Birmingham Public Library Blog

    "The Watts Sisters"  "Bush grads" Birmingham Public Library (BPL) is extremely honored to host  The Ensley Childhood Project  in its First Floor Gallery downtown, 2100 Park Place.  The exhibition will open  on Friday, May 15, and will be accompanied by a reception from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m . in the Fourth Floor Gallery.     The Ensley Childhood Project  is a non-linear timeline of the historic Ensley neighborhood by way of homemade family photos, archived videos, and written narratives. The reception   will honor  the subjects of the featured media as well as  the show’s curator, Timothy Quarshie .     The Ensley Childhood  Project ’s  focus  on vernacular photography and videography reaffirms the importance of stories from underrepresented neighborhoods while also reminding these individuals and those who visit the exhibition that their memories and captured lives are a work of art.     ...

Birmingham Public Library (BPL) is launching a series of spotlights on some of our top online library  databases.  This week's spotlight features Just for Kids , a safe, ad-free platform with homework help, games, and videos from favorites like Sesame Street , Dr. Seuss, Reading Rainbow , and The Electric Company . Designed for Pre-K through elementary learners, Just for Kids offers 5,000+ videos, audio content, and interactive activities focused on early literacy and core subjects like math, science, arts, and history. Content from kid-friendly TV shows such as Arthur , Franklin , and shows by  The Muppets’ founder Jim Henson keeps learning fun, engaging, and age-appropriate, while giving parents peace of mind in a secure, trusted environment. Just for Kids is specifically targeted to young viewers, keeping the content fresh, fun and engaging. With a good variety of subjects, popular categories and top featured producers, Just for Kids has something for every you...

The Stage Is Set for BPL's Bards & Brews Poetry Slam on May 1: 10 Poets. 3 Rounds. One Champion. BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Birmingham Public Library (BPL) invites the community to experience some of the metro area’s top spoken word artists competing for a combined $500 in a Bards & Brews Poetry Slam happening Friday, May 1 at the Central Library downtown. This will be the second slam of the year hosted by Bards & Brews, BPL’s high-energy monthly spoken word poetry series where poets express their voices on stage. Ten poets will go head-to-head in a fast-paced, three-round poetry slam. First place wins a $250 check, second place $150 and third place $100. With audience members serving as judges, every performance counts and getting the crowd on your side matters. Thed Weller will serve as host. Doors open at 6:00 p.m., with live music by saxophonist Saxual Healer beginning at 6:30 p.m., followed by the poetry slam. The competition is limited to the first 10 poets who re...

The Birmingham Public Library (BPL) is excited to announce  Fragments , a solo   exhibition by artist Natalie Harrison, now on view  in  the  the  Central Library ’s  Fourth Floor Gallery .     Fragments   presents  a  selection  of Harrison's most recent paintings. Richly hued and textured, the featured works are inspired by the diversity and often intricate designs of jewelry and fabric. A reception for the artist will take place on Friday, May 15, from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. in the gallery.       Harrison says her attraction to jewelry and fabric stems from their association with femininity. The distinctive texture of her paintings is created by various manipulations of acrylic paint to the extent that it becomes almost three-dimensional in form.        In  Fragments , Harrison's focus was on "recycling the unused fragments of paint from [previous] pieces into new molded forms .  While the molds th...

  Event Details: What:  2026 Summer Reading Kickoff When:  Saturday, May 9, 2026 | 10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Where:  Avondale Park, 4105 5 th  Avenue South, Birmingham, AL Birmingham Public Library Kicks Off 2026 Summer Reading with Free Family Event at Avondale Park BIRMINGHAM, Ala.  — The  Birmingham Public Library  (BPL) invites families from across the city to participate in its 2026 Summer Reading Kickoff on Saturday, May 9, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Avondale Park, adjacent to Avondale Regional Branch Library. The 2026 theme is “Unearth a Story.” Sponsored by the  Friends Foundation of the Birmingham Public Librar y and  The Caring Foundation , the Summer Reading Kickoff will feature family-friendly interactive activities designed to spark excitement about reading for patrons of all ages, from toddlers and children to teens, adults, and seniors. Attendees can enjoy crafts, face painting, a book walk, games, inflatables, a...

  BPL is celebrating 2026 National Library Week April 19-25 BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Birmingham Public Library (BPL) is celebrating National Library Week (April 19–25, 2026) by highlighting a wide range of nontraditional programs and services that go far beyond books. Established in 1958 by the American Library Association, National Library Week recognizes the vital role libraries play in communities nationwide. This year, BPL invites residents to explore how our libraries fulfill our mission to provide the highest quality experience to our community for lifelong learning, cultural enrichment and enjoyment. National Library Week is the perfect time to experience everything BPL has to offer.   During the week of April 20–26, BPL will host a variety of standout programs, including: Free Legal Assistance Ask an Attorney — West End Branch Library (April 20, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.) Volunteer Lawyers Birmingham will provide free civil legal advice in one-on-one sessio...