Birmingham Public Library Blog

Bards & Brews Open Mic returns to the Central Library for October. This is the second to last Bards & Brews for 2022. Instead of the typical brews, there will be mixed drinks made with Sweet Home Spirits .  Local artist Frazer Steindorff is the opening artist of the night, setting the tone with some acoustic songs. Join us for an October night full of all kinds of spirits!

In remembrance of Henrietta Lacks on the 71st anniversary of her death, the Birmingham Public Library's (BPL) is offering two days of programming dedicated to her life and analyzing the impact her cells had on the world. Keep reading to learn a little bit more about her before the BPL's programs about her story on Monday and Tuesday, October 3 and 4, happening at the Central Library from 6:00—8:00 p.m.

Sean of the South is coming to the Birmingham Public Library (BPL) for An Evening with Sean Dietrich , Thursday October 13, starting at 6:30 p.m.! After receiving life altering news, Sean Dietrich and his wife Jamie make a rigorous biking adventure across The  Great Allegheny Passage and the C&O Canal Towpath . He details this story in his newest book,  You Are My Sunshine .

The Birmingham Public Library (BPL) is excited to partner with Childcare Resources to present the biannual Citywide Resource Fair on Saturday, October 1. This far-reaching event will take place from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at downtown's Central Library . It is free and open to the public. 

Submissions for the Comic Strip Challenge are due next week! This month's prompt is "Scare Us!" In partnership with Create Birmingham and CreateHubs, the Birmingham Public Library is hosting a monthly Comic Strip Challenge with cash prizes awarded for three different age groups.

  We are honored here at the Southside Branch Public Library to have the opportunity to sit down and chat with local author and retired Birmingham Public Library employee Hugh Hardy, Jr.   At 1:00 p.m. on  Wednesday, October 5, you can meet Hardy in person at the Southside Branch Public Library, 1814 11th Avenue South,   or watch live on the Southside Branch Public Library’s Facebook page. From his love and fascination with books, Hugh garnered together his imagination and his thoughts and penned his first novel, “Maysa Brown: Rise to Power” ( 2018). He didn’t stop there. In the summer of 2019, Hugh furthered the journey of Maysa Brown in “Maysa Brown: A World in Turmoil.”  From the urging of readers, he carried Maysa’s journey a little further by creating the end of her journey in “Maysa Brown: A Season of Change.”  Hardy is currently working on a fourth book in his Maysa Brown series,  tentatively entitled, "Maysa Brown: The Return Home." Join Hugh...

October is National Family History Month and Birmingham Public Library’s Southern History Department is here to help you with your genealogy research.  Below is a listing of programs we have scheduled throughout October to help patrons research their family tree and connect with others who share passion about learning about genealogy. Mary Spencer, genealogist * This Saturday, October 1,  at 1:00 p.m. in the BPL Research Library's Arrington Auditorium on the 4th Floor, we welcome professional genealogist Michelle Spencer ( https://romamarygrace.com/ ) to BPL. Michelle is a researcher, speaker, and writer. She will be offering two workshops: "Don't Forget to Misspell! Getting the Most from Online Newspaper Research" and "Sanborn Maps: A Genealogist’s Guide." * We’re excited to offer a new series of workshops called A Few of Our Favorite Things. Taking place on October 5, 19, and 31 at 11:00 a.m., these 3 unique workshops offered by library staff highlight...

While some may detract that we should be gentle with all children, the study Girlhood Interrupted found that adults view black girls as being less innocent and needing less protection than their white peers. This is known as adultification bias. And this is the lens that Tania De'Shawn uses in be gentle with black girls to tell the story of a young black girl named Deja from girlhood to adulthood. 

  The Birmingham Public Library (BPL) continued its Community Connection Series today, Wednesday, September 21, at the Central Library. This week’s event focused on housing assistance, programs, and resources. Representatives from First Light Shelter , the Housing Authority of the Birmingham District , and United Way Priority Veteran were on hand to help BPL patrons find solutions to all their housing concerns. BPL’s Community Connection Series takes place every Wednesday on the first floor of downtown’s Central Library. Each week, the series brings together a small group of organizations to share information about opportunities, resources, and services related to a specific subject. Topics to be addressed in September are listed in the flyer above.  The mission of  First Light Shelter , is to work with homeless women and their children to create hospitality in a safe, nurturing community and to encourage them to maintain dignity, to find hope, to seek opportunity...

Chair yoga is a great way for older adults to get the wonderful health benefits of yoga. It also makes yoga accessible to more people. Staying seated while doing yoga means that even frail seniors or those who are not flexible can safely do the exercises.

Looking for ways to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month ? Join the North Birmingham Regional Branch Library as we celebrate the rich and diverse cultures, histories, and achievements of Hispanic and Latiné Americans whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, Central and South America, and the Caribbean.

The Birmingham Public Library (BPL) and the Friends Foundation of the BPL are excited to announce Classic Cocktails , a kickoff party leading up to this year's Magic City Classic football game. Classic Cocktails will take place on Tuesday, October 25, 2022, from 5:30 to 9:00 p.m. at downtown's Central Library .

Birmingham, Alabama — The Friends Foundation of the Birmingham Public Library has been awarded a competitive mini grant of $2,315 from the Alabama Humanities Alliance . This award will help make possible the be gentle with black girls : Addressing Adultification Bias and Protecting Black Childhood program happening next Thursday, September 22, starting at 6:00 p.m. at the Central Library .

Please join us Thursday, September 15, at 4:00 p.m. (CST) for a special virtual session with the brilliant SON M. as the provide an overview of the video game industry, discuss how to prepare to enter the gaming sector and developing your career, as well as designing and publishing your own video game!

The Birmingham Public Library (BPL) will continue its Community Connection Series this Wednesday, September 14, at the Central Library . This week's event, scheduled to take place from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., will focus on opportunities, resources, and services for older adults (aged 55 and up). Organizations scheduled to host tables include  ArchWell Health , the Area Agency on Aging  (UWAAA), Legal Services Alabama (LSA), and UAB Alzheimer's Disease Center . 

Titusville community members can stop by at the grocery-store-on-wheels for affordable produce and pantry staples. Photo from Reba Williams.  Live HealthSmart Alabama Mobile Market will be serving patrons of the Titusville community on Thursday, September 15, 2022.

Please join us Tuesday, September 13, at 4:00 p.m. (CST) for a special virtual session with visionary storyteller, innovator, entrepreneur, and author Kiara Imani ( Therapy Isn't Just for White People,   LikeU Card Game) as she discusses the fundamentals of writing your fiction or non-fiction book and demystifies the process of getting it published.

The Birmingham Public Library, in remembrance of Henrietta Lacks , is presenting two days of programs celebrating and analyzing the impact she has on our current world.  Henrietta Lacks is known for having her cells cultured by doctors during a biopsy without her consent or knowledge. Following Lack's death in 1951, those cells would become very important to scientific and product testing.

Get ready to ring in the fall season with free computer classes this September at the Central Library!

What: Birmingham Public Library presents Omarion UNBOTHERED: The Power of Choosing Joy When : Friday, September 16, 2022. Doors open at 3:30 p.m.; event starts at 4:30 p.m. Location:   Central Library , 1st Floor Grand Reading Room, 2100 Park Place, Birmingham, AL 35203 Eventbrite link to purchase tickets :   Birmingham Public Library Presents Omarion: Unbothered Tickets, Fri, Sep 16, 2022 at 4:30 PM | Eventbrite Details: Award-winning artist Omarion redefines wellness and reveals how to live unbothered in his debut book, UNBOTHERED: The Power of Choosing Joy . As a Grammy-award nominated singer, songwriter, performer, and actor who rose to popularity in the 2000s R&B band B2K, Omarion has lived under a constant spotlight & has evolved into a mindful, spiritually engaged father and artist. In his memoir, Omarion reveals never before shared stories alongside techniques that keep him grounded through public setbacks & detrimental headlines in his breakthroug...

For anybody who might not know yet, our hours here at the Inglenook Branch Library have changed. We are now open 9:00 a.m.—6:00 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday.  There is a book drop outside the Library for anyone seeking to return items outside of our weekly hours.  We want to update the community on what's available to them at the Inglenook Public Library !

Reba is ready for the Community Resource Diaper Giveaway. Photo from Reba Williams. Titusville Branch Library (at 2 6th Ave SW Birmingham, AL 35211) is starting off September with its monthly celebration of Titusville Branch Resource Days.  On Tuesday, September 6, Titusville Library will host its monthly Titusville Community Senior Resource Day. Lawson State Cosmetology Department has collaborated with Titusville Branch and will provide free makeovers for the first 15 seniors of the Titusville Community Senior Resource Day.

   The Birmingham Public Library (BPL) is excited to announce the September schedule for its Community Connection Series. The series takes place every Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. on the first floor of downtown's Central Library . Please join us this Wednesday, September 7, for the first event in this month's Community Connection Series. Topics to be addressed this month include: * Legal Assistance and Resources (Wednesday, September 7) * Opportunities and Services for older adults (55+) (Wednesday, September 14) * Housing Assistance and Programs (Wednesday, September 21) * Early Intervention & Substance Abuse Recovery (Wednesday, September 28)  Every Wednesday, BPL's Community Connection Series brings together a handful of organizations to share information about opportunities, resources, and services related to a specific subject. The events are free and open to the public. This Wednesday, September 7, attorneys and representatives from the Cumberl...

  Today, Tuesday, September 6, 2022, is  National Read a Book Day , a day that encourages all book lovers to indulge in their favorite hobby and read. Bringing new worlds to life, books enlighten us and transport us on exciting adventures. They can challenge our perspectives on the human experience in ways unmatched by other media.  It is a day book worms can feel free to set aside their iPhones, iPads and other technological distractions and focus their attention on finding a quiet place to escape behind the pages of their favorite book.  If you’re reading a book today, share a photo on social media with the hashtag  #readabookday.  National Read a Book Day is a great time to escape the stresses of everyday life by picking up your favorite novel or checking out a new one at the  Birmingham Public Library ,  JCLC  or your favorite neighborhood library.   Reading improves memory and concentration.  Research has shown that older ...

The ACT test is often required for college admissions and scholarships, yet it is a dreaded and anxiety-filled experience for many high school students. The  Birmingham Public Library  is ready to help with our ACT Prep workshop taking place on Saturday, October 8, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the  Springville Road Regional Branch Library , 1224 Springville Road.

Please join us Wednesday, September 7, at 4:00 p.m. for a special live virtual demonstation and interactive session with polymath music artist and storyteller Quell Chris ( Judas and the Black Messiah , Drac: Son of Dante , "Coldplay" on Lizzo's album About Damn Time ) as he teaches creating music scores for film and comic books!