Birmingham Public Library Blog

Libraries Heal Too: Fitness, Stress Relief, Food Box Giveaways and Self-Care at BPL As the ongoing federal government shutdown has stretched over a record 40 days before Congress reached an agreement, its ripple effects continue to hit families across the country hard, from furloughed government workers missing paychecks to residents losing access to food stamp benefits. In this time of uncertainty, the Birmingham Public Library (BPL) is stepping up to fill critical gaps, offering programs that support health, wellness, and daily living needs for people across the city. With 17 locations serving neighborhoods throughout Birmingham, BPL is proving that libraries are much more than book lenders. Libraries can heal too, providing lifelines for mind, body, and community through food box giveaways, free health screenings, chair yoga classes and more. Here is a look at how our libraries across Birmingham are putting wellness and helping the community into action: Meeting Basic Needs with Com...

Explore What’s Happening at BPL: November 10–15, 2025 The Birmingham Public Library (BPL) continues to offer engaging programs that go far beyond books. With 18 locations across the city, there’s always something happening to help patrons learn, create, and connect. Each week, BPL hosts activities that reflect our mission to provide the highest quality experiences in lifelong learning, cultural enrichment, and community enjoyment. This week’s Beyond Books spotlight features everything from free health consultations and craft workshops to a nutrition class and a book discussion with acclaimed author Jim Douglass. Here’s your guide to what’s happening Monday through Saturday, November 10–15. 📅 Weekly Highlights | November 10–15 Monday, November 10 🕚 10 a.m.–12 p.m. | Springville Road Regional Library Health Checkpoint Stop by for a free health and Medicare consultation! Termea Pruitt of Primarily You Health and Life Insurance will answer Medicare questions. ...

Uncovering the “Unspeakable”: Jim Douglass on the Assassinations That Changed America What: Author Event with Jim Douglass Date: Saturday, November 15, 2025 Time: 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Location: Arrington Auditorium, 4th Floor, Linn-Henley Research Building, Central Library Details: Copies of Martyrs to the Unspeakable: The Assassinations of JFK, Malcolm, Martin, and RFK will be available for purchase and signing, provided by Burdock Book Collective. The political assassinations in the United States during the 1960s had a profound impact on American society that reverberates to this day .  Much of the disillusionment and distrust that characterizes our current political environment can be traced back to th e murders of John F. Kennedy, Robert Kennedy, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Malcolm X that were committed during that eventful decade.     The details of these atrocities, and their connections to each other, are the topic of the newly published book, Martyrs ...

Toni Toney, On your mark , acrylic on canvas, 2025, 48” x 60”  Please join artist Toni Toney this Friday, November 7, at the Birmingham Public Library (BPL) for the opening of her exhibition Chalk Dreams Outside the Lines . Toney’s show features large-scale paintings depicting boys in quiet moments of reflection, along with smaller works based on children’s crayon drawings. The exhibition will be on view in the First Floor Gallery at the Central Library through January 23.    Toney describes her new exhibition as “a love letter to the kids who dream big; even when the world tries to shrink them.” Inspired by her work with adjudicated youth in Montgomery, Toney says her show " honors imagination, freedom, and the stories we carry from childhood into adulthood."     Toni Toney is a visual artist whose layered portraits and mixed media works explore themes of identity, memory, and transformation. Drawing from personal experience and cultural reflection, her work s...

🌿 Self-Care Mastermind: Community Edition 2025 Session 1: “What’s In My Well? — Create Your Self-Care Kit” 📅 Date: Tuesday, November 4, 2025 🕠 Time: 5:30–6:30 p.m. 📍 Location: 1st Floor, Central Library Instructor: Christina (C.J.) Wade — Licensed Massage Therapist & Certified Health Coach What does self-care mean to you? For most of us, it’s some combination of emotional, physical, and spiritual nourishment that helps us feel healthier, happier, and less stressed. But the way each of us finds that balance is unique . Some recharge through exercise, others through meditation, journaling, reading, or simply quiet moments of reflection. No matter what your practice looks like, consistency is key. One of the best ways to stay committed to your routine is to have your own Self-Care Kit,   a collection of personal tools and resources that you can turn to whenever life gets hectic. At this session, you’ll learn how to assemble your custom kit and discover practical...