Jefferson County Commissioner Sheila Tyson to Give $55,700 Grant to BPL on Tuesday, August 2

 

Jefferson County District 2 Commissioner Sheila Tyson

Birmingham, Ala. - Jefferson County District 2 Commissioner Sheila Tyson announced today the commission is giving grant money totaling $55,700 to support the eight libraries in her district - East Ensley, Five Points West, Smithfield, West End, Titusville, Avondale, Powderly and Southside libraries.

Tyson will make the check presentation at the Titusville Branch Library, #2 6th Avenue Southwest, at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 2, during its Back-to-School Resource Day. 

 Tyson recommended funding of $55,700 from the Jefferson County Rapid Infrastructure Improvement Initiative for the Birmingham Public Library (BPL).

 The money will allow BPL to replace outdated photocopy equipment with up-to-date machines allowing for color printing, copying, and scanning. The grant will also support the purchase of audio-visual equipment, early literacy learning stations and library books. 

BPL Executive Director Janine Langston said the library system is appreciative of Tyson’s longstanding support of libraries in her district, including past funding of programs at West End Branch (such as its annual West End Community Christmas Concert). Langston said the Birmingham Public Library is honored to receive this grant from the Jefferson County Commission, adding it will help fulfill BPL’s role as a social anchor in the community to inform, educate and empower residents.

“Commissioner Tyson has been a long-time supporter of the Birmingham Public Library and has been recognized as a Library Champion (2016), an annual award presented to an individual or organization who has made a significant contribution to libraries and/or librarianship in Jefferson County, Alabama,” Langston said. “This grant, from the Jefferson County Rapid Infrastructure Improvement Initiative, will enable BPL to better serve not only the residents of District 2 but all who visit the Birmingham Public Library." 

Learn more about Commissioner Tyson from her Jeffco Commission 2 website by clicking here.  

A Birmingham native and business accountant, Commissioner Tyson has represented District 2 on the Jefferson County Commission since 2018. Before that, she spent six years representing District 6 on the Birmingham City Council (2013 to 2018).

Before entering politics, Commissioner Tyson built a reputation as a compassionate community leader serving as former president of the West End Community and on the Birmingham Citizens Advisory Board. Commissioner Tyson studied business accounting at the Quartermaster School in the U.S. Army.

During her years of service, Commissioner Tyson has received numerous awards. Among them: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Keeper of the Dream Award from the NAACP; Martin Parents Against Violence Award; Metro Birmingham Women’s History Award; Metro Birmingham Branch NAACP; 2012 Believers Award; First Responders Award; Birmingham Police Department Community Award; Voting Rights and Social Justice Round table from the National Black Women Round table; Woman of the Year Award from the Alabama NAACP; Outstanding Community Service Award; Odessa Woolfolk Community Service; Stars Fell on Alabama; Black Women’s Round table Phenomenal Award; Alla’s Elite Person Award. 

Commissioner Tyson is also a member of the National Community Reinvestment Coalition, Neighborhood USA, Birmingham Board of Education Executive Committee, UAB Minority Health & Health Disparities Research, a lifetime AIDS and HIV advocate, a part of nine PTA’s, started a nonprofit called Building Healthy Communities.

 In July 2017, she was selected to travel to Kenya and empower women in politics abroad.

About the Birmingham Public Library

For additional information about the programs and services of the Birmingham Public Library, visit our website at www.cobpl.org and be sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter @BPL. The mission of Birmingham Public Library is to provide the highest quality library 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.