Birmingham Public Library Blog

  What: BPL Loud at the Library Presents International Jazz Day Concert Who: Tully Kay, Saxophonist When: Thursday, April 30, 2026 | 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Where: Henley Park, 716 Richard Arrington Jr Blvd N, Birmingham AL 35203 Cost: Free and open to the public Weather Plan: Moves indoors to BPL East Building (1st floor stage) What to Bring: Lawn chair or blanket BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The Birmingham Public Library (BPL) invites the community to celebrate International Jazz Day with a free outdoor concert as part of its popular Loud at the Library series. The concert will feature Birmingham-based saxophonist Tully Kay on Thursday, April 30, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Henley Park, 716 Richard Arrington Blvd., located across from BPL’s downtown Central Location between the BPL Research Library and Jefferson County Courthouse. Guests are encouraged to bring a chair, relax, and enjoy an afternoon of smooth jazz in the heart of downtown Birmingham. In the event of i...

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Birmingham Public Library (BPL) has announced the sponsors for its 5th annual A Novel Tasting , a signature fundraising event set for April 10 that supports library programs serving residents of all ages across Birmingham. Leading the 2026 sponsorship roster is presenting sponsor The Friends Foundation of the Birmingham Public Library . Pulitzer-level sponsors are NaphCare, William Blackstock, and CEAF (Cultural and Educational Advancement Foundation Inc.) Additional sponsors are Shannon Waltchack, Epice, Magic City Media, Susan Markem and Samuel Rumore. BPL officials expressed appreciation for the sponsors’ investment in literacy, lifelong learning and cultural enrichment at BPL, noting that their support plays a vital role in expanding access to library resources and services across all BPL locations. A Novel Tasting will take place Friday, April 10, 2026, at BPL’s Central Location, 2100 Park Place downtown. The event runs from 6 to 8:30 p.m., with a VIP re...

Bards & Brews Open Mic Date: Thursday, April 2, 2026 Time: 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. (Doors open at 6 p.m.) Featured Poet: Thed Weller Host: Jahman Hill Location: The Greenhouse, 602 19th St., Ensley, Birmingham, AL 35218 About Bards & Brews: Bards & Brews is the Birmingham Public Library’s monthly spoken word poetry and craft beer event. The series is sponsored in part by a grant from the Alabama State Council on the Arts, awarded to the Friends Foundation of the Birmingham Public Library. BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Bards & Brews, the Birmingham Public Library’s popular monthly spoken word poetry and craft beer event, returns for a special Open Mic Night on Thursday, April 2, 2026, at The Greenhouse, 602 19th Street in Ensley. The Greenhouse serves as headquarters for Flourish Alabama, a poetry nonprofit co-founded by Bards & Brews veteran Jahman Hill and fellow poet Eric Marable. Doors open at 6 p.m., and the poetry begins at 6:30 p.m. Hill will serve as guest ...

    Spring Break Week Programs & Activities:  March 23–27, 2026 The Birmingham Public Library is hosting exciting free events every day during Spring Break Week. From movie matinees and teen game zones to knitting, poetry, cooking, fitness, and small business workshops, BPL has programs for the entire family, from young kids and teens to adults and seniors. Explore more programs anytime by clicking on our calendar at  www.cobpl.org/calendar Plan Your Spring Break at BPL With dozens of free library events happening across Birmingham, there’s something fun waiting for you every day of Spring Break. 🌸  Monday, March 23 📍  Inglenook Branch Library 🥣  Series & Cereal, 9 a.m.–6 p.m. Kids enjoy movies and cereal snacks in a safe Spring Break space. 📍  Springville Road Regional Library ☕  Coffee, Conversations & Community, 11 a.m.–1 p.m. Decorate papier-mâché eggs while enjoying conversation. 📍  North Avondale Branch Library 📚 ...

Event Details   What:  “Profitable Pro Business Growth” Workshop Series  When:  Debuts Tuesday, March 24, 2026. Every 4th Tuesday, March through October, 5:30 – 7 p.m.  Where:  Birmingham Public Library’s Central Location, 2100 Park Place (in-person)  Cost:  Free and open to the public  Free Monthly Business Growth Workshop Series Launches March 24 at Birmingham Public Library   BIRMINGHAM, Ala.  - Birmingham area entrepreneurs and those desiring to start a business will have a new opportunity to strengthen and grow their companies with a free, in-person workshop series launching March 24 at the Birmingham Public Library’s Central Location, 2100 Park Place downtown.  Beginning this month and continuing every fourth Tuesday through October, business coach Gilberto Herrera will present "Profitable Pro Business Growth," a live small busin...

Fun Things to Do at BPL During Spring Break Week! March 23–27, 2026 Staying close to home during 2026 Spring Break Week (March 23-27)? Birmingham Public Library (BPL) has plenty of fun, free, and family-friendly ways to keep everyone entertained all week long. Even if you don’t feel like leaving the house, you can still enjoy BPL. Here are some fun things to do, all free, available at BPL: Check out books online anytime Browse by your favorite category and explore our collection here: https://jeffa.na.iiivega.com/   Stream movies for FREE with your library card BPL and JCLC card users can enjoy free streaming options through our digital databases: https://www.cobpl.org/virtual/databases/ Check out indoor and outdoor games through our Library of Things.  Did you know you that your JCLC and BPL library card (usable at all Jefferson County libraries including BPL)  can be used to check out lots of non-book items available via our Library of Things ? Among our...

  Free Be Kind Birmingham Pop-Up Stores Provide  Free Clothing/Essentials; No Questions Asked BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — There are no price tags. No checkout lines. No income requirements. It’s a Birmingham nonprofit joining forces with 8 Birmingham Public Library locations across the city to assist neighbors in need. The Birmingham Public Library (BPL), in collaboration with Be Kind Birmingham, will continue hosting Free To Shop Mobile Pop-Up Stores at eight branch locations throughout 2026. The initiative provides free clothing, shoes, toiletries, and household essentials to individuals and families across Birmingham, no paperwork and no questions asked. Ashley Griffice, executive director of Be Kind Birmingham, first collaborated with BPL in early 2022 through the Titusville Community Resource Give-Away program at the Titusville Branch Library. What began as a single-site collaboration has since expanded into a citywide initiative serving eight Birmingham Public Library l...

March is National Reading Month , a nationwide celebration created by the National Education Association in 1998 to inspire a love of reading in people of all ages. The month coincides with the March 2 birthday of beloved children’s author Dr. Seuss (Theodor Geisel). There’s no better place to celebrate than the Birmingham Public Library (BPL)! From a weeklong spotlight on Dr. Seuss, to preschool story times, reading with dogs and hands-on STEM fun, BPL locations across the city are bringing stories to life all month long. 📅 View the full calendar of events at: www.cobpl.org/calendar Check out these story time events happening at BPL (listed alphabetically by participating libraries) 🎩 Avondale Regional Branch Library On the Loose with Dr. Seuss! 📅 Monday – Friday, March 2–6, 2026 | During library hours Join us for a week-long Seuss celebration! Each day features a fun Seussical wardrobe challenge and drop-in activity. Dress up, read something new, and celebrate ima...