Becky Nichols from Alabama NewsCenter on Vimeo.

Selma may be known around the world for its role in the civil rights movement and especially the Bloody Sunday March, which garnered national attention for the sleepy Black Belt town. Something else has been vying for attention at 1103 Selma Avenue, something that has to do with civil rights as well as everything else under the sun.

In a pretty brick building surrounded by tall oak trees providing ample shade for passers-by, the Selma-Dallas County Public Library has brought the community together much like those huge events in the ‘60s did. For Becky Nichols, the executive director of the library, her job was never only about books.

“I don’t think we are proponents of the greater good. I think we realize that we are all about the greater good,” Nichols said.

She summed up her mission: “When all of us human beings care about the greater story than our own story, we are on the path to who we are called to be. Perhaps that is when we have our first glimpse of what we are supposed to be doing.”

When Nichols speaks, you quickly realize that she sees the big picture. She is not a librarian; she is a community builder, an idea activator, and a soulful leader.

It was 1976 when 37-year-old Becky Nichols got a job as a children’s librarian at the Selma Public Library. She had been a lover of books her whole life, so the decision was easy to leave teaching and start empowering kids to learn in a different way. In 1989, the library expanded and Nichols became the executive director while holding onto her original love: the Children’s Library. For 39 years, she has selflessly offered the community love and support along with books.

“If we can inject each Selma home with resources and books and eagerness to learn, we can change the curve of education,” she said. “When the kids get library cards, they will read. As a result, we will see a better education system translating into speaking better sentences and getting better grades.”

“When all of us human beings care about the greater story than our own story, we are on the path to who we are called to be.” Becky Nichols, Selma Public Library

Nichols strives to help with the entire living conditions of her community. Over the years, the Selma-Dallas County Public Library programs have included puppet shows, author’s lunches, job training, story time, and a host of classes and workshops on everything from gardening to poetry readings. The computer lab offers those in the community who cannot afford a computer a place to work on social services with a staff that loves to help.

“Our community challenges are like those anywhere else in the country. Many families and their children need special care,” Nichols said. “We address the needs of community. The library is functioning as a mission program to help people make more informed decisions.”

The future looks rosy for Nichols.

“Ten years from now, I want the air conditioner to work, the roof to work, and the grounds to be maintained,” she said. “And for the greater good for Selma, I would love to come down the street and see the beautiful downtown with lights on and people talking to each other. I live for that glimpse that would tell me Selma is moving along the right path.”

Selma may be known for the civil rights movement, with its mission of changing lives and our country for the better.

At 1103 Selma Avenue, that mission continues.

Alabama Bright Lights captures the stories, through words, pictures and video, of some of our state’s brightest lights who are working to make Alabama an even better place to live, work and play. Award-winning photojournalist Karim Shamsi-Basha tells their inspiring stories. Email him comments, as well as suggestions on people to profile, at karimshamsibasha@gmail.com.