Organization
The Mission of the Vestavia Hills Public Library
Adopted and Approved by the Board of Trustees, August 2006
It is the mission of The Vestavia Hills Public Library to be a leader in the community’s cultural, intellectual, economic, and environmental stewardship by offering access for all ages to a diverse and relevant collection of materials, provided in an environmentally and architecturally sensitive “green” space. The Library will achieve its mission by being both a provider and a partner in the Vestavia Hills Community:
As a provider, the Library will:
- Circulate collections of current high-demand, high-interest materials in a variety of formats for all ages
- Maintain collections in a variety of formats representing a broad spectrum of knowledge on a variety of subjects
- Offer reference services providing timely and accurate information in a variety of formats with access from diverse sources
- Plan and implement programs and services for all ages that encourage reading, learning, and cultural enrichment
- Create environmental educational opportunities as the first “green” library in the state
As a partner, the Library will:
- Coordinate the development of reference and informational collections, current reading lists, and other materials for the school system of Vestavia Hills
- Facilitate connections with local businesses and the Chamber of Commerce
- Work with other agencies and organizations in providing pertinent community information
- Foster the development of programs and services offered by local groups such as The Vestavia Hills Historical Society, Vestavia Hills Art Association, and other similar groups
- Work with Keep Vestavia Green and other local, state, and national environmental agencies and organizations as a “green” facility
- Always listen and respond to the best of its ability to the library needs of the citizens of Vestavia Hills
About the Library
Early in 1969 a group of dedicated citizens, soon to become the Friends-of-the-Library, surveyed the community and found a strong desire for its citizens to have their own library. The first Library Board was soon formed, with Dr. Leonard Robinson as its chairman; the other members being Dr. Joe Volker, Jack Echols, Buell Warren, and Sara Wuska. In April of 1969 the Library opened on the present site of the Vestavia Hills Civic Center, with slightly more than 7,000 books.
With the continuing support of the Mayor and City Council, much growth has taken place since that time. In 1995 the Library moved to its present location at 1112 Montgomery Highway. The current location is home to over 100,000 items, including books, books on cassette and CD, music CDs, videos and DVDs, and over 150 magazines and newspapers.
As part of the Jefferson County Library system, The Vestavia Hills library
has become a part of every Jefferson County library, linked by library computers.
There are also computers for public use, both for adults and children,
and a wealth of information thus becomes available to all library patrons.
