Birmingham Public Library Blog

Inside Downtown Birmingham Public Library's Chair Yoga Class: A First-Person Experience   I Came to Take Photos of Chair Yoga. I Joined the Class & Left Feeling Relaxed. By Roy L. Williams, Public Relations Specialist, Birmingham Public Library Birmingham, Ala. - I walked into the Chair Yoga by Coach Tru class in the downtown Birmingham Public Library carrying my camera. An hour later, I walked out carrying something I hadn't expected: a sense of calm. My assignment that afternoon was straightforward: photograph the second week of Birmingham Public Library's new Chair Yoga series,  and gather material for another blog story. Then something unexpected happened. About halfway through the class, I put my camera down. Instead of watching from behind the lens, I pulled up a chair and became one of the students. I'm glad I did. What to expect: One-on-one chair yoga session held July 30 at Central Library What to expect: Chair yoga session for dozen student...

  By Roy L. Williams, Public Relations Specialist, Birmingham Public Library One of the Birmingham Public Library's own is about to achieve one of the highest academic honors possible. Dr. Reba Patton Branch Manager of the Titusville Branch Library, has earned the Doctor of Philosophy degree in Communication and Information Sciences from The University of Alabama. She will be formally conferred her degree during the University’s commencement exercises on Saturday, August 1, at Coleman Coliseum in Tuscaloosa. The completion of this distinguished academic achievement represents years of sustained scholarship, personal sacrifice, perseverance, and faith. Throughout her doctoral studies, Dr. Williams-Patton successfully balanced the extensive demands of advanced research with her professional responsibilities as a full-time manager and adjunct professor, as well as her commitments as a wife and mother. Demonstrating exceptional academic distinction, she completed the rigorous d...

  What: How to Make It Back Home: An Introduction to Self-Defense When: Tuesday, August 4, 2026 @3 – 4 p.m. Where:   Springville Road Regional Branch Library 1224 Springville Road, Birmingham, AL 35215 Details: In this free workshop, instructor Zyon Thomas will teach participants how to be aware of their surroundings and basic self-defense techniques if attacked by someone. For more info, call (205) 226-4083 or drop by Springville Road Regional Library during library hours. Springville Road Regional Library to Host Free Self-Defense Workshop on August 4 BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Knowing how to recognize danger and respond in an emergency can make all the difference. The Birmingham Public Library is inviting the public to attend a free self-defense workshop designed to help participants improve their personal safety and confidence. "How to Make It Back Home: An Introduction to Self-Defense" will take place on Tuesday, August 4, from 3 to 4 p.m. at the Springville Road...

  Meet Jaynea "Coach Tru" Milhouse, Instructor of Chair Yoga at  The Central Library  Birmingham, Ala. - When most people think of yoga, they picture stretching and flexibility. But for Jaynea "Coach Tru" Milhouse, Chair Yoga is about something much deeper. It's about slowing down, reconnecting with yourself and discovering that healing begins with something as simple as taking a breath. Coach Tru's own journey wasn't a straight path. She once planned to become a lawyer before life's unexpected challenges led her toward a career in mental health, mindfulness and yoga. Today, she combines her experience as a licensed mental health therapist, certified Hatha yoga instructor, certified Vipassana meditation teacher and life coach to help others improve their physical, emotional and spiritual well-being. As the downtown Birmingham Public Library launches its free five-week Chair Yoga series this Thursday, July 30, , I had a deep conversation with...

Get Fit at BPL: Our Next Step Is Chair Yoga By Roy L. Williams, Public Relations Specialist, Birmingham Public Library For nearly 11 years, I've had one of the best jobs in Birmingham: taking photographs at dozens of Birmingham Public Library events, interviewing participants and telling stories about the employees who help our libraries transform lives across the city. Over the next few weeks, however, I'm becoming a participant in a new class helping patrons get in shape and relax at the same time. I'll still bring my camera to take photos at the kickoff of the Chair Yoga with Coach Tru series at the downtown Birmingham Public Library at 1:00 p.m. this Thursday, July 30. But beginning the following week, I'll put the camera down, pull up a chair and become one of the students. At 61, I've never taken a yoga class. To be honest, I don't know what to expect. Can someone with tight muscles, sore knees and absolutely no yoga experience discover somethin...

Tracey Williams popular line dance class at Titusville Branch's "Books on the Ground" in February.    Written by Roy L. Williams, Public Relations Specialist - Birmingham Public Library    NBC's Spotlight on Line Dancing Trend? Birmingham Public Library Has Been Line Dancing For Years This morning (July 27),  NBC's TODAY show correspondent Priscilla Thompson reported about the remarkable comeback of line dancing. 🎥 Watch NBC's TODAY story: "Why Line Dancing Has More People Kicking Up Their Heels." Click here: Why Line Dancing Has More People Kicking Up Their Heels Once wildly popular in the 1990s, line dancing is making a huge comeback thanks in large part to Generation Z. According to NBC, young adults are discovering what many longtime dancers have known for years—line dancing is a fun way to exercise, relieve stress, meet new people and simply have a good time. As I watched the segment, I couldn't help but smile. Why? Because at t...