Birmingham Public Library Blog

  BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The Birmingham Public Library (BPL) is inviting local writers to apply for participation in the 2026 Local Authors’ Expo, scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 1, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Central Library, 2100 Park Place in downtown Birmingham. The annual event celebrates Birmingham’s literary community by providing local authors an opportunity to showcase their books, connect with readers and network with fellow writers. BPL is accepting applications from local authors in the following categories: • Adult Fiction — 20 available spaces • Youth Authors — 20 available spaces • Adult Nonfiction — 10 available spaces Selected authors will participate in the community-wide event highlighting local literature, storytelling and creativity. A $50 participation fee will apply upon acceptance. The deadline to apply is June 18, 2026. Applications are available online through the 2026 Local Authors’ Expo Application on the BPL website ( Local Authors Expo A...

  What: BPL Southern History Department Talk — "The Booker T. Washington Effect: Audrey's Story" Who: Bettina Byrd-Giles When: Tuesday, June 9, 2026 | 5:30–7 p.m. Where: Birmingham Public Library, Grand Commons (First Floor), 2100 Park Place, Birmingham, AL 35203 Admission: Free and open to the public More information: https://bplolinenews.blogspot.com/2026/06/birmingham-public-library-hosts.html Q&A With Bettina Byrd-Giles About "The Booker T. Washington Effect: Audrey's Story" BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — For nearly two decades, Bettina Byrd-Giles ( Bettina Byrd-Giles | LinkedIn ) has built a career around preserving stories, championing cultural arts and helping communities connect with their history. Through her work at major research universities and cultural institutions, she has become a respected voice in communications, historical preservation and storytelling. Now, Byrd-Giles is turning her attention to a story much closer to home. On Tu...

  Event Details What: Virtual Author Talk with Matt Dinniman Watch Party When: Thursday, June 11 | 5:30–7:30 p.m. Where: Springville Road Regional Branch Library, 1224 Springville Rd., Birmingham, AL 35215  To attend the event at Springville Road Regional Branch Library, register through Eventbrite at https://dccbpl.eventbrite.com . Can't make it to the library? You can still participate online by registering for the virtual event by clicking here https://dccbplvirtual.eventbrite.com . Birmingham, Ala. -   Hold onto your heart-patterned boxers! New York Times bestselling author Matt Dinniman, creator of the wildly popular Dungeon Crawler Carl series, is coming to Birmingham Public Library virtually on Thursday, June 11, and local fans have a chance to experience the event together. Join fellow Dungeon Crawler Carl enthusiasts at the Springville Road Regional Branch Library for an epic watch party featuring Dinniman's virtual author talk. Fans are encour...

PROGRAM AT A GLANCE What: BPL Southern History Department Talk — "The Booker T. Washington Effect: Audrey's Story" Presenter: Bettina Byrd-Giles When : Tuesday, June 9, 2026 | 5:30–7 p.m. Where : Birmingham Public Library, Grand Commons (1st Floor), 2100 Park Place, Birmingham, AL 35203 Background: Presented by Bettina Byrd-Giles, "The Booker T. Washington Effect: Audrey's Story" explores the extraordinary life of Audrey Bacon Byrd, a trailblazing educator whose journey connected the legacy of emancipation, the Jim Crow era and the modern civil rights movement. Born into the legacy of formerly enslaved individuals, Audrey's story spans her childhood in San Antonio, Texas, her transformative years at the historically Black Tuskegee Institute, and her career as an educator whose influence extended across generations. Admission: Free and open to the public. Information: Contact the Birmingham Public Library's Southern History Department at 205-226-366...

Birmingham Children's Theatre practicing for "The Jungle Book" at BPL Downtown    "The Jungle Book" Performance Information What: Birmingham Children's Theatre presents "The Jungle Book" Adapted By: Greg Banks, based on the books by Rudyard Kipling Director: Irealle Sylvas When: Saturdays at 10:30 a.m., June 20 – July 25, 2026 Where: Birmingham Public Library locations below Central Library – June 20 and July 25 Five Points West Regional Library – June 27 Springville Road Regional Library – July 11 Avondale Regional Library – July 18 Admission: Free; however, seating is limited and advance registration is strongly encouraged. Recommended For: All ages Tickets & Information : https://www.bct123.org/jungle-book About the Show: Join Mowgli, Baloo the bear, Bagheera the panther and a host of unforgettable jungle characters in this fast-paced adaptation of Rudyard Kipling's classic tales. Present...

What: BPL’s Bards & Brews Open Mic Tribute to Voice Porter When: Friday, June 5, 2026 | 6:30–8:30 p.m. (doors open for open mic sign up at 6 p.m.) Where: Ferus Artisan Ales’ The Reserve, located above Umami in the Trussville Entertainment District at 215 Bell Way, Suite B, Trussville, AL 35173 About the Event: Birmingham Public Library’s Bards & Brews will host a special open mic honoring the late Brian “Voice Porter” Hawkins and his legacy of creativity, community and artistic expression. Voice Porter hosted Bards & Brews for nearly a decade until his passing in August 2021. Bards & Brews is supported through a grant from the Alabama State Council on the Arts to the Friends Foundation of the Birmingham Public Library. Birmingham, Ala.   -   The legacy of the late Brian “Voice Porter” Hawkins, longtime host of Birmingham Public Library’s popular monthly spoken word poetry and craft beer series Bards & Brews, will be celebrated during a special Bards...

  Bethany Moody in her studio Please join us at the Central Library on Saturday, May 30, at 2 p.m. for an artist’s talk with Bethany Moody. Moody will discuss the guiding concepts and processes behind her exhibition Play Things , presently on view in the Sculpture Gallery.   The talk will take place in the room adjoining the Fourth Floor Gallery at 2:00 p.m. Please register for this free event at Eventbrite . If you haven't yet visited Play Things, May 30 is your last opportunity! The animated yet abstract drawings and soft sculptures in "Play Things" combine toy history, systems-driven design, material culture, and labor rights. In her talk, Moody will trace the artistic practice behind this body of work and offer an in-depth look at her process, from sustainable material sourcing to slow hand-finishing. Shoehorn (close-up), 2024 The textile sculptures featured in Play Things are handcrafted from repurposed cotton bedsheets and hand-knit and crocheted wool, whose ...

  Birmingham, Ala. -  As graduation season arrives, many high school seniors and college graduates are preparing for the next chapter in life: entering the workforce, exploring career options, or preparing for professional exams. To assist jobseekers, this week’s Birmingham Public Library database spotlight features LearningExpress Library Career Preparation, a free online resource designed to help users build workplace skills, prepare for exams, and explore career opportunities. Available remotely with a valid Jefferson County Library Cooperative (JCLC) card, LearningExpress Library offers interactive practice tests, tutorials, and career preparation tools for a wide range of professions and industries. Career Preparation Resources Include: Learn About a Career Job Search and Workplace Skills Resume and interview preparation tools Workplace Success and Time Management Skills Digital Literacy and Personal Finance Skills Users can also ...