Titusville Library Branch Manager Reba Williams Named 2022 JCPLA Librarian of the Year
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| Titusville Library Branch Manager Reba Williams won the 2022 JCPLA Librarian of the Year. |
Titusville Library Branch Manager Reba Williams this week (December 6) was named by the Jefferson County Public Library Association as winner of its 2022 JCPLA Librarian of The Year Award.
The award is given by the JCPLA, (whose members include employees of nearly 40 county libraries), to celebrate the accomplishments of exceptional individuals or organizations who have made a significant contribution to the field of librarianship in Jefferson County.
Librarians are nominated by their staff within the Jefferson County. This year, JCPLA received several nominations before selecting Williams as the winner. The awards luncheon was held Tuesday at the Homewood Public Library.
"I am grateful to be recognized with this year’s Librarian of the Year Award," Williams said. "I am so thankful to my peers who nominated me for this honor. I also want to voice my gratitude to Dr. Behrat Mehra (Professor and EBSCO Endowed Chair in Social Justice Professor at the University of Alabama-Tuscaloosa), Angela Hall (Regional Librarian APLS), Mrs. Ka’ryn Davis West, (Birmingham Public Library Deputy Director), and Dr. Olvio Clay (University of Alabama Professor) who has provided guidance and support to my career over the last year or so. I deeply appreciate their confidence in me. Finally, I would like to thank my staff at Titusville. I am so grateful for the hard work of Romellia, Noelle, Linda, Leon, and Marvin. Thank you for being a team that I can always count on!"
Since becoming branch manager, Williams has won public accolades for creating several new programs that helped transform the Titusville Library and dramatically increasing attendance by patrons. Williams implemented new programming to "engage, educate and empower the community."
Chief among these programs has been the Titusville Community Resource Days, held every first Wednesday and Thursday of the month. At each event, patrons are provided with resources such as food boxes and diapers, along with access to medical and mental health services, the UAB Mobile Market, Mobile Wellness Unit, and senior citizens' consultations.
"Most people think libraries only offers books," Williams said. "But we are so much more."
Among the other programs and services Williams has begun at Titusville Library:
* This week, Williams hosted the first Titusville Christmas Resource Day, giving away 50 bicycles and other holiday gifts to families in need
* Monthly Titusville Senior Resource Day activities including free lunches, a senior Prom held this past May, and a senior Christmas event taking place later this month.
* Williams implemented a Titusville Senior Fitness Class for older adults and a Titusville Library TikTok Club for youth.
Williams, who has been employed for 20 years at the Birmingham Public Library, has a Master of Library and Information Studies from the University of Alabama.
"To make a change, you have to be wiling to step out and do something bold and daring," Williams said. "I'm blessed to be able to bridge the gaps for the patrons in the community of Titusville."
In March, Williams' success in transforming Titusville Library through a series of monthly food giveaways and other programs for seniors, youth and young adults led Williams to be the first person featured in the City of Birmingham's StrongHer campaign during Women's History Month.
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| Reba Williams with members of BPL leadership team and board member Lynn Flowers-Martin. |
See other photos of Reba Williams at the Jefferson County Public Library Association Awards luncheon held at Homewood Public Library below.
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