The Birmingham Library delays plans to close four branches after city officials protest
The Birmingham Public Library Board of Trustees has delayed a proposed vote to shut down four library branches after receiving criticism from city leaders, including Mayor Randall Woodfin.
In a letter to BPL staff sent out Oct. 8, board President Eunice Johnson Rogers said the board would consider shutting down the BPL’s East Ensley, Ensley, North Avondale and Titusville locations during its Oct. 12 meeting.
“Now we are challenged with supporting Mayor Woodfin’s vision of decreasing the number of Birmingham Public Library physical locations,” Rogers wrote. “After careful consideration, the BPL Board of Trustees recommends the permanent closure of the East Ensley, Ensley, North Avondale and Titusville Branch Libraries. All branch libraries identified for closure are located less than three miles from another BPL location.”
Rogers’ letter said staff from those branches would be reassigned to work at the BPL’s Five Points West, Avondale and North Birmingham branches.
“It would be great if we could continue to maintain each branch location, but in this current environment it is just not feasible,” Rogers wrote.
During Oct. 12’s City Council meeting, Council President William Parker said councilors found out about the proposed closures at the same time as staff.
“The first time that we received communication was about 5 p.m. on Friday afternoon,” he said, adding that the board had subsequently opted to remove the proposed closures from its agenda.
Parker assured the public that the vote had been delayed.
Despite being cited in Rogers’ letter, Woodfin said he had not been consulted on the decision and did not support the library closures.
“I haven’t spoken with President Rogers,” he said in a statement. “I have not been afforded the opportunity to share my vision with her or anyone on the library board. I am extremely disappointed in Ms. Rogers’ decision to announce plans to consider closing facilities without pausing to consult me, nor the council nor the residents. Such unilateral action by the library board president jeopardizes confidence in the board tasked with overseeing our libraries. The public expects better, and I expect better. The board has received recommendations from people they’ve hired to assess the library system. They should have an honest conversation with the public and open communications with the council and me rather than Ms. Rogers playing games.”
During Tuesday’s council meeting, Parker suggested that the council would soon appoint new members to the library board.
“There are some things this council can do and was prepared to do before the meeting at 4:30 p.m. today,” he said. “Some of the board members’ [terms] have expired, and some will be expiring fairly soon … We will deal with them accordingly. Overall, there are good people on the board, but I think sometimes they just put the cart before the horse.”
Federal judge orders Jefferson County to redraw racially gerrymandered districts
U.S. District Judge Madeline H. Haikala ruled the county map was unconstitutional because race was the predominant factor when the Jefferson County Commission drew districts.
Why beef prices are higher than ever (and shoppers are finally resisting)
American ranchers are raising the fewest cows in decades. Through the price increases, American shoppers have stayed loyal to their love of burgers and steaks — until now.
ABC pulls Jimmy Kimmel off air after comments made about the Charlie Kirk killing
ABC announced Wednesday that Jimmy Kimmel Live! would be off the air indefinitely following comments regarding speculation swirling around the suspect in the killing of Charlie Kirk.
What does the Google antitrust ruling mean for the future of AI?
A federal judge's mild ruling in the Justice Department's suit over Google's search engine monopoly has critics worried that the tech giant can now monopolize artificial intelligence.
Trump is deploying the National Guard to Memphis. Experts worry it’s becoming normal
The president signed an order earlier this week to send Tennessee state National Guard troops, along with officials from various federal departments and agencies, into Memphis, in an effort to fight crime. It's one of several U.S. cities Trump has singled out for such a move, testing the limits of presidential power and military force.
CDC’s vaccine advisers meet this week. Here’s how they could affect policy
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. chose everyone in the group. Their votes could affect vaccine access for certain childhood vaccines and and the COVID shots. Here's what's at stake.
