Birmingham Public Library Blog

We hope to see you there! Flyer design by Lisa Mitchell. The Birmingham Public Library (BPL) is excited to announce that Alabama Poet Laureate Ashely Jones is hosting our upcoming Bards & Brews: "Strong Her" on Friday, March 11! Keep reading to find out more about Ashley Jones and Bards & Brews: "Strong Her."

  Birmingham, Ala. -   Don't miss the fun! You are cordially invited to A Novel Tasting , a festive evening on Thursday, April 7, at 6:00 p.m. at the Birmingham Public Library's downtown central location .  This premier event will feature a tasting of wines, craft beers, and locally distilled spirits; live music; catered food; a silent auction; door prizes; cryptic corks; and a VIP reception.  Guest tickets are $75 a person and $140 a couple. Tickets to the VIP reception taking place from 5:00- 6:00 p.m. are $125 a person.  Title sponsor of this event is NUCOR Steel    and presenting sponsor is Alabama Power Company.     Click here to purchase tickets.   All proceeds will go directly to support library programs in all BPL branches. To sponsor this event or to donate silent auction items, please contact catherine.frey@cobpl.org . 

See what we have planned! Graphic design by Cheyenne Trujillo. All Birmingham Public Library (BPL) branches work hard to provide services and programs for the public. We'll be starting a new series of blogs soon that highlight some of the best programs happening across all BPL locations.  In the meantime, enjoy this round-up of youth programs that your children will enjoy, too! 

Learn more with the Birmingham Public Library. Photo by Parker Evans.  In the last year or so, Critical Race Theory (or CRT) has headlined the news and emerged as a subject of political discussion around the country. As of June 15, 2021, mentions of Critical Race Theory on Fox News shot up—1,900 mentions in 3.5 months . This fevered reaction to blatant misuse of the term has spread to Alabama as well. 

Learn about nutrition with Bama Health Foods. Flyer designed by Paeden Mapp. Please join us at the North Birmingham Regional Branch Library for our Black Health and Wellness program presented by Bama Health Foods ! Previously scheduled for Tuesday, February 22, this program is now moved to Tuesday, March 1, at 11:00 a.m.

  What: “Tired of Giving In: Rosa Parks and the Montgomery Bus Boycott” Exhibit Opening Night Reception  When: Friday, March 11, 2022, 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.  Where: Central Library Grand Reading Room, 2100 Park Place, Birmingham, AL, 35203 Details : Officials from the Rosa Parks Museum on the campus of Troy University will host an opening reception in the Central Library’s Grand Reading Room on the first floor in downtown Birmingham. The event will feature a talk about the exhibit from Madeline Burkhardt, Adult Education Coordinator/Curator of the Rosa Parks Museum. The exhibit will be on display during Central Library operating hours from March 7 through April 1, 2022. The Tired of Giving In: Rosa Parks and the Montgomery Bus Boycott exhibit was made possible by a grant from the  Institute of Museum and Library Services .  Following the Rosa Parks opening reception, stay at 7:00 p.m. and join the Birmingham Public Library as the Central Library Hosts a Bards...

Join us for a discussion on the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act. Flyer by Lisa Mitchell.  In January of 2022, the Archives and Manuscripts Department hosted Dr. Teneasha Washington to discuss Black Maternal Health in the Southeast , and specifically in Alabama.  As a follow-up to that program, we are discussing the new bill on the floor of the Alabama State Legislature, HB1—Pregnant Workers Fairness Act.

  Ethel Alexander by Colony Town Mural Display in the Central Library Birmingham, Ala. - A display compiling the history of Colony, a Cullman County town founded by ex-slaves, is available for public view inside the Central Library in downtown Birmingham to celebrate Black History Month.  The murals were created by Ethel Alexander, a member of the Birmingham African American Genealogy Group. Alexander combined her love of genealogy with the display designed to educate the public about her adopted hometown of Colony, located about 45 miles north of Birmingham.  According to Alexander, Colony was founded by ex-slaves freed after the U.S. Civil War ended who were able to carve out a productive an industrious community in Cullman County. Around 1900, the town was excluded from the boundaries of Arkadelphia and the area became known as the Colored Colony community.  In 1981, the area became incorporated as the Town of Colony. Colony was a beautiful small community surrou...

  Celebrate Black History Month with the BPL. Graphic design by Cheyenne Trujillo. The Birmingham Public Library's celebration of  Black History Month   ends next Monday, February 28. Today both North Birmingham Library , 2501 31st Avenue North, and Wylam Library , 4300 7th Avenue Wylam, are hosting two programs focused on the 2022 theme of  "Black Health and Wellness. "  See details below and click on the BPL calendar to see our full listing of  Black History Month programs !

  Hey, y’all! It is February, a glorious and prideful month as we celebrate Black History Month.  It’s JoElisa Bridges of the Central Library again, with another monthly reading list! Most of these books are available for checkout from at  JCLC  member libraries including  BPL : In Birmingham,  our city's role in the Civil Rights Movement played a significant role in creating the modern world we see today. We all know about the stories: * Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.  * Rosa Parks.  * The Birmingham Campaign.  * The 16th Street Baptist Church Bombing and our Four Little Girls tragically killed.  * John Lewis and the Freedom Riders.  * The Birmingham and Montgomery Bus Boycotts.  * The Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC).  * Perhaps one of my past mentors, Colonel Stone Johnson.  And so much more - possibly including our grandparents or parents who participated in civil rights marches in Birmingham durin...

  Paul Boncella, map conservator of the Birmingham Public Library . What : DNA Testing for African Ancestry  When : T uesday, February 22 | From 12:00—1:00 p.m. (Online via Zoom) Workshop Presenter: Paul Boncella, map conservator of the Birmingham Public Library About the program:   DNA ethnicity testing may seem like a simple and efficient way to trace your ethnicity. But do you know the differences between all the testing kits and what they offer? Paul Boncella examines the current state of the science behind ancestry kits, lists the possibilities for African ethnicity testing, and explains what the various products actually deliver. This program is open to all patrons and held virtually. Click here to register online to participate   Birmingham, Alabama- Paul Boncella, map conservator at the Birmingham Public Library since 2012, has a passion for educating library patrons. Over the past few years during BPL’s celebration of Black History Month, he has touched ...

Save the date for Saturday, February 26. Flyer from Gelenda Norman. Following up on our last post on the upcoming Read-In for Justice , we are ready to announce our readers! The theme for this Read-In for Justice is black health and wellness .  Keep reading to find out who our readers are and what they do in the community. 

  Celebrate Black History Month with the BPL. Graphic design by Cheyenne Trujillo. The Birmingham Public Library's celebration of Black History Month  is heading into our 4th week! The theme for 2022 is  "Black Health and Wellness. "  Click on the BPL calendar to see our full listing of  Black History Month programs !

Read a book from one of these authors. Graphic design by Cheyenne Trujillo. The Sun is moving out of Aquarius and into Pisces this Saturday, February 19! Take some time this Pisces season to read a book by one.  Keep reading to learn more about this water sign and the five writers who share it. 

Lamar Advertising billboard promoting Titusville Library's Community Resource Day  being dedicated today, Friday, February 18. It is near St. Paul Lutheran Church, 132 6th Avenue South.   A  new billboard promoting the Titusville Branch Library 's monthly giveaways  of free food boxes, diapers, and other items was unveiled at the site this morning, Friday, February 18. The  unveiling of the Lamar Advertising billboard took place at 10:20 a.m. in the parking lot of St. Paul Lutheran Church, 132 6th Avenue South - a block and a half from Titusville Library. "On behalf of Titusville library, I would like to thank Lamar Advertising for putting up this billboard promoting the Titusville Community Resource Day," said Reba Williams, branch manager at Titusville Library. "Since September, the library has hosted a monthly community resource day consisting of food, diaper giveaways, and other programs to assist the residents and transform this great community's narra...

  This African-American book/CD display is among several items for sale in the BPL Friends Bookstore . This 10-volume American Encyclopedia set is on sale for $20 in the  BPL Friends Bookstore. Celebrate Black History Month by taking advantage of the BPL Friends Bookstore Sale on the first floor of the Central Library , 2100 Park Place, in downtown Birmingham.   Read your way into the vast history of the African American experience and learn about the contributions of a multitude of people who led the way throughout time. We have books that spotlight art, music, performing arts, great writers, history makers and so many more.  Besides a great assortment of African American books from fiction literature to memoirs and spotlights on famous heroes who played a prominent role in Black history, we also have a set of African American Encyclopedias.  This aesthetically pleasing African-American Encyclopedia set has 10 volumes and is available for $20. It has abu...

  BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Birmingham Public Library is excited to announce NUCOR STEEL BIRMINGHAM, INC. as the Title Sponsor ($10,000) of “A Novel Tasting.”  On Thursday, April 7, the Birmingham Public Library will host its premier “A Novel Tasting” fundraising event. This special evening from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. in the Central Library will feature a tasting of wines, craft beers, and locally distilled spirits; catered food; live music; a silent auction; door prizes; “cryptic corks;” and a special VIP reception. "A Novel Tasting" will fund the Library’s programs, including Bards & Brews, the Book Mobile, Literacy Leaders, the Local Authors Expo, and Summer Learning, as well as support all BPL branches. Nucor Steel is the largest recycler and domestic steel producer in North America with the broadest and most diversified offerings in the U.S. market, and is ranked No. 1 in its industry in Fortune Magazine's list of the World's Most Admired Companies.  “Nucor and i...

  Birmingham, Ala. -  The Birmingham Public Library is excited to announce Alabama Power Company as the first Presenting Sponsor ($5,000) of “A Novel Tasting.”  On Thursday, April 7, the Birmingham Public Library will host its premier “A Novel Tasting” fundraising event. This special evening will feature a tasting of wines, craft beers, and locally distilled spirits; catered food; live music; a silent auction; door prizes; “cryptic corks;” and a special VIP reception. “A Novel Tasting” will fund the Library’s programs, including Bards & Brews , Books by Mail, the BPL Book Mobile , Literacy Leaders , the Local Authors Expo , and BPL Summer Learning , as well as support all BPL branches .  “We believe reading is fundamental to the overall educational development of every young person, and we support the work and mission of the Birmingham Public Library to promote and encourage reading for everyone,” said Myla Calhoun, Vice President of Alabama Power’s Birmingha...

  T.K. Thorne, author of "Behind the Magic Curtain" What: Book talk by T.K. Thorne, author of “Behind the Magic Curtain: Secrets, Spies, and Unsung White Allies of Birmingham's Civil Rights Days” When : Saturday, February 12, 2:00—3:00 p.m.  Where: Central Library Arrington Auditorium, 4th Floor, 2100 Park Place, Birmingham, AL 35203 About the event: Join local author T.K. Thorne as she discusses her new book. Behind the Magic Curtain: Secrets, Spies, and Unsung White Allies of Birmingham's Civil Rights Days peels back history's veil to reveal little-known or never-told stories of an intriguing cast of characters. Publisher: NewSouth Books, released June 29, 2021, 368 pages Birmingham, Ala. - While Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth and other prominent blacks are well known for their role in helping the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. during his campaign for civil rights in Birmingham, the author of a new book about little known whites who supported the movement will speak a...

   Several new African-American fiction and nonfiction titles have been published just in time for Black History Month.  The following are just a sample of the new books that have been ordered by the library. Visit your local public library to check out the selection of new books.  Keep in mind that books can be placed on reserve and sent to your library branch of choice.  The descriptions of the titles are from the publishers. Black Cloud Rising by David Wright Falade At the heart of the narrative is Sergeant Richard Etheridge, the son of a slave and her master, raised with some privileges but constantly reminded of his place. Deeply conflicted about his past, Richard is eager to show himself to be a credit to his race. As the African Brigade conducts raids through the areas occupied by the Confederate Partisan Rangers, he and his comrades recognize that they are fighting for more than territory. Wild's mission is to prove that his troops can be trusted as sol...