ABOUT US

Our facility is nestled in the heart of downtown Bessemer. The Bessemer Public Library Staff, Board, and community envision a future in which everyone can enjoy an intellectual and culturally rich life. Our community celebrates and appreciates diversity. We strive to provide an environment that is welcoming, accessible, and comfortable for all.

OUR MISSION

To maintain and improve the quality of life for all citizens of our community by providing resources that enhance and contribute to individual knowledge, enlightenment, lifelong learning and enjoyment in the most efficient manner possible. The library also strives to guide young people toward a love of books and other library materials as a means of satisfying their needs and interests.

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OMAR CHAPMAN
LIBRARY DIRECTOR

OUR HISTORY

The formation of a free public library was first organized in December 1905 by a group of women who secured the donation of the site from the Bessemer Coal and Land Company. They then lobbied for assistance from the city in seeking a grant from the Carnegie Foundation. It was established by a resolution of the Bessemer City Council as Bessemer Carnegie Library and opened its doors in September 1907 at 321 North 18th Street, a small brick structure at the corner of 18th Street and 4th Avenue.

The City of Bessemer was given the Old Post Office building at 400 North 19th Street to use for the public library in 1965. After remodeling it in 1967, the library was renamed the Bessemer Public Library and moved to that location. The previous library in Bessemer charged a fee for removing materials. The pay library donated its 500 volumes to the new public library when it opened. In April 2000, the residents of the City of Bessemer passed an ad valor tax referendum to fund the building of a new library. In order to renovate and expand the library building, the library underwent a $4.5 million expansion from 15,600 to 43,200 square feet. The new state of the art, three-tier facility was completed in August 2008.

BESSEMER PUBLIC LIBRARY BOARD OF DIRECTORS

A board of five trustees governs the Library. The Bessemer City Council appoints the trustees for four-terms. The terms should overlap so that at least one trustee is appointed or re-appointed each year. The library board is granted authority over library service and sets policy for the library, elects the Library Director and oversees expenditures. The regular meeting date for the Board is the third Thursday of each month. The Board conducts at least 6 meetings a year with a quorum of 3 or more trustees present. All meetings are open to the public.