Smithfield Library to Close for Magic City Classic on October 31

This year marks seventy-four years for the Magic City Classic, an annual rival between Alabama A&M University and Alabama State University, two of Alabama's most prominent historically black universities. The game is played at Legion Field in Birmingham, and some of the festivities held in conjunction with the game include an events parade, gospel concert, pep rally, and the "Battle of the Bands" between the two schools' marching bands.

Located in the center of the classic festivities is the Smithfield Branch Library (formerly the Booker T. Washington Library and the first library for blacks in the state of Alabama), a vital link and iconic landmark located in one of Birmingham’s most historic districts. Because the streets around the library are blocked off for the game, the library will close at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, October 30, and will reopen Monday, November 1. All other Birmingham Public Libraries will be open for regular hours of operation.

It’s time for family, fun, and good food! See you next year!

Yolanda Hardy
Smithfield Branch Library