New "Southern Exposure" DVDs donated to all Jefferson County Library Cooperative and Birmingham Public Library locations

Copies of the 2025 "Southern Exposure" DVD series are now available for checkout in all 40 Jefferson County Library Cooperative (JCLC) and Birmingham Public Library (BPL) locations. Standing in front of "Elephant Ear," part of artist Carl Smith's "Nature Speaks" exhibit at Birmingham Public Library are Kelly Marshall Deputy Director of Alabama Rivers Alliance; Cyndi Barnett, head of BPL's Collection Management Department; and Charles Scribner, Executive Director of Black Warrior Riverkeeper. 

2025 Southern Exposure Film DVD cover

Written by Roy L. Williams, Public Relations Specialist -Birmingham Public Library

BIRMINGHAM, Ala.—Alabama Rivers Alliance and Black Warrior Riverkeeper have donated the latest edition of Southern Exposure, an award-winning film series about protecting Alabama’s natural resources, as an option for all 40 Jefferson County Library Cooperative (JCLC) and Birmingham Public Library (BPL) locations. 

Each of JCLC’s 40 locations, including the 17 that are part of BPL, will now have an opportunity to have a DVD copy of the newest (2025) edition of Southern Exposure, a series of documentaries on various Alabama environmental topics by independent filmmakers. Copies of previous Southern Exposure editions are also available at JCLC and BPL locations due to Alabama Rivers Alliance and Black Warrior Riverkeeper’s donations in past years.  

“Public libraries have a unique role in connecting our communities with resources that inform, educate and inspire,” said Janine Langston, president of the JCLC Board of Directors and executive director of BPL. “We are grateful to Alabama Rivers Alliance and Black Warrior Riverkeeper for making these Southern Exposure documentaries available to all 40 of our member libraries. This generous donation gives library users throughout Jefferson County an opportunity to explore Alabama’s remarkable natural resources while learning more about the importance of protecting them for future generations.” 

Created in six weeks each summer, Southern Exposure films celebrate special people and places in Alabama while exploring complex issues and solutions. Made possible through partnerships with environmental and conservation groups across the state, the documentaries give viewers a sense of how much Alabama has to offer and the importance of protecting all of its resources.  

“We are so appreciative of our partners at Black Warrior Riverkeeper for helping ensure that communities throughout the Black Warrior River watershed have access to these important short documentaries on DVD at their local libraries,” said Kelly Marshall, Deputy Director of Alabama Rivers Alliance. “The films highlight the beautiful places, special people, and inspiring stories that make Alabama unique, while exploring the work being done to protect our rivers, streams, land, air and communities. We hope these films help more people connect with the places they call home and inspire them to be part of protecting Alabama’s natural resources.” 

“Black Warrior Riverkeeper is proud to ensure that every public library in the 17-county Black Warrior River watershed receives these excellent Southern Exposure documentaries,” said Charles Scribner, executive director of Black Warrior Riverkeeper. “We are grateful to the Birmingham Public Library and Jefferson County Library Cooperative for their longstanding support of this educational project.”  

To check out any of the Southern Exposure DVDs at BPL or JCLC, click here.  

About the Alabama Rivers Alliance, Black Warrior Riverkeeper and Birmingham Public Library

Alabama Rivers Alliance is a statewide network of groups working to protect and restore all of Alabama’s water resources through building partnerships, empowering citizens, and advocating for sound water policy and its enforcement.   

Black Warrior Riverkeeper’s mission is to protect and restore the Black Warrior River and its tributaries. The nonprofit organization promotes clean water for the sake of public health, recreation, and wildlife habitat throughout the Black Warrior River watershed.   

Birmingham Public Library’s mission is to provide the highest quality library service to our citizens for life-long learning, cultural enrichment, and enjoyment.  

Jefferson County Library Cooperative is a mission-driven, active partnership of libraries leveraging resource sharing, collaboration, innovation, and efficiency to create real impact and deliver best-in-class library service to our communities.