Birmingham Public Library Blog

Ben Cook, sportscaster, journalist, and author of Good Wood: A Fan's History of Rickwood Field , says it best, “My Dad, who took me to the ball park as a little boy, taught me to love not only the game itself, but he also instilled in me a love and reverence for Rickwood Field and its glorious history.” Join us as Mr. Cook shares his experiences about the ballpark and its history! Wednesday, August 4, noon. Feed your body and mind at BPL's Brown Bag Lunch programs . You bring the lunch and we'll bring the drinks. Wednesdays at noon in the Arrington Auditorium located on the 4th floor of the Linn-Henley Research Library, 2100 Park Place. photo courtesy of Birmingham Public Library Archives Department

BPL @ Night presents the Birmingham Heritage Band tonight at North Birmingham Library. Please join us for cool jazz on a hot night. All ages are welcome. Light refreshments will be served. Where: North Birmingham Regional Library 2501 31st Avenue North Birmingham, AL 35207 When: Tuesday, July 27, 2010 Time: 6:30 p.m. All ages welcome.

Join us as David Brewer, executive director of Friends of Rickwood Field, shares the storied past of America's oldest professional baseball park. Built in 1910, Rickwood Field is the oldest baseball stadium in the country. More than 57 members of the Baseball Hall of Fame have played at the ballpark. Join us to hear all about it! Wednesday, July 28, noon. Feed your body and mind at BPL's Brown Bag Lunch programs . You bring the lunch and we'll bring the drinks. Wednesdays at noon in the Arrington Auditorium located on the 4th floor of the Linn-Henley Research Library, 2100 Park Place.

Hello. My name is Richard and I’m addicted to audio books. I have confessed to this obsession twice before. Read my prior confessions here and here. Fortunately, the library allows me to feed my cravings and still be eco-friendly. Instead of purchasing multiple audio book CDs that I listen to only once, I check them out of the library. Once checked in, someone else can listen to the same disks. Once checked in again, a second someone can listen to the disks. This is reuse at its finest. To further decrease my environmental impact, the library offers audio books in eco-friendly formats such as MP3 CDs and downloadables . Audio book MP3 CDs allow me to reduce the number of CDs required to listen to the book. An entire audio book that may take 12 or more standard CDs can be saved to a single MP3 disk. This translates to an over 90% reduction in these polycarbonate, plastic and aluminum disks that are not biodegradable, are not easily recycled and will release toxic fumes into the air i

The Birmingham Public Library will host the opening night gala for Heads Up Alabama! Psychology Promotes Healthy Living on July 22 in the Central Library Atrium from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Get your ticket now to experience the unveiling of this unique exhibit, meet the artists, and enjoy food, beverages, and entertainment. Tickets ($25 per person) available through http://www.alapsych.org/ Calendar of Events page . Proceeds benefit the Alabama Psychological Association Foundation. After the Gala event on July 22, the exhibit will be on display in the library July 23 - August 10 free of charge. Click here for more about the Heads Up Alabama events. Sponsors and partners include the Birmingham Public Library, KBR, Jefferson County Department of Health, ALL Kids Children’s Health Insurance Program (Alabama Department of Health), BCBS of Alabama, the Daniel Foundation of Alabama, Forstall Art Supply, Two Men and a Truck, and psychologists across the state. Follow progress on the exhibition and o

Hitman With a Heart will set the scene and you will have to solve the mystery. Try some dinner style theater at lunch! Wednesday, July 21, noon. Feed your body and mind at BPL's Brown Bag Lunch programs . You bring the lunch and we'll bring the drinks. Wednesdays at noon in the Arrington Auditorium located on the 4th floor of the Linn-Henley Research Library, 2100 Park Place.

Grace Slaughter, Children's Department Head, shows her young friends how to do the Duck Race during the Big Splash celebratioin at Springville Road Public Library Wednesday morning. More than 115 people attended the event.

Devonteria Salery, 8, shows the grown folks how hop scotch is done during The Big Splash at Woodlawn Public Library .

A teenager's diary helped put a face on the Nazi oppression of Europe and the Final Solution, and now a graphic novel detailing Anne Frank 's birth, life, and death will reach out to new generations learning about one of the most horrific events of the twentieth century. Anne Frank: The Anne Frank House Authorized Graphic Biography was recently published in the Netherlands, and is set for a United States release date later in July. The biography was written by Sid Jacobson and illustrated by Ernie Colon , who also co-created the best-selling graphic novel The 9/11 Report: A Graphic Adaptation , and collaborated on three more graphic novels. Anne Frank died of typhus at age 15 after she was transferred to the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp along with her sister Margot, who died a few days before Anne. Anne's mother, Edith Frank, died of starvation at Auschwitz. Otto Frank survived to share his daughter's diary with the world.

As a way of saying thanks to current members and supporters of arts and culture in the Birmingham region, area organizations have planned a special members-only day of free admission and family-friendly activities. One valid membership card and/or postcard invitation admits two adults and up to four children into absolutely any and every participating venue all day long on Saturday, July 24. With nineteen wonderfully varied groups of performers, museums and historical landmarks participating in Member Day, it’s one of the best ways to experience the incredible talents and unforgettable experiences offered by our region’s arts and cultural organizations—all in one day! Participating Organizations Schedule for Member Day 2010

The Seasoned Readers hit one out of the park as they remind audiences of the fun of baseball lore and legend. Wednesday, July 14, noon. Feed your body and mind at BPL's Brown Bag Lunch programs . You bring the lunch and we'll bring the drinks. Wednesdays at noon in the Arrington Auditorium located on the 4th floor of the Linn-Henley Research Library, 2100 Park Place.

The Birmingham Public Library (BPL) will host baseball historian Allen Barra, the Devyani Dance Company, and the family music character Farmer Jason in its August BPL@Night programming line-up. Barra will discuss his book, Rickwood Field: A Century in America’s Oldest Ballpark , on Tuesday, August 17 at the Central Library. The Devyani Dance Company will perform American Tribal belly dance on Thursday, August 19 at the Central Library, and Farmer Jason will bring his upbeat country sound to the Avondale Library on Tuesday, August 31. All three events begin at 6:30 p.m. and are free and open to the public. BPL@Night is a series of high quality evening performances offered free-of-charge by Birmingham Public Library in an effort to bring enriching cultural programs to downtown Birmingham and the city’s neighborhoods. BPL@Night highlights local and regional performers that reflect the diversity of our community and draw from a wide range of personal experience. Through programs such as t

The Birmingham Public Library is ready to assist you with making your college education more affordable by guiding you to available resources. We have created the Student Financial Aid subject guide, which provides recommendations of financial aid books and websites. Would you prefer a financial aid brochure instead? Come by the Social Sciences Department at the Central branch to pick one up today. It also contains important information about selecting a college and filling out the Free Application for Financial Aid Application (FAFSA). Still have questions or want personalized assistance in locating resources? Call the Social Sciences Department at 205-226-3640 or fill out our Ask a Librarian form.

The Magic City now has its own museum of local history. The Birmingham History Center features objects, photographs, and documents that trace the history of Birmingham and its people from settlement to the present day. Click on the flyer for more details.

On Friday evening, June 25, Birmingham Public Library partnered with The Cotchery Foundation to host a tailgate party at the Central Library for all teens participating in the library’s summer reading program. New York Jets wide receiver Jerricho Cotchery was present to talk with teens, pose for pictures, and sign autographs. His wife, Mercedes, led parents through an interactive workshop. More than 350 teenagers and parents attended the party. BPL came to life with teens playing Wii video games , dancing , getting airbrush tattoos , and participating in many oth er fun activities. Teens also enjoyed lots of tailgate food, including chicken tenders, nachos, hot dogs, and popcorn. Special thanks to summer reading partners O’Charley’s for providing rolls and chicken tenders and to Rally’s for providing hot dogs. On Saturday, June 26, The Cotchery Foundation held its 4th Annual Skills and Drills Clinic at Legion Field for all teenage boys taking part in BPL’s summer reading program. Ap