Bailey W. Turner was first appointed to the Board of Library Trustees in 1984 by the Judges of the Hamilton County Court of Common Pleas. He served as President of the Board in 2002 and as Vice President in 2001. Mr. Turner served for 22 years, retiring in December 2006. He was named Trustee Emeritus in recognition of his dedication and service.
Mr. Turner, who is retired Manager of Community Initiatives for the Cincinnati/Hamilton County Community Action Agency, is a native of Sadlerville, Tennessee. He was named Alumnus of the Year in 1965 by his alma mater, Tennessee State University, and is a graduate of Pennsylvania State University. He has done post-graduate work at Miami University and the University of Cincinnati, and received a Ph.D. from The Union Institute and University in 1977.
Mr. Turner served as a Trustee of the Literacy Network of Greater Cincinnati from 1994–2000, and helped organize community councils in Mt. Auburn, Walnut Hills, the Heinhold Area, and Winton Hills. He was President of the Avondale Community Council in 1967, is past president of the Ohio Black Political Assembly, was an active member of the Coalition of Concerned Black Citizens, a Republican candidate for Cincinnati City Council in 1984, and Trustee Emeritus of the Board of Trustees for the Union Baptist Church, where he served as Board Chairman from 1987-1999. Mr. Turner has been an Instructor of the Political Development National Black Assembly in Little Rock, Arkansas, and a member of Prince Hall FAM, West End Community Council, Consultant for the Pendleton Heritage Center, and served on the Board of CIC—Village of Lincoln Heights. He also served as the President of the Coalition to Save Hillcrest Cemetery. A veteran of the Korean campaign, serving three and a half years in the United States Air Force, Mr. Turner has also served on the Board of United Way/Community Chest and is the recipient of numerous awards and honors. He has been married for 49 years and has two daughters, two granddaughters, and two grandsons. He resides in Avondale.
