crochet class at the West End Branch Library. This year West End Staff and the Crochet Class celebrated her 10th year of volunteering at West End Branch.
Jeanette Dallas has been a volunteer at West End Branch since 2006. Over the years, Mrs. Dallas has helped set up, serve, staff, break down and clean up, library programs; helped at the circulation desk; shelved books; kept our plants alive and made us feel like we mattered by her quiet dedication.
James Laster and Eddie Billingsley have been teaching the Youth Chess Class at West End Branch for three years. Chess teaches a higher level of thinking skills such as the ability to visualize, analyze, and think critically and the young people love it.
Starleta Lewis - West End Branch Manager Maya Jones says Starleta Lewis, a volunteer for the past three years, is artistically talented, creative, and enjoys decorating the library bulletin board each month. Starleta also helps at the Circulation Desk and asists with shelving when needed.
UAB Honors College Afterschool Tutoring - The students at UAB Honors College have provided afterschool tutoring for elementary school students for two years. The students, parents and West End Staff appreciate their help.
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