Titusville Branch Manager Reba Williams Receives University of Alabama 2024 SLIS Alumni Award

Titusville Library Branch Manager with University of Alabama 2024 SLIS Alumni of the Year Award.

Congratulations to Titusville Branch Manager Reba Williams on receiving the University of Alabama's 2024 SLIS Alumni of the Year Award, presented on April 4 during a special Honors day ceremony on campus in Tuscaloosa . The award recognizes the alumnus of the year in UA's College of Library & Information Sciences. Williams received her master's from UA's SLIS in 2020.   

 Reba Williams is a dedicated and compassionate individual and has emerged as a powerful voice for the oppressed in the Titusville Community, Alabama, combating information poverty through her role as the Manager of the Titusville Public Library, a branch of the Birmingham Public Library.  Williams' positionality as an African American public librarian who grew up in the American South has provided her with an understanding of the difficulties faced by diverse cultures.   

Williams has presented several new information literacy initiatives, technology training workshops, information/resource events, and collaborations with local organizations. These activities were to provide culturally relevant information on literacy, healthcare, job opportunities, and legal rights for residents of the Titusville community. By collaborating with schools, business stakeholders, community centers, and social services, she created a network of support to uplift individuals living near the library. 

Williams has made a positive difference to the Birmingham community through the extended role of the public librarian. She established a safe and brave space environment at her public library through community service and the facilitation of interactive programs for youth, teens, and adults. Additionally, she made ongoing visits to schools and hospitals to pursue partnerships, contributing in a meaningful manner to the residents of Birmingham.  

 Williams has received many public accolades for creating meaningful programs that assisted with the transformation of her community and library at Titusville. These include:

*   JCLC Librarian of the Year Award 2022-2023   

* WVTM 13 Community Champion Award 2023   

* City of Birmingham's StrongHer awardee during Women's History Month (March 2023). She received a City of Birmingham Resolution for the award and  is featured in the city's new StrongHer book, available at the Friends of BPL  Bookstore in the Central Library downtown.

Williams has actively engaged with Titusville to better understand the unique needs via auto-ethnographic research, surveys, community meetings, etc. Determined to make a difference, she has implemented new non-traditional, innovative programs to address the community's specific needs.