mailto:sshafer@courier-journal.com

A book collection at the Louisville Free Public Library focusing on African American life, history, literature, art and culture will honor former Courier-Journal columnist Betty Baye.

Louisville Metro Council member David Tandy is providing $5,000 from his discretionary account to start the fund to buy books that will be housed at the Main Library.

“I am very excited about it,” Baye said of plans for the collection. “They will include some of the books I love.”

Baye left the newspaper earlier this year after a 27-year career as a reporter, assistant city editor, editorial writer and columnist. Baye, 65, said in an interview Monday that her job was eliminated as part of nationwide cutbacks by the Gannett chain, which owns The Courier-Journal.

Tandy said Monday that he intends to “acknowledge the work (Baye) has done in our community in terms of being able to cover the different stories that are out there and providing an alternate perspective on different things that happen, espcially within the African-American community.

“Having a collection of books in the public library recognizing Betty will continue to allow for her voice, and the voices of those that need reporting on, to be heard for years to come,” he said.

The collection “will serve as a vehicle to enrich and enlighten minds,” Tandy said.

Baye said she intends to give the library a list of about 200 books. Library Director Craig Buthod said the library staff will select books from the list to buy and put in stock. They will be shelved at the Main Library under their appropriate classification or section, such as art or history.

But each book will have a label noting that it is part of the Baye collection.

Other members of the 26-member Metro Council will have a chance to add to Tandy’s donation when the full council votes, probably in mid-November, on the appropriation establishing the book fund.

Also, citizens can donate to the Baye collection. Checks can be made out to the Library Foundation, Louisville Free Public Library, 301 York St., Louisville, Ky. 40203, marked for the Betty Baye collection. Contributions also can be dropped off at any library branch.

Reporter Sheldon S. Shafer can be reached at (502) 582-7089.