BPL To Celebrate 2019 National Library Week April 7-13 with Nearly 30 Programs


The Birmingham Public Library’s 19 locations will host nearly 30 programs as part of the 2019 celebration of National Library Week from Sunday, April 7 through Saturday, April 13. The 2019 theme is “Libraries = Strong Communities.” 

The American Library Association will kick off 2019 National Library Week on Monday, April 8, by releasing the 2019 State of America's Libraries Report.  Other highlights include National Library Workers Day  on Tuesday, April 9,   National Bookmobile Day   on Wednesday, April 10, and  Take Action for Libraries Day on Thursday, April 11, a day to speak up for libraries and share your library story on social media via the hashtag #MyLibraryMyStory. 


Here is a detailed listing of BPL's Library Week programs by participating locations alphabetically: 

All 19 locations

National Library Week Reading Challenge with Beanstack - Theme: Libraries = Strong Communities, April 7-30, 2019-  
Join the Birmingham Public Library in celebration of National Library Week by participating in a reading challenge celebrating diversity through literature. Patrons are encouraged to read at least 2,400 minutes - that's just 10 minutes a day - from April 7 to April 30, 2019 and log the minutes in their Beanstack account. Suggested readings for children, teens and adults will be provided by BPL staff. 

Tot Time with Mrs. Eve: “I’m a Little CowpokeMonday, April. 8, 9:30 and 11:30 a.m. 
Calling all cowhands: mosey on over to the Tot Time corral where we’ll be having a round-up of our favorite western stories. Tot Time is designed for 2 to 4 year olds, with a parent or caregiver.  No groups, please.  24-hour advance registration required.

Terrific Tuesday: Building Bricks - Tuesday, April. 9, 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. 
Can you build a house, school, park or library?  Join us for an afternoon of LEGO building fun as we celebrate National Library Week, Libraries = Strong Communities. 

Time for Tales, Thursday April, 11, 9:30 a.m.  
 An action-packed preschool storytime with stories, songs, and lots of fun for everyone. 

Map Your DNA, Sunday, April 7, 2:30 p.m., Arrington Auditorium
Discover how to trace segments of your DNA to specific ancestors and how to use this information to identify unknown matches. You need only one known match to get started.

The Bases Are Loaded! Databases for Genealogy, Monday, April 8, 2:15 p.m., RLCC
Don't be left sitting in the dugout. Make use of all our resources in your game plan for family history research. Learn how to locate genealogy databases and discover the wealth of genealogical information they have to offer. Let us help you knock one out of the park.

Introduction to Genealogy, April 10, 2019, 3:00 p.m., Southern History Department, first floor Linn-Henley Research Library

Want to learn how to do genealogical research? Come to this introductory class that will help get you started on your genealogical journey. The staff in the Southern History Department covers such topics as vital records, courthouse and church records, and federal Census.

Teens Engineer BHM Robotics Build and Battle Competition Finale, April 7, 2:00-5:00 p.m., Central Library East Grand Reading Room
Teens Engineer BHM Robotics Build & Batttle competition begins Saturday, April 6, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. and concludes with a finale Sunday, April 7. A total of 9 teams (5 students each) will design and building a robot to play against other teams in a game-based engineering challenge. Participation is open to current middle or high school students in grade 7-12. Each member of the winning team will receive a $50 gift card. To register, call 205-226-3655 or email cenyou@bham.lib.al.us. The program is sponsored by the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham.

I love my library because..., Sunday, April 7-Saturday, April 13
There is SO much more to the library than just checking out books. All week, patrons are invited to share with Central Youth and Teen staff “Why I love my library?”

Community Read, Sunday, April 7-Saturday, April 13
All week the central youth department staff will be on the move during library week to read to local organizations. To schedule a  storytime by BPL, call 205-226-3655 or email cenyou@bham.lib.al.us.

Community Art Project: Blank Canvas with Aaliyah, Wednesday, April 10, 3:30 p.m.
Youth and teens are invited to create artwork to be displayed in the youth department. Students' artwork will be displayed throughout the month of April. Prizes will be awarded for creativity. Canvas and art supplies are provided.

Beyond the Bell Afterschool Library Bingo, Friday, April 12, 3:30 p.m.
Join us for Library Bingo in the Youth Department and win some prizes. Light Refreshment Provided.
East Ensley videos – What Our Library Means to Me, Monday, April 7-Saturday, April 12
East Ensley Library will collect patrons’ thoughts on what the library has meant for them and their community. The video will be posted on East Ensley’s Facebook page Saturday, April 12

National Library Week Trivia Quest - students and adults are invited to find the answers to trivia questions using the library collection.  Customers who answer all the questions correctly will be entered to win a prize at the end of the week.

Blind Date with a Book:  Choose a gift wrapped book for a blind date with a good read!

Meet Children's book Author Ms. Avery Hurt, Wednesday April 10, at 3:30 p.m.
Avery Hurt  a children's book author on a variety to topics such as women in politics, bullying, LGBT issues, and civil rights will be appearing at East Lake Library for discussion and Q and A on what it takes to be an author. 

My Library, My Story April 8, April 10, April 12
Each Day Staff and Patrons will share their stories of how the library has impacted/influenced their lives and the lives of those closest to them

National Library Worker’s Day, Tuesday, April 9
Ensley’s Library Worker’s Appreciation Breakfast, 9:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m.

Seeking Positive Change and Support for the Ensley Library (Library Survey) April 8-13
We want to hear from you! Complete a survey and tell us what you want and how we are doing!

Customer Appreciation Day, Wednesday, April 10 – 1:00 p.m.
Inglenook staff will serve cookies and lemonade to patrons.

Librarian Visits Inglenook K8 School, Friday, April 12, 10:00 a.m.
 Inglenook Library staff will deliver a small gift of cookies and book marks in appreciation for the teachers continued support of Inglenook.

Get to Know Your Librarian! Thursday, April 11, 3:30 p.m.
In honor of National Library Week, North Avondale library staff will have a panel of children to interview the librarian. This program is a creative way for children to understand the day in the life of a librarian. The goal is to develop relationship building, create an opportunity for youth to learn and build a strong need for them to use the library.

National Library Trivia Challenge! April 8-12.
Can you guess how many books are in the North Avondale Branch Library?  The library patron who gets the closest answer to the number of books will have his or her name entered in a drawing for a National Library Week surprise!

Celebrate National Library Week at the Southside Branch Library
Replace your library card. Get up to $5 in fines removed. Enter your name in a drawing and win a prize by filling out a Love My Library card.
National Library Week Family Fun Night, Monday, April 8 6:00 p.m.
Join the celebration with your entire family! The Science Lady will show off her cutest, coolest, and creepiest critters for a special night of science and fun. Call 226-4085 to register. 

Book Bingo! Wednesday, April 10 4:00 p.m.
We'll be playing bingo all afternoon! Kids 5th grade and under are invited to join in the fun. Winners receive free books! 

Library Putt Putt, Friday, April 12, 4:00 p.m.
Tee up for a special game of mini-golf presented by the Children's Department! 


Titusville

Share Your Love for Titusville Library, Monday, April 8, all day 
Enjoy free donuts and coffee and share what you love about Titusville Library and some favorite library memories.

"Name That Librarian," Tuesday, April 9, all day
Patrons will try to match different pictures and fun facts with each librarian and learn who is the wackiest of them all. Fun opportunity to get to know your librarians.   

Scavenger Hunt, 3:30 p.m.
After school students will engage in a fun, challenging scavenger hunt where they will learn about fiction, non-fiction, dewy decimals and more.  

"Magazine Strip Art" Adult Crafts, Wednesday, April 10, 10:00 a.m.
Adult patrons will create an art piece made of newspaper and magazine strips by finding words that describe what their library means to them.  

After School Craft, 3:30 p.m.
Students will design book covers out of comic magazine clippings and come up with a funny comic book story about heroic librarians. Best book cover wins a prize. 
West End staff members will visit area schools and give out preliminary Summer Learning materials and Licensed to Read (library card) applications.

Wylam Library staff will visit local businesses (Malinda’s Studio, Burger King and McDonald’s) to share library hours and services via flyers and word of mouth.
Wylam Library patrons will fill out sheets completing the following statement 
I love my library because_________________

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