By Jakob Gurley
TRUSSVILLE, Ala. — The Trussville community will come together on Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025, to honor the life and legacy of Jason Baker, the longtime director of the Trussville Public Library, who passed away on Oct. 11.
The memorial service will be held at the Trussville Public Library from 1 to 3 p.m., where family, friends, colleagues, and community members will gather to celebrate Baker’s life and his many contributions to the city he loved.
Baker, 52, served the Trussville Public Library for more than 15 years and had been its director since January 2021. He oversaw the library’s major renovation and expansion and was widely respected for his leadership, kindness, and dedication to public service.
In a statement following his passing, the library staff described Baker as “not only an incredible leader at the library, but our friend and mentor.”
“Jason Baker was a great library leader and a great friend, and we will miss him greatly,” said Ann Sargent, administrative assistant at the library. “He had a passion for helping others, and his influence will continue to guide us.”
Former Trussville Mayor Buddy Choat also shared remarks about Baker’s impact on the city. “Jason had done such a fabulous job as our library director,” Choat said. “He truly cared about this community and the people he served.”
Allison Scanlan, Director of the Pinson Public Library, reflected on Baker’s professional legacy. “Jason was a great librarian, a dedicated director, and a friend to all libraries,” Scanlan said. “He was always available to talk about new ideas or troubleshoot issues. I’ll miss our conversations about everything and nothing.”
Born in Montgomery and raised in Dothan, Baker graduated from Auburn University in 1997 with a degree in English and later earned his master’s degree in library and information studies from the University of Alabama. A former Peace Corps volunteer, Baker spent time in the Philippines and Sri Lanka before beginning his career in library science.
In addition to his work in Trussville, Baker served as President of the Jefferson County Library Cooperative in 2024 and 2025 and held leadership roles in the Alabama Library Association and the Public Library Directors Association of Alabama.
The upcoming memorial will serve as a reflection of Baker’s deep commitment to his community and his lifelong belief in the power of libraries to connect and uplift people.
