The Hoover Public Library 1992-1999

When the Hoover Public Library finally opened its doors in February 1992, it was the ultimate culmination of the dream that began nearly ten years before in the home of Paul and Mary Lou Allen. The state of the art facility was greeted with much celebration and fanfare by the community. In addition to being a much larger library, the 45,000 square-foot building contained many new and innovative features that became favorites with patrons and staff alike.

The Youth Department featured a colorful story house where children could go to enjoy their favorite book, and the young adults also had their own, unique area. Comfortable, quiet areas were set aside for both adult business and art & music collections, and there were also two art galleries to display the work of local artists. Outside was a vast plaza that doubled as an amphitheatre for concerts or other summertime events.

Perhaps the most impressive feature of the new library was the 250-seat Library Theatre. The theater can accommodate almost any production, and has made the Library a cultural destination, not only for Hoover, but also for Birmingham and the South. The Library Theatre's premiere season kicked off with a performance by the Alabama Ballet and ended with the Gerhart Chamber Music Festival, an event that would become a regular tradition. Each year, the Library Theatre puts on a full season of music, drama, dance, and other special events. Highlights from years past include performances by the Alabma Ballet and Southern Danceworks; concerts by Stephen Bishop, Cherish the Ladies, and Henri's Notions; and premier performances by playwrights Brad Bailey and Tom Key. In February 1992, the Library began another annual tradition when the first Southern Voices Conference was held. Southern Voices is a three-day conference exploring the characteristics of southern culture as reflected in our contemporary arts. The first year, Rosalynn Carter was presented the Southern Voices Award for Distinguished Achievement. Subsequent recipients of this award were: Shelby Foote, Pat Conroy, Winston Groom, Anne Rivers Siddons, Gene Stallings, and Lee Smith. Other renowned authors who have participated in this event include: Clyde Edgerton, Bailey White, Orson Scott Card, Martin Clark, Connie May Fowler, Leah Rawls Atkins, Lee May, Anne George, Peter Guralnick, Anne Patchett, Clifton Taulbert, Terry Kay, Kaye Gibbons, and Tony Horwitz.

The Southern Voices weekend usually concludes on Sunday with an event showcasing Southern culture. One of the highlights was the 1998 debut of Alabama Troubadours, songwriter Karren Pell's musical roadtrip through Alabama, accompanied by beautiful photographs by Chip Cooper.

During the '90s, the Youth Department continued to draw kids of all ages to the Library with a unique mix of programs. In addition to the annual Summer Library Program and an assortment of storytimes and puppet shows, the Library has continued to bring many popular and well-respected children's and young adult authors to town. Some of the more notable ones include: Lois Lowry, Tomie de Paola, Avi, Paula Danziger, Bill Martin, Jr., and William Sleator.

Other notable milestones and achievements of the Hoover Public Library during this time include:

• In September 1993, the Bluff Park Art Association commissioned a sculpture for the library by Frank Fleming.
• In October 1993, the Library celebrated its 10th anniversary.
• In September 1994, the Library was named the Best Library in Birmingham by Birmingham magazine.
• In 1995, Linda Andrews was named Librarian of the Year by the Alabama Library Association.
• In July 1997, Hoover is ranked among the nation's top four libraries in Library Journal's Library of the Year contest.