BPL Summer Reading Kick-Off This Saturday, May 14, At Avondale Park

Get your ticket to "Oceans of Possibilities." Graphic design by Lisa Mitchell. 

The Birmingham Public Library (BPL) invites you to our Summer Reading Kick-Off this Saturday, May 14, at Avondale Park. Join us at this family-friendly event for carnival-themed fun and register for our upcoming summer reading programs. 

Get your ticket to "Oceans of Possibilities" this summer!

• What: Summer Reading Kick-Off 
• When: Saturday, May 14 | From 10:00 a.m.—1:00 p.m.
• Where: Avondale Park | 4101 5th Ave S, Birmingham, AL 35222
• Details: Join the BPL at Avondale Park this Saturday, May 14, from 10:00 a.m.—1:00 p.m. for the 2022 Summer Reading Kick-Off! There will be crafts, face painting, a book walk, snow cones, prizes, and more! The Friends Bookstore will also have a summer book sale going on at the kick-off. All proceeds benefit the BPL. Springville Road Regional Branch Library will open at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday and all other BPL locations that are open on Saturday will open at 2:00 p.m. after the Summer Reading Kick-Off. 

According to the American Library Association, summer reading programs started in the 1890s to encourage young students in urban areas to read and use their libraries, developing their academic skills and preventing summer learning loss.

Many libraries use the theme decided by the Collaborative Summer Library Program for their summer programs. The Summer Reading Program theme for 2022 is Oceans of Possibilities.

Springville Road Regional Branch Library will open at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday and all other BPL locations that are open on Saturday will open at 2:00 p.m. after the Summer Reading Kick-Off. 

Enjoy this insider preview of the BPL's upcoming summer reading programs: 

• McWane Science Center's New Oceanic Adventure—The McWane Science Center is visiting seven BPL locations to share the mysteries of the deep sea. Learn more about waves, currents, ocean creatures, and how you can protect the world's largest and most diverse ecosystem. 
• Pratt City Branch Library on Tuesday, June 14, starting at 10:00 a.m.; Southside Branch Library on Wednesday, June 1, starting at 12:00 p.m.; Central Library on Thursday, June 16, starting at 10:00 a.m.; Five Points West Regional Branch Library on Tuesday, June 21, starting at 10:00 a.m.; Woodlawn Branch Library on Thursday, June 23, starting at 10:00 a.m.; North Birmingham Regional Branch Library on Friday, June 24, starting at 12:00 p.m.; Springville Road Regional Branch Library on Tuesday, June 28, starting at 10:00 a.m. 
• Real Life Heroes: Firemen—Meet the people who keep you safe during fires and medical emergencies and get a good look at their firefighting equipment. 
• West End Branch Library on Tuesday, July 19, starting at 10:00 a.m.
• Family Fun Night: Flip Flops & Frisbees—Bama Air Dogs are live at the Avondale Library! Bring a lawn chair or blanket to sit on and watch the Bama Air Dogs perform amazing tricks and catch frisbees. 
• Avondale Regional Branch Library on Tuesday, June 14, starting at 6:30 p.m.
• Step Class—Rooted in African culture, the art of stepping utilizes claps, stomps, and chants to create rhythms and visual patterns with the body. Learn a brief history of step and basic movements at one of the nine locations offering the program. 
• Titusville Branch Library on Tuesday, June 14, starting at 11:00 a.m.; Central Library on Tuesday, June 14, starting at 1:00 p.m.; East Ensley Branch Library on Thursday, June 16, starting at 11:00 a.m.; Inglenook Branch Library on Tuesday, June 21, starting at 11:00 a.m.; West End Branch Library on Thursday, June 23, starting at 10:00 a.m.; North Avondale Branch Library on Thursday, June 23, starting 1:00 p.m.; Smithfield Branch Library on Tuesday, June 28, starting at 10:00 a.m.; Pratt City Branch Library on Tuesday, June 28, starting at 12:00 p.m.; Powderly Branch Library on Thursday, June 30, starting at 11:00 a.m.
• Slide City—Come "catch a wave" with us at North Birmingham Library as we surf into this fun-filled dance event where you can learn how to electric slide. 
• North Birmingham Regional Branch Library on Wednesdays, June 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29, and July 6, 13, 20, and 27, starting at 12:00 p.m.
• Tour De Route Springville—Inspired by the Tour De France, join the Springville Road Library for a board game competition playing Flamme Rouge. Everyone who participates gets a prize and the winner of the tour will receive a grand prize!
• Springville Road Regional Branch Library on Fridays, July 1, 8, 15, and 29, starting at 2:00 p.m.
• Dynamic Education: Liquid Lab—Join the Science Lady for a cool lab exploring liquids at extremely cold temperatures. Get mesmerized by molecules and dazzled by density with this program offered at nine BPL locations. 
• Southside Branch Library on Thursday, June 2, starting at 10:00 a.m.; North Birmingham Regional Branch Library on Friday, June 3. starting at 10:00 a.m.; Titusville Branch Library on Monday, June 6, starting at 10:00 a.m.; Wylam Branch Library on Wednesday, June 8, starting at 10:00 a.m.; Smithfield Branch Library on Monday, June 13, starting at 10:00 a.m.; Woodlawn Branch Library on Wednesday, June 15, starting at 1:00 p.m.; North Avondale Branch Library on Thursday, June 16, starting at 10:00 a.m.; Springville Road Regional Branch Library on Thursday, June 16, starting at 1:00 p.m.; Powderly Branch Library on Monday, June 20, starting at 10:00 a.m.
• Chair Yoga—Join us for an hour of relaxation and meditation with yoga specialist Ms. Bridgette Wimbleduff. This chair yoga program is perfect for seniors and anyone who is in the beginning stage of their yoga journey. 
• Avondale Regional Branch Library on Tuesday, June 21, starting at 10:30 a.m.; Five Points West Regional Branch Library on Wednesdays, June 8 and July 14, starting at 10:30 a.m.; Inglenook Recreation Center on Wednesday, June 22, starting at 10:30 a.m.; North Birmingham Regional Branch Library on Wednesday, June 29, starting at 10:30 a.m.; Pratt City Branch Library on Tuesday, June 7, starting at 10:30 a.m.; Southside Branch Library on Tuesday, June 14, starting at 10:30 a.m.; West End Branch Library on Wednesday, June 15, starting at 10:30 a.m.; Wylam Branch Library on Tuesday, June 28, starting at 10:30 a.m. 

With over 250 different programs planned across 16 locations, there are programs for genealogy, crafting, jewelry making, gardening, movie screenings, game nights, Alabama 4H, book clubs, storytime, painting, and crocheting—just to name a few!

A special thanks to Birmingham Legion FC and Birmingham Parks and Recreation for making Oceans of Possibilities possible. 

Find these programs and more on our calendar. 

Don't miss out on the Summer Book sale! Graphic design by Lisa Mitchell.

The Friends Bookstore will also have their summer book sale at the Summer Reading Kick-Off as well. Enjoy their classic $12 fill-a-bag or $5 fill-a-bag sale (plus tax) where you fill the bag you purchase with as much merchandise you can fit for that flat price! Proceeds benefit the BPL.

Join us at the Summer Reading Kick-Off this Saturday, May 14, from 10:00 a.m.—1:00 p.m. at Avondale Park to learn more about our summer reading programs and take part of the summer book sale!

Follow the BPL on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn for more summer reading programs (and for the return of the bookmobile).

By Cheyenne Trujillo | Library Assistant Ⅲ, Public Relations