City’s Library Lauded as Tops for Children

The Birmingham Public Library (BPL) has been recognized by Livability.com as one of the “Top Ten Libraries for Children,” http://livability.com/top-10/top-10-libraries-for-children/birmingham/al. In developing the Top Ten List, Livability looked at 500 libraries to determine those with the best kid appeal, and BPL with numerable kid-centric programs and activities earned a place on the list.

Libraries are often one of the first encounters with life-long learning for children, and a visit to the library is one of the best ways to spark the interest of children in reading. Birmingham Public Library Director Renee Blalock says, “We are extremely pleased with this recognition. In developing youth programs and services, our goal is to create opportunities that appeal to children by stimulating their imaginations and interest in the library and its resources. As one of the ten libraries on this list, this accolade is for our entire BPL team as we provide high quality service to patrons of all ages.”

Youth programs at BPL include weekly story times and 1-2-3- Play With Me programs for the youngest children. The Summer Reading initiatives include at least 350 programs reaching more than 18,500 youth participants. Teenagers have several poetry-related activities from the monthly Teen Poetry Workshops, to the annual Word Up! Poetry Slam which marks its fifth anniversary in April 2012.

In addition, the library has outreach and youth program partnerships with community non-profit organizations including the City of Birmingham Division of Youth Services, Alabama Sports Hall of Fame, and the Birmingham Museum of Art.

Livability.com specializes in providing information and resources by taking an in-depth look at the “livability” of communities through detailed research and interviews with community leaders, businesses, and local residents.

The mission of Birmingham Public Library is to provide the highest quality library service to our citizens for life-long learning, cultural enrichment and enjoyment. This system—with eighteen locations and serving the community for 125 years—is one of the largest library systems in the southeast. For additional information, visit the website at www.bplonline.org or follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/BPL.