Birmingham Public Library Blog

Copies of the 2025 "Southern Exposure" DVD series are now available for checkout in all 40 Jefferson County Library Cooperative (JCLC) and Birmingham Public Library (BPL) locations. Standing in front of "Elephant Ear," part of artist Carl Smith's "Nature Speaks" exhibit at Birmingham Public Library are Kelly Marshall Deputy Director of Alabama Rivers Alliance; Cyndi Barnett, head of BPL's Collection Management Department; and Charles Scribner, Executive Director of Black Warrior Riverkeeper.   2025 Southern Exposure Film DVD cover Written by Roy L. Williams, Public Relations Specialist -Birmingham Public Library BIRMINGHAM , Ala.— Alabama Rivers Alliance and Black Warrior Riverkeeper have donated the latest edition of Southern Exposure , an award-winning film series about protecting Alabama’s natural resources, as an option for all 40 Jefferson County Library Cooperative (JCLC) and Birmingham Public Library (BPL) locations.   Each of JCLC’s 40 l...

  Classic Cocktails 2026 is a party with a purpose that helps support the Birmingham Public Library. Special thanks to our sponsors. Sponsor Recognition: Presenting Sponsor: Friends Foundation of the Birmingham Public Library Safety Goal Sponsors: HBCU Cares and CEAF Team Player Sponsor: Bettina Byrd-Giles DJ French Kiss: Sponsored by Magic City Media Tasting: Red Eye Louie’s Blended Spirits Cigar Bus: Sponsored by Canvas on Morris Food & Bar: 636 Catering and Events If you missed out on sponsoring this event, s upport the Friends Foundation of the Birmingham Public Library by clicking here https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/supportbhampubliclibrary Your donation helps 17 locations of The Birmingham Public Library support our community by:  Developing early literacy skills Exploring science, technology, engineering and math through STEM programs Accessing computers, Wi-Fi and technology Participating in fitness and wellness programs Researching family history and ...

  2026 National Friends of the Library Week Spotlight on Friends of BPL Bookstore Written by Roy L. Williams, PR Specialist for Birmingham Public Library Birmingham, Ala. -As 2026 National Friends of Libraries Week draws to a close this Saturday, October 24, here is a spotlight on the Friends of the Birmingham Public Library Bookstore, located on the first floor of the Central Library downtown. Friends of BPL Bookstore is a funding source that help the Friends Foundation of the Birmingham Public Library  support our 17 libraries all year long. The Birmingham Public Library (BPL) is joining libraries across the country in celebrating our Friends Foundation of the Birmingham Public Library   and other volunteers and advocates across the country who help strengthen their local libraries. If you love books and believe in the importance of libraries, join the cause by making a financial donation, shopping at or volunteering at the Friends Bookstore. The Friends Bo...

Written by Roy L. Williams, Public Relations Specialist -Birmingham Public Library Classic Cocktails 2026 is officially sold out! That's great news for Birmingham Public Library...and a testament to the community's enthusiasm for an event that brings together Magic City Classic fans, HBCU supporters, library advocates and friends of BPL. But you don't have to attend Classic Cocktails to support the Birmingham Public Library.  You can help keep these opportunities available to Birmingham by supporting the Friends Foundation of the Birmingham Public Library,  t itle sponsor of Classic Cocktails. ❤️ Your Support Helps BPL Serve Birmingham Birmingham Public Library's 17 locations provide free opportunities for people of all ages to learn, connect and grow, including: Developing early literacy skills Exploring science, technology, engineering and math through STEM programs Accessing computers, Wi-Fi and technology Participating in fitness and ...

"Building Memory" is an art exhibit is a collaboration between Auburn University’s Interior Architecture Program and the Birmingham Public Library’s Department of Archives & Manuscripts.  Written by Catherine Oseas- Department Head of Birmingham Public Library Department of Archives & Manuscripts, posted by Roy L. Williams, PR Specialist for BPL   “Building Memory,” a new art exhibit by architecture students from Auburn University, is now open in the Central Library’s 4th Floor Gallery. The exhibition debuted on Tuesday,  October 20, and will be open during library hours through December 31, 2026. The exhibit is a collaboration between Auburn University’s Interior Architecture Program and the Birmingham Public Library’s Department of Archives & Manuscripts. Every summer since the program’s inception, Auburn University’s Interior Architecture students have ventured into the BPL Archives Department to encounter the past firsthand, engaging with primary res...

Celebrate the Friends Foundation of the Birmingham Public Library Discover What Your Libraries Have to Offer Monday-Saturday, Oct. 19-24, 2026 Written by Roy L. Williams, PR Specialist - Birmingham Public Library Birmingham, Ala. - National Friends of Libraries Week is  a time to celebrate the people who support libraries and the communities they serve. At Birmingham Public Library (BPL), we're celebrating by inviting you to come out in person and discover what's happening at our 17 libraries. During the week of Monday through Saturday, October 19-24, libraries across Birmingham will offer programs and activities for children, teens, adults and families, from crafts and dancing to STEAM, fitness, story time, games, travel and more. Whether you're looking to learn a new skill, meet your neighbors, entertain the kids or simply try something different, there's lots of fun and educational things to do at BPL. If you want to support the Friends Foundation of the B...

  Celebrate Friends Who Help Make BPL Stronger:  National Friends of Libraries Week Oct. 18-24 Written by Roy L. Williams, PR Specialist for Birmingham Public Library Birmingham, Ala. -Before public libraries can provide the books, DVDs, programs and services that transform lives across the USA, it takes the support of people who believe in the importance of libraries and give their time, energy and resources to help them thrive. That’s what the Friends Foundation of the Birmingham Public Library   and other library foundations provide. 2026 National Friends of Libraries Week began on Sunday, October 18 and continues through Saturday, October 24. The Birmingham Public Library (BPL) is joining libraries across the country in celebrating the volunteers, supporters and advocates who help strengthen their local libraries and connect them with the communities they serve. BPL deeply appreciates the Friends Foundation of the Birmingham Public Library for its continued...

   Discover Your Roots: BPL Celebrates Family History Month in October Written by Roy L. Williams, PR Specialist, Birmingham Public Library 2026 National Family History Month celebration continues at the Birmingham Public Library’s Southern History Department with two programs designed to help people research their family tree. Throughout October, programs will cover everything from traditional genealogy research and historic newspapers to DNA testing.  All programs are free, and advance registration is not required. For more information, call the Southern History Department at 205-226-3665. Whether your family-history research begins with a name, an old photograph, a newspaper clipping or a DNA test, the Birmingham Public Library’s Southern History Department offers resources and expertise to help you uncover the stories of those who came before you. Here is a list of Family History Month programs happening over the next two weeks: Wednesday, October 21 | 11 a.m. Central...