Birmingham Public Library Blog

  The Birmingham Public Library (BPL) is excited to partner with the  TRIO Educational Opportunity Center at UAB (TRIO EOC)  to present the Citywide Resource & Health Fair  on Thursday, October 5. This biannual event is scheduled to take place between 10:00 and 2:00 at downtown’s Central Library . It is free and open to the public! In observation of Health Literacy Month , the Citywide Resource & Health Fair will focus on health resources, health screenings and vaccines, and job opportunities in the healthcare field. A variety of other topics will also be addressed at the fair. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Literacy Month , is “a time to recognize the importance of making health information easy to understand and the health care system easier to navigate.” The Institute for Healthcare Advancement (IHA) encourages the public to “build bridges between our organizations and the people who need health care or services” during the month of Oc

  Sonya “Sam” Mitchell is sharing her passion to all in her recently self-published inspirational coffee table book, Picture the Picture .  Come by the Southside Branch Library at 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 4, to meet Sonya. Sonya is the founder of SOOTSME (Seeking Outstanding Opportunities Toward Success), which assists individuals in career advancement. SOOTSME has now evolved into photography and filmmaking. Sonya has produced several documentary films, some of which have been accepted and premiered during the Sidewalk Film Festival in Birmingham.  During her author talk, Sonya will share how she has been able to weave her love of helping and inspiring others with her artistry in writing, photography, and filmmaking. Sonya kicked off her Picture the Picture book-speaking tour earlier this year (April 1, 2023 ) at the Central Library.   By Gelenda Norman| Southside Branch Library  

Join us for a special Bards & Brews Open Mic. It's our first time at Hi-Wire Brewing and our first time opening with a belly dancing performance! Two Bards & Brews are left this season, so you don't want to miss out on this night of spoken word poetry. Keep reading to learn more about our guest performer Nuriyah and Hi-Wire Brewing.

  The Birmingham Public Library 's Southern History Department is hosting 10 programs throughout the month of October in celebration of Family History Month 2023. Celebrated every October, Family History Month is a great time to learn more about genealogy, your family history, and take advantage of library resources such as BPL's Southern History Department.  Check out a listing of BPL's Family History programs that kick off next week below (Note: All are either at the Central Library, 2100 Park Place in downtown Birmingham, or online via Zoom): Behind the Scenes Tour of the Southern History Department, Tuesday, October 3, 12:00 p.m., Southern History Department, 1st Floor Join the staff of the Southern History Department for a look behind the scenes! Learn about the history of the Research Library, its collection of genealogy materials, maps, and microfilm. See treasures such as Miss Iwate , the Blaeu Atlas, the 1926 Zone map , and much more. Our map conservationist and l

As of Thursday, September 14, Stop, Drop, and Breathe will be held permanently at the Pratt City Branch Library from 10:00 to 10:30 a.m. every 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month. This is a meditation and breathing program designed to give you time in the week to relax. No supplies or registration necessary—just bring yourself and an open mind! We will use guided meditation audio to sit and breathe together. 

  The Birmingham Public Library Presents Casual Consultations,   a free, educational business networking event. Taking place at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, September 15 at the Central Library, Casual Consultations  will provide an opportunity in which entrepreneurs and future entrepreneurs can gain knowledge and information from other business owners and resources right here in Birmingham!  The keynote speaker will be Theo Edwards-Butler; Joell Regal will serve as moderator. Doors are open to all who desire to gain knowledge from industry professionals and expand their interests. Food and drinks will be provided.  Come prepared with your questions, notebook and pen. We look forward to seeing you at this enriching experience!

  From Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service: "Men of Change" Birmingham, Ala. -  The Birmingham Public Library is proud to collaborate with the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute , a Smithsonian Institution affiliate, to host “Men of Change: Power. Triumph. Truth,” beginning this Saturday, September 16, through Saturday, December 2, 2023.   The exhibition from the Smithsonian presents the narrative of a nation through the profiles of significant African American men who are icons in the country’s historical and cultural landscape. Birmingham will be the final stop on a 10-city national tour. Created by the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service (SITES), “Men of Change” is made possible through the support of Ford Motor Company Fund , the philanthropic arm of Ford.  “Men of Change” highlights revolutionary men—including Muhammad Ali , James Baldwin, Ta-Nehisi Coates , W.E.B. Du Bois and Kendrick Lamar —whose journeys have altered the history