Birmingham Public Library Friends Bookstore Moving to First Floor of Central Library

Friends Bookstore manager, Thracie Pace

In a move officials say will make it more convenient for patrons, the Birmingham Public Library (BPL)’s Friends Bookstore is relocating from the second floor to the first floor of the Central Library.

The Friends Bookstore will hold a soft opening in its new location near the Richard Arrington Jr. Boulevard entrance on Monday, April 4. An official grand opening and ribbon cutting will take place on Monday, April 11, at 11:00 a.m., said Thracie Pace, Friends Bookstore manager.

“Our patrons are so excited about the move,” Pace said. “This will make it so much more accessible for our visitors.”

Besides carrying new and used books, the bookstore sells coffee and snacks. The bookstore has been in the Central Library for 15 years, and operated by the Friends of the Birmingham Library since August 2011. The bookstore has been closed this week in preparation for the move. The old location on the second floor will be converted for use by the BPL Teen Engineers program operated by the Central Library Youth Department.

The Birmingham Public Library this year received a $50,000 grant from the UAB Benevolent Fund that will help expand the program.