Birmingham Public Library Blog

Leadership Jefferson County & Metro-Birmingham Chapter NAACP honored Jefferson County’s first responders to the tornadoes that swept through the county on April 27, 2011 with an awards ceremony and celebration at the downtown library. More than fifty people were recognized during the ceremony. The honorees included Jonathan Barron, William Bell, William Blackwell, Eric Bradley, Ivor Brooks, David Carrington, Jimmie Crenshaw, Tree Davidson, Rodney Davis, Terry Davis, Phil Doster, Juandalynn Givan, Ann Haden, Mike Hale, Tracy Hipps, Hezekiah Jackson, IV, Joe Knight, Drew Langloh, Chad Logan, Rusty Lowe, Maye Martin, Fred McCallum, Scott McBrayer Charles McCrary, Arturo Menefee, Johnathan Miller, Curtis Mitchell, Vanable H. Moody II, Terry Oden, Staci Owen, Steve Parsons, Dudley Reynolds, Scott Rich, A. Jackie Robinson, Leisa Roby, A.C. Roper, Thomas Ryan, Katherine Snider, John Stamps, Gary Richardson, Kimberly Rafferty, Roderick Royal, Jack Schaeffer, Shaundra Smith, Sherrel Stewa

On July 13, July 20, and July 27, the Birmingham Public Library (BPL) hosts its ongoing Brown Bag Lunch series. Each of these Wednesdays at noon, in the Arrington Auditorium of the Linn-Henley Research Library, a program is offered for the lunch-time crowd to enjoy. There is no charge, and the library provides beverages. For more information, call 226-3610. July 13. Carl Winters, Kalimba King The kalimba, or African thumb piano, has been featured in unlikely music venues, including the music of Pink Floyd and in the movie soundtrack of ALIENS. The sounds of this ancient instrument are played to perfection by Carl Winters, whose kalimba repertoire includes gospel, jazz, blues, rhythm, and pop music. July 20. Cutting Coupons Workshop Couponing is a great way to cut down on the cost of items you need every day. Learn how to effectively combine weekly sales and coupons to not only get what you need, but also to save for the things you want! You can save at least 50% on your grocery bill. J

The Birmingham Public Library (BPL) hosts another poetry slam on Friday, August 5, at the Central Library. Bards & Brews showcases both veteran slammers and first-timers. Held on the first Friday of each month, slams are emceed by poetry slam events director Brian “Voice Porter” Hawkins. Each contestant contributes $5 to the pot, and winner takes all. Southern Fried Slam rules will be observed. Craft beer will be available for sampling. You must be 18 years or older to be admitted, and 21 years or older to be served. IDs will be checked. Live music at 6:30 p.m. Call time is 7:00 p.m. Check out the Bards & Brews page on Facebook for more information. This program is made possible by grants from the Alabama State Council on the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts . Word up, y’all! Bards & Brews: Birmingham Public Library Poetry Slam Series Central Library , 2100 Park Place 1st Friday of every month 6:30 p.m.-9:00 p.m. Live music and sign-up is at 6:30 Call time is a

The Birmingham Public Library (BPL) 2011 Summer Reading program is in full swing at all 18 BPL locations. Please sign up for the remainder of this summer’s offerings at any branch. BPL’s commitment to outstanding summer reading experiences for children, teens, and adults is reflected in the many and varied offerings for all ages and interests. This summer’s line-up surpasses the highly attended programming offered last year in which more than 6,300 patrons participated, more than 42,700 books were read, and 440 special events were offered with a combined attendance of more than 18,500 children, teens, and adults. Sign up any time at any BPL location to take part in our free and fantastic Summer Reading program. The Birmingham Public Library is proud to offer the following events for the month of July, designed specifically for our adult patrons. Please check with your local BPL branch or at www.bplonline.org for more information. An Afternoon with Carl Winters, the Kalimba King A repe

The Birmingham Public Library (BPL) 2011 Summer Reading program is in full swing at all 18 BPL locations. Please sign up for the remainder of this summer’s offerings at any branch. BPL’s commitment to outstanding summer reading experiences for children, teens, and adults is reflected in the many and varied offerings for all ages and interests. This summer’s line-up surpasses the highly attended programming offered last year in which more than 6,300 patrons participated, more than 42,700 books were read, and 440 special events were offered with a combined attendance of more than 18,500 children, teens, and adults. Sign up any time at any BPL location to take part in our free and fantastic Summer Reading program. The Birmingham Public Library is proud to offer the following events for the month of July, designed specifically for our younger patrons. Please check with your local BPL branch or at www.bplonline.org for more information. Carl Winters, The Kalimba Man Winters performs his re

In case you missed Fox 6's Good Day Alabama this morning, here is the segment where Vincent Solfronk, Head of the Central Library’s Youth Department, discusses the Summer Reading program and the wealth of programs scheduled at all branches for family participation.

On Thursday, June 9, Governor Robert Bentley signed into law Act Number 2011-535 , which will institute very strong measures to curb illegal immigration in the state. It is set to go in effect on September 1, 2011. As reported in the Birmingham News , the law includes the following provisions: • Individuals will be required to show proof of legal residence on the job, at school, and when obtaining state benefits. • Employers will be required to consult the federal E-Verify system to check applicants' legal resident status. • Courts must void contracts involving undocumented immigrants. • Police may arrest anyone on reasonable suspicion they are in the country illegally. • Anyone transporting or providing housing to a known illegal immigrant may be charged with a crime. Supporters of the law characterize it as a means of making more jobs available for legal residents as well as a way to save the state money by limiting illegal residents’ access to public services. Detractors argu

Good Day Alabama 's Jeh Jeh Pruitt will be visiting Birmingham Public Library on Wednesday, June 15, 2011 to discuss BPL's Summer Reading Programs and other upcoming events. Turn your channel to Fox 6 beginning at 6:50 a.m. to see the first BPL segment.

The Alabama Symphony Orchestra trio performance scheduled for Tuesday, June 14, 2011, at the Birmingham Public Library (BPL) West End Branch Library has been canceled. Please check the events calendar at www.bplonline.org for many other events to choose from. BPL apologizes for any inconvenience this cancellation may cause.

Seven library town meetings will give you and the citizens of your community a chance to tell Alabama Public Library Service (APLS) what you think about public library services in Alabama, what you value in our libraries, and what services you think our libraries should provide. Your voice will be heard by those who will write the next five-year plan for library development in Alabama. So please make plans to attend the town meeting most convenient for you. The meetings will be facilitated by Dr. Elizabeth Aversa, Director of the University of Alabama School of Library and Information Studies , and by Dr. Jennifer Campbell-Meier, Dr. Aversa’s colleague at the university. The current five-year plan is available on the APLS website at: statelibrary.alabama.gov/Content/LSTAinfo.aspx . The meetings will be held at these locations and times: ENTERPRISE, Enterprise Public Library, (June 9, 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.) MONTGOMERY, Alabama Public Library Service(June 10, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.) BOA

In the Microforms Room of the Birmingham Public Library, our most common reference requests focus upon obituaries. Patrons call, write, or visit from all over the world in order to find copies of their ancestors’ or relatives’ obituaries as part of their genealogical research. Most of these patrons utilize our online Obituary Index to Birmingham Area Newspapers when preparing a visit or when placing a request for a copy of an obituary. Although the strictest definition for an obituary is a short, biographical account of a life as written by a newspaper or magazine upon the event of the subject’s death, the generally recognized definition now includes the paid death notices found within the newspaper. These death notices are usually written by the family of the deceased in cooperation with the funeral home. Over the years, there have been many changes in the development of obituaries in Birmingham area newspapers. Perhaps the most striking change that has occurred within the obituary

The Birmingham Public Library (BPL) hosts another poetry slam on Friday, July 1, at the Central Library. Bards & Brews showcases both veteran slammers and first-timers. Held on the first Friday of each month, slams are emceed by poetry slam events director Brian “Voice Porter” Hawkins. Each contestant contributes $5 to the pot, and winner takes all. Southern Fried Slam rules will be observed. Craft beer will be available for sampling. You must be 18 years or older to be admitted, and 21 years or older to be served. IDs will be checked. Live music at 6:30 p.m. Call time is 7:00 p.m. Check out the Bards & Brews page on Facebook for more information. This program is made possible by grants from the Alabama State Council on the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts . Word up, y’all! Bards & Brews: Birmingham Public Library Poetry Slam Series Central Library , 2100 Park Place 1st Friday of every month 6:30 p.m.-9:00 p.m. Live music and sign-up is at 6:30 Call time is at

This month, the Business, Science, and Technology department is featuring a display of summer cooking and preserving. We have books on grilling to canning fruits and vegetables. Enjoy the lazy days of summer outdoors with the perfect meal! Stop by Business, Science, and Technology department today on the third floor of the Central branch of the Birmingham Public Library or call us at 205-226-3690.

Summer has arrived, and many of you are planning a road trip and vacation this June. The Birmingham Public Library is ready to assist you with our display of books and DVDs located in the Social Sciences department. We have an extensive travel guide section that will give you the in and outs of the best places to see, eat, and stay. Whether you are making your next getaway to Australia, New York City, China or Alabama, we have a book for you! We have even created a Vacations and Road Trips subject guide to help you get ready for your trip. Maybe you do not have a specific destination in mind, but you know that you want to take a cruise. What are your options for destinations? You can find out this and more by using Vacation and Road Trips subject guide. A cruise is not for you? Our subject guide contains other speciality vacations including Walt Disney World, national parks, honeymoon destinations, and road trips. Tight on money? Check out our new book, 100 Best Affordable Vacations

We still have tons of books and you still have plenty of time to buy them. In fact, there's a very high chance we'll be here Sunday afternoon, so come on down. 90% of all items are $2 or less. The Book Sale is happening at the Central Library (2100 Park Place- 35205). We look forward to seeing you!

Liang, America's most famous Chinese acrobat, will perform her amazing one-woman show at three Birmingham Public Library branches. She will be joined by MC/comedian Bill Patti. Experience the acrobatics, dance, and music of China with a touch of comedy. Schedule Tuesday, June 7 Central Library, Atrium 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 8 West End Branch Library 1:00 p.m. North Birmingham Branch Library 4:00 p.m. To learn more about the duo Liang and Bill, visit their website at http://www.acrobatshow.com/index.html .