Libraries in Birmingham, Jefferson County Celebrating National Library Week

Kala Davis, left, with Inglenook branch manager Karnecia Williams

Patrons of the Inglenook Branch Library were greeted with cookies and lemonade on April 13 as the 19 locations of the Birmingham Public Library (BPL) system joined the Public Libraries in Jefferson County in celebrating National Library Week.

For Kala Davis, a longtime patron of the library, the Inglenook Branch is a vital part of her neighborhood. “I love it. It’s close to where I live. This library is an important part of our community,” Davis said after chatting with Inglenook branch manager Karnecia Williams.

The annual observance, from Sunday, April 10 through Saturday, April 16, celebrates the dynamic changes happening in today's libraries. This year's National Library Week theme—“Because Transformation is Essential to the Communities we Serve”— mirrors a multi-year public awareness campaign led by the American Library Association.

Libraries in Birmingham and Jefferson County are exchanging library cards for free this week, waiving the usual replacement cost of $3. All previous library cards are still valid at any of the 40 locations in Jefferson County.

This week only, libraries in Birmingham and Jefferson County will also allow patrons to download a $5 coupon to pay off past due fines. See attached coupon link at http://intranet.jclc.org/sharedresources/. The $5 Fine Coupon is also available for printing from the website PublicLibrariesInJC.org or you can pick one up at your local Jefferson County library.

Showcasing how libraries provide more than just books, several libraries in Birmingham and throughout Jefferson County are hosting a variety of programs and afterschool services for patrons this week. Here is just a sampling of some programs taking place in BPL locations this week:

• After School Adventures, Woodlawn Branch Library, Thursday, April 14 at 4:00 p.m. – Alabama 4H Science School offers an afternoon of hands-on-fun with some of Alabama’s most famous reptiles: turtles, snakes, gators and more.
• Beyond the Basics of Genealogy workshop “Digital Divide,” Central Library, 10:00 a.m. In this workshop, you discover digital genealogy resources from the original Southern colonies and search strategies to find untapped information and locate your ancestors. Workshops are free of charge, but advanced registration is requested. Call the Southern History Department of the Central Library at 205-226-3665.
• Free screening of “The Truth" Up & Coming documentary, Central Library, Arrington Auditorium in the Linn-Henley Research Building, April 16 at 2:00 p.m. This documentary by Sonya Mitchell, which debuted in September 2015 at the Sidewalk Film Festival, details how Carla “The Truth” Youngblood moved from corporate America to stand-up comedy.
• From Page to Stage: Pinocchio – A Readers’ Theater Workshop for Children, Central Library, Sunday, April 17, 2:30 p.m. Attend the workshop and receive two tickets to the live show. Page to Stage is made possible in partnership with the Birmingham Children’s Theatre and Junior League of Birmingham. Go to http://www.bplonline.org/calendar/ to see a listing of workshops in library branches across Birmingham.