Jack F. Bulow

BULOW, Jack F.
Age 66, of Hoover, AL, died August 28, 2008 after a long battle with cancer. Jack was born on June 7, 1942. He was the son of the late Evelyn Anastasi of Wellsburg, New York. He was a veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard. Jack graduated from Elmira's Southside High School, Elmira, New York in 1960, was awarded an Associate's Degree from Corning Community College, Corning, New York in 1968, a Bachelor of Arts Degree for the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama in 1971, and a Master of Library Science Degree from the University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama in 1973. Jack began his 30 year career with the Birmingham (Alabama) Public Library in 1971 as an Assistant Bookmobile Librarian. From 1973 to 1977 he headed the library's Community Services Department. In 1977 he was appointed Associate Director for Branch Library Service. From 1990 to 1993 he served as Associate Director for Central Library Operations. In 1993, Jack was appointed Library Director and served in that capacity until his retirement in March of 2002. His professional memberships included the American Library Association and the Library Administration and Management Association. He served as President of the Alabama Library Association and he was awarded the state library association's Eminent Librarian Award in 2000 for his exceptional and enduring contributions toward the development of library service within Alabama. The program was cited by President Gerald R. Ford in his People Helping People series. The program was also awarded The George Washington Honor Medal Award by the Valley Forge Freedom's Foundation - Valley Forge, Pennsylvania in 1976 and The John Cotton Dana Award from the American Library Association in 1977. He was also presented with a Forestry Recognition Award by the Alabama Forestry Commission in 1977 for his help in establishing the Library's Operation Greenline Program. The program was sponsored by the Alabama Forestry Commission and the Birmingham Public Library and was responsible for the distribution of over 40,000 tree seedlings to residents of Birmingham and Jefferson County. In 1991 he was elected as a state delegate to the second White House Conference on Library and Information Services. He also served as Regional Vice President for The White House Conference. He was given an Unsung Hero Award by the City of Birmingham Citizen Participation Program in 1998. His civic affiliations included Leadership Birmingham - Class of 1993, Kiwanis Club of Birmingham, Hoover Riverchase Rotary Club, and Sertoma. He also served on the Board of Directors for the Literacy Council of Central Alabama; he served as President of the Board of The Alabama Chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and he also served as Regional Vice-President of The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. He was benefactor of the Friends of the Birmingham Public Library, Patron of the Birmingham Museum of Art, and a member of the Museum's Friends of American Art. He is survived by his wife of 37 years, June. Jack enjoyed reading, traveling, gold, and fishing. The Memorial Service will be held Saturday, August 30, 2008, at 3:00 p.m. at Ridout's Valley Chapel. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. In lieu of flowers to the family, those wishing to make a donation may do so in Jack's name to Birmingham Public Library Foundation, for Book Endowment Fund, 2100 Park Place, Birmingham, AL 35203, or the Birmingham Museum of Art, Friends of American Art, 2000 8th Ave. North, Birmingham, AL 35203, or a charity of your choice. Services are under the direction of Ridout's Valley Chapel (205.879.3401) in Homewood, AL.