Janine Langston Named Executive Director of the Birmingham Public Library

 

Janine Langston, Executive Director of the Birmingham Public Library.

Birmingham, Ala. - Janine Langston, a 35-year veteran employee of the Birmingham Public Library, has been named as BPL’s new executive director. Langston's promotion was announced during the BPL Board of Trustees meeting Tuesday night, December 14, 2021.

Langston had previously served as interim executive director since December 2020. Prior to that board appointment, she spent two years as BPL's deputy director. 

Eunice Rogers, president of the BPL Board of Trustees, said the board has been impressed with Langston’s work as interim director as she led BPL through the pandemic. 

"The Board of Trustees is very pleased to announce the appointment of Mrs. Janine Langston as our Executive Director," Rogers said. "She has helped to lead the Library System through the pandemic and has demonstrated her commitment to serve our library over the past 35 years. We look forward to working with her as she brings new and innovative service, and continues to strategically uphold the mission of the Birmingham Public Library.  

Langston said she is honored that the BPL Board of Trustees selected her as executive director.

 “The Birmingham Public Library has a long history of serving the City of Birmingham, and I look forward to working alongside a dedicated and talented team as the Executive Director,” Langston said.

Langston has a bachelor’s degree in interior furnishings and equipment from Auburn University (1982) and a Master's degree of Library and Information Studies from The University of Alabama (1988). She is active in several professional organizations, including the BPL Staff Association, Jefferson County Library Association, Alabama Library Association, American Library Association, Public Library Association, and Association for Library Services to Children.

Langston began her BPL career at Wylam Branch Library in 1986, where she spent six years as a neighborhood librarian. She was then promoted and spent seven years (1992-1999) as children’s librarian and regional department head at Avondale Regional Branch Library. 

From 1999 through 2019 (20 years), Langston served as BPL’s Literacy, Outreach and Youth Services coordinator, developing and overseeing literacy outreach projects and system-wide youth services. Prior to being appointed as BPL deputy director, Langston served as BPL western regional manager from 2010 to 2019 and BPL northern regional manager from 2017 to 2019. 

A graduate of the Junior League of Birmingham Leadership Institute, Langston has won several awards and recognition, including the Childcare Resources 2007 Children’s Advocate Award, Jefferson County Library 2008 Shining Star Award for Born to Read @ Your Library, and honorable mention in the 2009 American Library Association, Outreach and Diversity Fair.

About BPL

The mission of the Birmingham Public Library is to provide the highest quality experience to our community for life-long learning, cultural enrichment, and enjoyment. This system—with 18 locations and serving the community for over 130 years—is one of the largest library systems in the southeast. For additional information about the programs and services of the Birmingham Public Library, follow us on Facebook and Twitter @BPL.