For Immediate Release December 8, 2015

Jefferson County Public Library Association Presents Awards to Community Library Champions

Birmingham, AL – The Jefferson County Public Library Association recently honored six Library Champions during its annual holiday luncheon at The Florentine Building in Birmingham, Alabama. The purpose of the luncheon was to recognize the outstanding achievements of volunteers and community partners. The Library Champion Award is presented annually by the Jefferson County Public Library Association. The award recognizes an individual or organization that has made a significant contribution(s) to libraries and/or librarianship in Jefferson County, Alabama.

The honorees are as follows:

Carmelo Aliano was nominated by Jean Shanks on behalf of the BPL Wylam Branch.
Mr. Aliano's diligent work with local leadership has been instrumental in getting a new library building for the Wylam community.

Dionne Clark was nominated by Sandi Lee on behalf of the BPL Woodlawn Branch.
Ms. Clark has been an integral part of the launch and success of the Prime Time Family Reading Time program.

John William Flakes was nominated by Luella Perry on behalf of the Walter J. Hanna- Fairfield Public Library.
Mr. Flakes volunteered as a photographer for special events, printed photos and created community-centered displays in the library. He departed this life in April of this year.

John Krontiras was nominated by Deborah Fout on behalf of the Homewood Public Library.
Mr. Krontiras has supported the library over twenty years, is a founding member of the Homewood Library Foundation Board, and has been an invaluable part of fundraising efforts.

Elizabeth McCormick was nominated by Karen Carroll on behalf of the Leeds Jane Culbreth Public Library.
Ms. McCormick has been instrumental in securing supply and equipment donations for library crafting events and has organized a regular sewing program at the Leeds Library annex.

James "Jim" White, III was nominated by Olivia Alison on behalf of BPL Central.
Mr. White is a founding officer of the BPL Foundation Board and has given more than 17 years of volunteer service.

View pictures from this event: http://www.freelancepictures.com/Work/JCPLA-Holiday-Luncheon/

Contact: Michelle Hamrick
Irondale Public Library
Phone: (205) 951-1415
E-mail: mdhamrick@bham.lib.al.us
Website: www.jclc.org
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/jeffcolibrary
Twitter: http://twitter.com/JeffCoLibAL

The Public Libraries In Jefferson County, d/b/a Jefferson County Library Cooperative, Inc. is a non-profit 501(c) (3) organization that links the 40 public libraries throughout Jefferson County. These include 20 municipal libraries, the 19 locations of the Birmingham Public Library System and The Library at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens. The mission of the Public Libraries In Jefferson County is to connect all citizens countywide by providing resources and community-building opportunities that inspire life-long learning. Visit our website @ http://PublicLibrariesInJC.org