Birmingham Public Library Blog

  A new Boy Scouts Troop debuts today, August 31, at Titusville Library. The Boy Scouts of America have joined the Girls Scouts in an official youth take over at the Titusville Branch Library . Join us this afternoon at 3:30 p.m. as a new boy scouts troop debuts at the Titusville Library, #2 6th Avenue SW.  This new troop comes a few months after a Girl Scouts Troop was established at Titusville Library . Boy Scouts Night Out at Titusville Library will take place today, Wednesday, August 31, from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.  With 2.2 million members between ages of 5 and 21, the Boy Scouts of America is the nation's largest youth organization for character development. Scouting gives parents and their children an opportunity to make memories together, while helping kids develop skills and character traits that will benefit them for the rest of their lives. Whether it’s serving as a den leader, going camping as a family, or celebrating the achievement of earning a new badge,...

This is probably the first book review in the history of book reviews where this has been said: You really should watch the movie first. Well, really, it's not a movie; it's a stand-up special on Netflix called Nanette  by Hannah Gadsby .  And the reason you're being told to watch the stand-up special first is because Gadsby's book Ten Steps to Nanette: A Memoir Situation really builds upon the Nanette  special. I think it lends to her style of storytelling that you have the end product first and then she decides to fill you in on the rest. 

Thanks for joining our last virtual session with Saladin Ahmed of Spider-Man: Miles Morales . Please join us this Friday, September 2, at 4:00 p.m. (CST) for a special live and interactive virtual session with comic book editor Chris Robinson ( Black Panther ) as he brings you through the complete process of developing, producing, and distributing your own comic book! 

Books like these, on COVID-19, pandemics, and vaccinations, can be found at the Birmingham Public Library. Photo by Parker Evans.  It's the close of National Immunization Awareness Month , the third one this pandemic has seen. Immunization is the process by which a person becomes protected against a disease through vaccination.  As of this writing , 90% of the U.S. population over 18 years old received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccination. 77% of that same demographic received a second dose, and only 51% received a booster shot. 

  This Wednesday, August 31, the Birmingham Public Library (BPL) will host the last installment of this month’s Community Connection Series  at downtown's  Central Library .    The event will focus on a topic of paramount importance in today’s world – mental health. Participating organizations slated to participate in Wednesday’s event include NAMI Birmingham , JBS Mental Health Authority , and Capitol Care South . In an effort to increase mental health awareness in the Birmingham community, they will share information about resources and services available to those who suffer from mental illness. Maintaining mental well-being is crucial to functioning in an age of digital and information overload and to dealing with the stress that ensues.  The mere contemplation of the horrifying effects of climate change can cause undue anxiety and worry about our future and that of our children, as well as about the increased endangerment of the world’s fauna and flora...

So, what do you think would be the odds of having twins? They're not terribly uncommon. What if you are deaf and your twins are born deaf? That's less common. What if your family has been deaf for generations, you have a son who is a twin, who is deaf, who would go on to win both America's Next Top Model and Dancing With the Stars , and be a member of the LGBTQ+ community? If you haven't heard of him already, that person is Nyle DiMarco, and he details the story of his life in his memoir, Deaf Utopia .

Reorient yourself with North Birmingham Library. Flyer from North Birmingham Library. There's a lot to stress about in the world right now. At North Birmingham Regional Branch Library , you can gather the tools you need to manage what life throws your way.

  The Jefferson County Library Cooperative (JCLC) is doing its Food for Fines campaign during the month of September.  This annual initiative allows the 40 libraries in the county, including Birmingham Public Library locations, to allow patrons with late fees the opportunity to donate food to help those in need and see up to $10 of their library fines waived.   At each of the 40 libraries across the county, cardholders can donate non-perishable food items, each item taking a dollar off of how much is owed. Getting the most donations has actually become a competition between the libraries.  How does it work?   $1.00 in fines will be waived for each food item donated in September for up to $10.00 per library card holder.    When and where can donations be made?  Donations will be accepted at all Jefferson County public libraries circulation desks during September. What food items can be donated? • Baby food  • Cereals  • Sou...

  August 25, 2022, marks one year since Bards & Brews host Voice Porter died. Thursday, August 25, 2022 marks one year since Birmingham lost Brian "Voice Porter" Hawkins, a poet and community activist who built a loyal following as host and creative director of Bards & Brews , the Birmingham Public Library's popular spoken word poetry/craft beer event. Best known by his stage name Voice Porter, Hawkins was found dead in his Warrior home a year ago. He was just 42.   His death shocked fans across Alabama, with Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin and fellow poets giving heartfelt tributes in statements and on social media about the legacy of Voice Porter .   A year later, Voice Porter's legacy remains a vital part of Bards & Brews, said Poet Jamil.  “Voice Porter was a vital piece to the creative arts community and to the city of Birmingham. Now it’s like a missing piece to the puzzle, but I believe that it’s on the living now or perhaps the youth t...

Meet the IHP and the BPL Archives. Flyer from Catherine Oseas Champion. Have you ever wondered where all this awesome stuff the  Invisible Histories Project  (IHP) collects goes? Birmingham Public Library Department of Archives and Manuscripts is one of their amazing repository partners right here in town! Join IHP and the Birmingham Public Library Archives for an Afternoon at the Archives!

The Birmingham Public Library  (BPL) is excited to continue its  Community Connection Series  this Wednesday, August 24, at the  Central Library  downtown. The focus of this week’s event, which will take place between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., will be housing assistance and programs . The Birmingham Urban League , First Light Shelter , One Roof, and Priority Veteran  are among the local organizations slated to host tables at this Wednesday’s event.  Birmingham Urban League Founded in 1967 as an affiliate of the National Urban League, the Birmingham Urban League is a community-based organization dedicated to empowering communities and changing lives in the areas of education, jobs, housing, and health. The mission of the Urban League movement is to enable underserved residents to secure economic self-reliance, parity, power and civil rights.  First Light Shelter The mission of First Light Shelter is to work with homeless women and their children to creat...

Bards & Brews Slam is back in September! Flyer designed by Cheyenne Trujillo. Bards & Brews Slam is back with its biggest slam yet! 10 poets will have the chance to win cash prizes totaling $1,000.00 and the crowd gets to decide who wins.  Keep reading to learn more about this grand poetic evening at the Central Library. 

  Titusville Library Crochet Instructor Linda McFarland. Are you interested in Crocheting? No matter your skill level, the Titusville Branch Library Crochet Club always has a spot for you!  Every Tuesday at 11:00 a.m., Ms. Linda hosts a crochet class for anyone who likes to crochet, talk or just enjoy a cup of tea. Stop by today at Titusville Library, #2 6th Avenue Southwest.  No experience is necessary and class materials are provided. Why should I join the Titusville Library Crochet Club? Craft activities such as crochet can offer long-term health benefits. Crochet is a good exercise.  Crochet provides a tremendous mental break while socializing with your community members. Crocheting calms, the mind.  Who can join the Library Crochet Club? Anyone is welcome! No experience is necessary and class materials are provided. If you are unsure if you like the setting or the environment, there is no pressure! Feel free to drop in at a session first. You can come an...

In 2017, the Georgetown Law Center on Poverty and Inequality's groundbreaking study Girlhood Interrupted  released revealing data: that adults view black girls as less innocent and in need of less comfort and protection than their white peers, also known as adultification bias.  Tania De'Shawn Russell explores the effects and consequences of adultification bias on black girls in her debut poetry collection be gentle with black girls . 

SCORE returns in-person! Flyer from Jim Murray. After an absence of over two years due to COVID concerns, SCORE classes will be returning in person to the Birmingham Public Library on Tuesday, August 23, 2022. SCORE is a national small business mentoring organization that has been helping entrepreneurs realize their dreams of starting and growing businesses since 1964.  

Titusville Library Branch Manager Reba Williams with patron Wendi Baldwin.   The Birmingham Public Library is more than a place to check out books, DVDs, and music. Our 18 libraries across the City of Birmingham provide free access to Wi-Fi and use of public computers, quality programming such as our nationally recognized monthly Bards & Brews spoken word poetry/craft beer events, book talks and Local Authors Expo , and more.  To showcase lives touched by our libraries, BPL's PR Department is reviving a series of "Why I Love My Library" patron testimonials on people who benefit from our programs and services. Today's spotlight is on Birmingham's Wendi Baldwin, a longtime BPL patron who says Titusville Library's monthly give-away of free food boxes, diapers, and recent back-to-school resource fair has helped her family cope with her job loss related to COVID-19. BPL: Briefly introduce yourself and how long you have been a patron of BPL.  Wendi: I have b...

Everything you need to know in English. Design by Brooke Knighton. Haga clic aquí para el blog en español . Are you looking for a quick way to show others the library? Check out our new booklet, "All About the Library," available in English and Spanish !

Todos que necesita saber en español. Diseñada por Brooke Knighton. Click here for the English blog post .  ¿Está buscando una manera rápida monstrar otras personas la biblioteca? Mira nuestro folleto, "Todos sobre la Biblioteca," disponible en el español y el inglés .

  The Birmingham Public Library (BPL) is excited to continue its Community Connection Series this Wednesday, August 17, at the Central Library d owntown. The focus of this week’s event will be education opportunities and resources for children, teens, and adults. Among the local organizations and universities scheduled to host tables are The Birmingham Promise, Community Care Development Network, Jefferson State University, Lawson State Community College, and UAB’s Educational Opportunity Center.  The Birmingham Promise  allows Birmingham Public School students to gain real-world experience through internships as well as college scholarships.   The Community Care Development Network is a faith-based nonprofit that specializes in helping the whole family heal through programming such as education, mentoring, faith and life services, and community outreach.  UAB's TRIO Educational Opportunity Cente r has been offering resources on education counseling and ...

Calling out all aspiring comic book and podcast series writers! Please join us Friday, August 19, at 4:00 p.m. CST for a special live and interactive session with award-winning writer Saladin Ahmed ( Spider-Man: Miles Morales / Batman Unburied ) as he teaches the fundamentals of writing for Comic Books and Podcasts Series!

From the Library of Congress. Standing in the parking lot of the movie theatre, talking about Nope with a few friends, we were passed by a couple heading to their car.  "Y'all just see Nope ?" he asked.  "Yep." "Well, I thought it was good, but I think Get Out was better," he said as he got in his car.  We laughed about the tone of his remark since it sounded suspiciously like the father in Get Out  saying: "I would have voted for Obama three times."

  What: R. Jordan Davis Presents “The Local Pen: Featuring Amber Underwood, Author of Hupomone ” When:  Noon to 2:00 p.m., Saturday, August 20, 2022  Where: The Central Library, 2100 Park Place, Birmingham, AL 35203  Details: R. Jordan Davis is hosting a conversation with Amber Underwood, author of Hupomone.  Birmingham, Ala. - Birmingham Public Library Board of Trustees Member R. Jordan Davis has a passion for libraries and the joy of reading.  From noon to 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 20 at the Central Library, Jordan is hosting the first of a series of author conversations, “R. Jordan Davis Presents The Local Pen: A Conversation with Amber Underwood, author of Hupomone .  In her debut book, Hupomone , Amber shares her story of God's faithfulness through adversity, hardship, and broken relationships. She shares how dealing with her pain in an unhealthy way almost cost her life. But a failed attempt at suicide put her before a counselor and after th...

The Birmingham CreateHubs Storytelling Conference was a virtual conference that occurred in July 2022, and we are excited to share this exclusive content with our patrons.  The goal of this conference was to bring together non-profit organizations, youth clubs, businesses, families, educators, and more to support the countless number of creative minds that exist without our communities and cultures.

Create Birmingham, CreateHubs & Birmingham Public Library are hosting a Comic Strip Challenge    Birmingham, Ala. – Create Birmingham, in partnership with CreateHubs and the Birmingham Public Library , is excited to launch The Comic Strip Challenge, a monthly comic strip competition and publication, for the residents of Jefferson County, Alabama.  This initiative is meant to encourage creative people of all ages to explore job opportunities and career pathways in creative industries. To better engage with role models in the industry, organizers are delighted to share all submissions with an outstanding group of industry leaders who will serve as judges.  Click here for details on this new Comic Strip Challenge https://createbirmingham.org/community-arts/comic-strip/   “Create Birmingham is thrilled to host this initiative. We are grateful to our partners at CreateHubs and to the Birmingham Public Library for providing an accessible creative space f...