Benjamin Barnes Branch, YMCA, 1954
Young Men's Christian Association (Tuscaloosa, AL)
African-American--History--Tuscaloosa
This photograph is of the Masonic Building, corner of 32nd Avenue and 18th Street in Tuscaloosa. The first floor of the Masonic building was leased for $50 per month from July 1, 1954 to June 30, 1955, for the Benjamin Barnes Branch of the YMCA to serve the blacks of the county.
The Barnes Branch was organized in January 1954, with Mr. Robert L. Glynn as Chairman. Mr. Robert J. Smith was employed as Executive Secretary and began work July 1, 1954. An open house was held in November, 1954.
The branch was named for Benjamin H. Barnes, a teacher in the city school system, an active member of the First African Baptist Church, and a leader of the community.
YMCA
1954
Elizabeth Bradt (Description)
Tuscaloosa Public Library
Photograph
914
Tuscaloosa (AL)
Benjamin Barnes Branch, YMCA, Management Committee, 1954
Young Men's Christian Association (Tuscaloosa, AL)
African-American--History--Tuscaloosa
The need for a branch of the YMCA to serve the black community was expressed in 1953. A membership drive was inaugurated with a “Kick-off” dinner in the auditorium of Industrial High School on January 2, 1953. A goal of 500 members was established by the organizing committee. In October, 1953, a petition was presented to Mr. J. Oviatt Bowers, President of the YMCA, requesting a Branch of the YMCA of Tuscaloosa for the black community.
The Benjamin Barnes Branch to serve the black community in the county was organized in January 1954, with Mr. Robert L. Glynn as Chairman.
The photograph shows members of the Committee of Management:
Left to right, seated: Mrs. A.B. McKenzie, Miss Jessie Freeman, Mrs. B.W. Finch, R.L. Glynn, Miss W.B. Mitchell, Mrs. Eva Hardy. Standing: George Thompson, E. J. Wright, James Collins, Fred Edmonds, Dr. A. F. Saville, Sam Gray, Dr. M.P. Gilmer, Henry B. Jackson, E. A. Lee, Rev. F. H. M. Williams, Rev. C. H. Williams, McDonald Hughes, Dr. J. W. Robinson. Not shown: Mrs. Katherine Bertrand, L. V. Coleman, Rev. C. L. Johnson, Frank Pl Thomas, and Joseph Carpenter.
This photograph was used in an advertisement for membership.
YMCA
The Alabama Citizen
January 23, 1954
Elizabeth Bradt (Description)
Tuscaloosa Public Library
Photograph
913
Tuscaloosa (AL)
Big Al loves the Bookmobile, 2012
Libraries
Bookmobiles
University of Alabama
Big Al, the famous mascot of the University of Alabama had a fun time with the Tuscaloosa Public Library's Bookmobile at a Read Bama Read Event.
Tuscaloosa Public Library
March 10, 2012
Tuscaloosa Public Library
Photograph
2383
Tuscaloosa (AL)
Book Station in Rosedale Courts, 1952
Tuscaloosa Public Library
The first book station within the Tuscaloosa city limits was opened in the community hall of Rosedale Courts. The caption under the photograph states:
New Book Station Opens at Rosedale - Resident of Rosedale Courts were on hand last night at the opening of a new book station in the community hall, the first to be opened within the city limits, Miss Barbara Davis, Tuscaloosa County librarian said. Service will be limited to the 600 persons living in the apartments, and 500 books have been placed on the shelves. Pictured left to right are Miss Vivian Booth, assistant librarian, Lonnie Stone, Bill Stone, and Mrs. Peggy Freeman, librarian.
Tuscaloosa News
Tuscaloosa Public Library
Tuscaloosa News
November 4, 1952
Elizabeth Bradt (Description)
Photograph
Document
2472
Tuscaloosa (AL)
Bookmobile at Bethel School, 1949
Tuscaloosa Public Library
Bookmobiles
A photograph of students at Bethel School enjoying a visit of the Tuscaloosa Public Library Bookmobile.
One out of 33 - The Bookmobile visits 33 schools in the county and 17 adult stations each month. This picture, taken at Bethel School, shows a flock of young students as they rushed to help their teachers select the books that would be kept at their school for a month. The Bookmobile does not furnish textbooks, but contains lots of supplementary material that will assist the students in their courses. Of course, it carries books that are just for pleasure reading, too.
Tuscaloosa News
Tuscaloosa Public Library
Tuscaloosa News
February 20, 1949
Elizabeth Bradt (Description)
Photograph
2471
Tuscaloosa County (AL)
Bookmobile Gets New Look, 1953
Tuscaloosa Public Library
Bookmobiles
Photograph and description of the renovations of the bookmobile. The caption below the photograph states:
Almost like new - The Bookmobile of the Tuscaloosa County Library is being inspected following a recent overhauling and painting job. Left to right are Miss Mary Guy, Bookmobile librarian, Miss Barbara Davis, librarian of County Library, Marshall Walker, member of Board of Education and Dr. Kermit Johnson, superintendent of Tuscaloosa County Schools. New roof, new paint job, and new lights are part of the repairs that were done.
Tuscaloosa News
Tuscaloosa Public Library
Tuscaloosa News
March 8, 1953
Elizabeth Bradt (Description)
Newspaper
2473
Tuscaloosa County (AL)
Books for the Blind and Physically Handicapped at the Tuscaloosa Public Library
Libraries
For many years at the Main Branch of the Tuscaloosa Public Library, Librarian Barbara Jordan was in charge of the Blind and Physically Handicapped Sub-Regional Library. Providing everything from books on tape to Braille Periodicals, the Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped served a very special group of patrons. This article from 1981 gives the full story on Barbara Jordan's contributions to the West Alabama Community.
Tuscaloosa News Archive
September 13, 1981
Tuscaloosa Public Library
Newspaper
2389
Tuscaloosa (AL)
Brown Branch Groundbreaking
Public libraries
Tuscaloosa Public Library
Judge Hardy McCollum and other elected officials break ground on the Bobby Miller Center, 300 Bobby Miller Parkway, that includes the Brown Branch of the Tuscaloosa Public Library.
Tuscaloosa Public Library
Tuscaloosa Public Library
Photograph
2392
Tuscaloosa (AL)
Card File, 1984
Tuscaloosa Public Library
Public libraries
Card catalogs
The photograph provides an aerial view of the card catalog at the Tuscaloosa Public Library. The card catalog included information on all library materials owned by the library including authors, titles, subjects, dates, locations, etc.
Mike McCraken
Tuscaloosa Public Library
Tuscaloosa News
January 22, 1984
Elizabeth Bradt (Description)
Photograph
2459
Tuscaloosa (AL)
Central YMCA Building, 2405 Paul Bryant Drive, 1959
Young Men's Christian Association (Tuscaloosa, AL)
The new building was formally opened and dedicated on Sunday, April 5, 1959.
There were two entrances on 10th Street (now Bryant Drive), one to the adult lobby and one to the teenage lobby. The building included a swimming pool, gymnasium, shower and locker room, club and game rooms, a chapel and residence rooms for 32 men and 16 women.
In addition to sports activities, the Y provided support for many clubs such as the Gra-Y Club for boys in the 4-6 grades led by UA students which include sports and studying the purpose and meaning of the YMCA organization. There were also meetings of the Hi-Y and Tri-Hi-Y, Indian Guides for boys 6-9 years of age and their dads and informal school which provided classes such as Bridge, Teenage Dance Class, Effective Public Speaking and Ceramics.
YMCA
Elizabeth Bradt (Description)
Photograph
909
Tuscaloosa (AL)