Bessemer Library staff give a welcoming pose (above)
For several months, due to an unfortunate event, the Bessemer Public Library has been on hiatus, but the month of May has found it back in full blast.
After much work and needed attention to the interior of the edifice, Bessemer residents can now return to their usual place of literal community accommodation.
Recently, the Bessemer Library and staff offered a full-fledged open house ceremony where visitors could tour the new additions to the library and get reacquainted with library staff.
“After several months of chaos we’re back open, and we’d like our community members to come on back and feel welcomed,” Bessemer Councilman and Library Board Member Cleo King told us.
The ceremonies consisted of several dishes prepared for library visitors that included sandwiches, fruit, and drinks. Visitors were also given soothing musical entertainment from the saxophone stylings of Kenneth Williams.
Library Accountant Abraham Ward told us, “After all we’ve endured as Library employees during the recent times, it has been worth it, for to see our doors reopened to the public makes this a beautiful day.”
Venedia Wallace, Library Board President and Trustee, also spoke to the audience, stating, “We’re glad for our Library staff and more so our residents who benefit highly from our Library and its staff. Thanks for your patience and continued support which has led us to a day such as today of witnessing our reopening.”
The day was great for all and was also a welcoming sight to many of us to see a community fixture finally reopen its doors to us all.
Library Director Omar Chapman told us:
“Reopening the Bessemer Library is truly a heartfelt moment. The hiatus was difficult because we understand how important the library is to so many residents throughout the Bessemer area, yet we as a staff worked diligently to support the public as best we could by maintaining communication and alternative ways to provide access to materials and services.
“Due to the recent incident, we’ve carefully reviewed our safety procedures and are working alongside local officials and staff to strengthen protocols moving forward; the reopening is a celebration of resilience, perseverance and community pride.
“One of the library’s greatest assets is its continued commitment to serving every member of the community, and we’re focused on the continuum of meeting the evolving needs of all of our patrons.”
We’re glad to see our Bessemer Library reopened, and we encourage others to visit www.bessemerlibrary.com for further information, resources, business hours, and more.
Let’s reactivate our literary hunger by way of our Library servings.