Birmingham Public Library Blog

During World War Ⅱ, 16,000 German prisoners of war called Alabama their temporary home. For many, their stay counted among the best of their wartime experiences, so good in fact that years later some would continue to return for reunions that kept them in touch with Alabamians. However, tensions existed too—some prisoners lived better and enjoyed more privileges than the farmers and townspeople who endured wartime rationing.

West Plains, Missouri, in direct path of last week's solar eclipse, went all-out for the event, hosting a charity concert, hot air balloon glow-up, and fireworks. BPL's Cyndi Barnett saw it in person.  By Cyndi Barnett   Birmingham, Ala. - When the opportunity to view the 100% totality of the solar eclipse was within my grasp, I knew I had to take it.  I drove 6.5 hours and 420 miles, one way, to West Plains, Missouri to meet up with my best friend and her son. The town went all-out  for the eclipse with a charity concert, hot air balloon glow-up, and fireworks.  On eclipse day, many tourists and citizens descended upon the Civic Center for a presentation on the history and science of eclipses from the Missouri State University Department of Physics, Astronomy and Materials Science. They even had telescopes with special filters so we could view the eclipse close-up. With no clouds in the sky, we sat on the lawn eagerly awaiting totality.  As the moon moved further and furt

It's time to explore your dreams. Dreams are a topic that has always fascinated me. The sheer randomness and madness behind what goes on in our minds during heavy sleep can make for a great conversation with any colleague. In fact, I am not afraid to admit that I have a dream diary. It has helped me understand my inner thoughts better and how they could be connected with one another.  Now, imagine if you were having an average or a possibly forgettable dream, not a nightmare or a burst of ecstatic activity. Let’s say that you were walking through a dilapidated neighborhood and there was a mailman crying because he saw a walrus playing soccer with his nieces and nephews. Then, out of the blue, actor  Nicolas Cage shows up and does nothing. He just stands there on the soccer field as if he belongs somewhere else. After a few minutes of awkwardly doing absolutely nothing, he becomes the referee for this soccer match.  This is the premise for the movie  Dream Scenario . Now, I hate to

  In observance of Alcohol Awareness Month , the Birmingham Public Library (BPL) is partnering with Alcohol and Drug Treatment Centers, Inc.  to present Alcohol Free: The Way to Be 2024.  This free, informative event will feature a panel discussion on alcohol abuse and the problems it presents to our community. In addition, representatives from 30 local organizations will be on hand to share information on a variety of topics. Alcohol Free: The Way to Be 2024 will take place on the first floor of the Central Library this Wednesday, April 17, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.  The panel discussion will begin at 12:00 p.m. Wayne Rogers ( Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office ) and Pamela Butler ( Alabama Department of Mental Health ) among others will address the serious matter of alcohol addiction which claims the lives of 90,000 Americans every year.  For the duration of the event, a group of local organizations will be on hand to share information and resources on health services, educationa

The Birmingham Public Library (BPL) is pleased to announce the addition of TonieBoxes to our collection. What Is A Toniebox? The Toniebox is a digital audio player (screen-free) for children. This innovative toy uses audio storytelling to introduce pre-readers and developing readers to the wonders of narrative. The music and stories that come with each Tonie make a great supplement to playtime.

  North Birmingham Regional Library  staff selected their favorite books for the month of April. Today, Wednesday, April 10, is National Library Outreach Day,  a part of  National Library Week (April 7-13) We are celebrating by allowing staff members at North Birmingham Regional Library to select their favorite items from our collection. The April selections are as follows: Copper Sun by Sharon Draper   This 2006 YA novel features an enslaved girl to showcase the horrors of the African slave trade. The book shares the story of two 15-year-old girls, one a slave and the other an indentured servant, who escape their Carolina plantation and try to make their way to Fort Moses Florida, a sanctuary for escaped slaves.   The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck  Published in 1939, this award winning novel features the story of a family looking for work during the dust bowl.  Kafkaesque by Peter Kuper & Franz Kafka   This graphic novel is a collection of 14 Kafka short stories. Each story

  Click on the BPL Databases QR code for information on our online resources to help travelers. More National Library Week information showing how our Birmingham Public Library locations across the city are more than just a place to check out books, DVDs and CDs. Did you know you can start the process of getting a passport to travel this summer from the Birmingham Public Library downtown?  The Birmingham Public Library is pleased to announce that it has recently added the World Trade Press AtoZ Database Collection to BPL's online reference travel offerings . This database, free to our library cardholders, offers a variety of databases so patrons can gain deeper insight into possible destinations.  Click here to see BPL's full online virtual database, beyond just travel resources.   The World Trade Press AtoZ Database Collection includes the following resources:   Global Road Warrior  Contains country guides for each of 175 countries worldwide.  AtoZ Maps Online   The world’s