Birmingham Public Library Blog

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Working on a Black History Month school project or lesson plan? Birmingham Public Library (BPL) is here to help. BPL offers students, educators and lifelong learners free access to an extensive collection of African American history resources, available both online and at library locations across the city. BPL’s Department of Archives & Manuscripts is home to one of the nation’s most significant public library civil rights collections, including a copy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s historic “ Letter from a Birmingham Jail. ” Since BPL Archives Department was founded in 1976, more than 530 books (including five Pulitzer Prize winners) have been researched using its collections.   In addition to its physical holdings, BPL provides a wide range of digital resources to support Black History Month school projects, academic research and personal exploration. These collections document the vital role African Americans have played in Birmingham, Alabama and...

Birmingham Public Library (BPL)  invites the community to celebrate Black History Month all February long with programs for patrons of all ages across multiple BPL locations. Featured highlights include weekly Black History Month film screenings, a month-long Teen Takeover Thursdays series for Black teens at the North Avondale Branch Library, concerts featuring Halo Wheeler, David Talley, and the Miles College Choir, genealogy programs exploring DNA testing and AI tools, a spotlight on Black comic industry professionals, and  Books on the Ground,  a unique Titusville Branch Library celebration featuring Black veterinarians, live cows, storytelling, and line dancing. SELECTED EVENTS & DATES 🎬 Black History Month Film Screenings Every week in February Free screenings at Smithfield, Southside, West End, and Titusville branch libraries. Dates and times available at  www.cobpl.org/calendar Teen Takeover Thursdays Every Thursday in February at 3 PM at North Avond...

Bards & Brews Open Mic Poetry 📍 East Village Arts 7611 First Ave. North, Birmingham, AL 📅 Friday, February 6, 2026 🕡 6:30 p.m. (Doors open at 6:00 p.m.) 🎟 Free admission | Ages 18+ (21+ to drink) 🎤 Live Music: G.I. Magus 🎙 Host: Emcee Thed Weller Have you ever wanted to perform original poetry before a live audience? Then make plans to join Birmingham Public Library for Bards & Brews Open Mic on Friday, February 6, at East Village Arts in East Lake. Doors open at 6 p.m., and the evening kicks off at 6:30 p.m. with live music from  G.I. Magus ,  whose soulful sound sets the tone for the night. After his performance,  open mic poetry begins to flow. In its 15th year and hosted by emcee Thed Weller, BPL’s popular monthly series provides spoken word poets to share original work in a relaxed, welcoming space. Attendees of the February 6 Bards & Brews Open Mic can enjoy free craft beer samples, provided by Birmingham District Brewing Co. ...

Monday, January 19, 2026, marks Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day , a federal holiday honoring the civil rights leader whose commitment to nonviolence and justice helped transform our nation. Join us at BPL as we honor Dr. King’s legacy through reflection and providing resources to educate our community.  On Saturday, January 17 at 11 AM, the BPL Department of Archives & Manuscripts will present its 23rd Annual “Begin the Day: The Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Lecture” at Avondale Regional Library, 509 40 th  Street South. Author and racial justice educator Melanie S. Morrison will speak on the topic "Becoming Trustworthy White Allies." The lecture is free. In her talk, Morrison will examine the real work of allyship: moving through shame and guilt, beyond segregation to build accountable relationships with people of color.  For more information about the MLK lecture, contact C atherine Oseas of BPL's Department of Archives at (205) 226-3634 or via email at catherine.o...

  Consumer Reports is one of the world's most popular consumer magazines  The Birmingham Public Library (BPL) is proud to announce the addition of the Consumer Reports database, a highly requested resource now available free to BPL patrons. This powerful buying-advice tool helps consumers make informed decisions by offering trusted ratings, reviews, and comparisons for thousands of products. Whether you’re shopping for a major appliance, researching a new car, or comparing electronics, Consumer Reports helps you get the best value for your time and money. What You’ll Find in Consumer Reports Patrons can access: Independent product ratings and reviews Expert buying guides and videos Money-saving tips and financial advice Research-backed recommendations you can trust Subject Areas Include: Appliances Babies & Kids Cars Electronics Health, Fitness & Food Home & Garden Money A Trusted, Independe...

It is time for Birmingham Public Library to look back on our favorite records released this past year. With so many great, original albums to choose from, it was no easy task determining which albums would make the “best of” list this year. Just like reading a great book, listening to a wonderful record can grant us more creativity and a wealth of knowledge about the world around us.    Here are Birmingham Public Library’s favorite albums of 2025: 1.       Let God Sort Em Out by Clipse This is one of the strongest comebacks that I have listened to so far in the 21st century. The hard work put into Clipse’s fourth album after a 15-year hiatus shines. Each track guarantees repetitive listening. In fact, Let God Sort Em Out is Clipse’s strongest record. This duo from Virginia Beach, Virginia , which consists of Pusha T and Malice , still pushed themselves by revisiting and building upon familiar production quality and lyrical themes, especial...