Birmingham Public Library Blog

On Thursday, June 15, 2023, the Birmingham Public Library (BPL) will host a discussion of Alzheimer's disease in the African American community in a program presented by researchers from the John P. Hussman Center for Human Genomics at the University of Miami's Miller School of Medicine .  Program attendees will be introduced to the DAWN Alzheimer's Research Study, which is an international, multi-site initiative whose goal is to gain a better understanding of Alzheimer's disease so that everyone can benefit from improved treatments.

Summer reading officially starts tomorrow, Thursday, June 1 ! Each week, the Birmingham Public Library (BPL) will highlight the programs happening at all our BPL locations. One of today's highlights is on Woodlawn Branch Library!  Zach Lukemire, the Woodlawn Branch Manager, highlighted a series of creative workshops they are hosting for adults and a live animal presentation with Alabama 4H for the kids. 

  Wylam Library is hosting an American Sign Language class on June 27. Photo credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto Have you ever wanted to learn American sign language ?  Then drop by the Wylam Branch Library, 4300 7th Avenue Wylam , at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, June 27, for "American Sign Language: Learn the Basics."   This free workshop is among around nearly 250 free programs and activities for patrons of all ages taking place during June and July at library locations across the city as part of the 2023 Birmingham Public Library Summer Reading.   If you're a beginner interested in learning to sign, this American Sign Language basics session is for you. It covers the alphabet, signing basic sentences, finger spelling, the days of the week, and more.  Wanna learn yoga? Wylam Branch has something for you as well. Bridgette Wimbleduff will teach Chair Yoga at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, June 6. Join Wylam for an hour of relaxation and meditation with yoga spe...

  BPL's popular Intro to Genealogy workshop is being offered as part of 2023 Summer Reading  Did you make a New Year's Resolution to research your family history this year? The Birmingham Public Library' s Southern History Department has several programs kicking off in June that may be able to boost your ancestry journey.  These free classes are among around 250 different 2023 BPL Summer Reading Programs for patrons of all ages taking place at library locations across the city during June and July.   Besides its popular Intro to Genealogy program, Southern History Department will also offer advanced tools for genetic research and an online guide to locating family histories on the Web.  In addition, Southern History Map Conservator Paul Boncella will examine the dark days of segregation when City of Birmingham leaders schemed to segregate residents by race by exploring the 1926 Birmingham Zoning Map.   For more details on these programs by date...

The Wall Street Journal is now available to the patrons of the Birmingham Public Library . BPL patrons will need to create an account on the Wall Street Journal website. This allows any profile-specific settings to be maintained and automatically recalled. Each time the user logs in, 3 days of access is provided. After the 3 days, the user must log in again using the same username and password originally created. The 3-day access period then restarts. The user must be a member of the Birmingham Public Library.

The Birmingham Public Library (BPL) and the TRIO Educational Opportunity Center at UAB (TRIO EOC ) are excited to announce the Citywide Resource & Career Fair on Saturday, June 3, 2023. This biannual event is scheduled to take place from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on the first floor of downtown's Central Library. It is free and open to the public!  A primary focus of the Citywide Resource & Career Fair will be on employment and career opportunities. This is the first of two Citywide Resource Fairs  that BPL will host this year.   According to Rico Drakes, Director of UAB's TRIO EOC: "Spring is here and employers are hiring! This event will give attendees an opportunity to explore a wide range of employment resources and opportunities. If you are in need of employment, join us on June 3rd for this amazing event."  The fair is also an excellent chance to gather information about opportunities, resources, and services available through local nonprofit organi...

North Birmingham Regional Branch Library and UAB Preventive Medicine present  Stop, Drop, and Breathe , a time of guided meditation and breathing. If you're feeling stressed or overwhelmed or maybe just want to know more about meditation, this program is perfect for you!

  Mommy's Lounge Inspires Founder Shatoria Peavy, to left with West End Branch Manager Lynn Hutchins, is hosting a resource day at the library giving away free diapers, clothes etc. on May 23 Single mothers: Are you in need of free diapers, wipes, baby items, clothing for women and children? Then register now for the Mommy's Lounge Inspires Resource Day event taking place next Tuesday, May 23, at 5:00 p.m. at West End Branch Library , 1348 Tuscaloosa Ave. SW.  Shatoria Peavy founded Mommy’s Lounge Inspires in 2018 to give single mothers a space to network with other moms and re-energize. The group meets every 2nd and 3rd Tuesdays from 5:00-6:00 p.m. at West End Library.  Next Tuesday, May 23, at 5:00 p.m., West End Library hosts the monthly Mommy's Lounge Resource Day. Single mothers who register in advance can pick up free personal hygiene items, baby items, diapers, wipes and clothing for women and children.   Mothers must pre-register for the event, held ever...

  Want to see some of the City of Birmingham's best young chess players compete? Titusville Branch Library, #2 6th Avenue SW, is hosting its First Annual Interschool Birmingham City Schools K-8 Chess Match on Wednesday, May 24, 2023. The event is sponsored by the James Lewis Education and Tennis Foundation  in Birmingham. The competition between Booker T. Washington K-8 School and Phillips Academy kicks off at 4:00 p.m. Washington K-8 is located at 115 4th Avenue South, a few blocks from Titusville Elementary. Phillips Academy is located in downtown Birmingham at 2316 7th Avenue North.  Both teams will feature 10 players. Washington K-8's chess team is led by Coach Byrd. Phillips Academy's chess team is led by Coach Spoor.   The James Lewis Education and Tennis Foundation (JLTSFI) was formed to provide scholarships to junior tennis players; support educational and character development programs; and support overall tennis play and tennis skills development. I...

  Krisshy, rescued from animal abuse, visited Titusville Library today as she continues to recover.    Greater Birmingham Human Society Director Alison Black Cornelius, left, and GBHS Director of Marketing Stephanie Salvago, holding Krisshy, visited Titusville Library Branch Manager Reba Williams, center, today with Jefferson County Sheriff Mark Pettway to shine the spotlight on preventing animal abuse.   Jeffco Sheriff Mark Pettway & GBHS Director Cornelius look at Krisshy. Jefferson County Sheriff Mark Pettway and officials from the Greater Birmingham Humane Society met at the Titusville Branch Library today, Wednesday, May 17, to shine the spotlight on the fight against animal abuse in Jefferson County.  The focus was on a precious dog named Krisshy, a recent victim of animal abuse. Originally discovered in a horrible case of animal abuse in Center Point on April 24, Krisshy has made a miraculous recovery and happily greeted patrons at Titusville toda...

  Birmingham, AL – In honor of Historic Preservation Month, the City of Birmingham’s Department of Planning, Engineering, and Permits is hosting a series of free activities for the public. The programs include two Historic Preservation Education Lecture Series events taking place at the Central Library in downtown Birmingham on Tuesday, May 16, and on Tuesday, May30.  All of the city’s Historic Preservation Month activities begin at noon. The two programs being held at the Central Library’s Arrington Auditorium is as follows:  * Tuesday, May 16: “How to Conduct Historic Building Research & How to Obtain a Historical Marker.” Central Library , Arrington Auditorium (Enter through main library, 3rd floor skywalk)  * Tuesday, May 30: “Birmingham’s New Adaptive Reuse Incentive for Historic Buildings.” Central Library , Arrington Auditorium (Enter through main library, 3rd floor skywalk) Catherine Oseas, assistant archivist for the Birmingham Public Library, sha...

West End Library is hosting Hand in Paw Storytime at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, May 22. Powderly Branch Head Librarian Megan Green, seen above reading to kids, will lead story time.    Join the West End Branch Library , 1348 Tuscaloosa Ave. SW,  for a special Hand in Paw Storytime on Monday, May 22. This special event will take place at 10:30 a.m. in the Library Meeting Room. Guest storyteller will be Megan Green, Branch Manager at Powderly Library , and a special guest dog from the Hand in Paw Therapy Dog organization will be there t o greet young patrons. "We are looking forward to having a paws-itively good time!" said Lynn Hutchins, Branch Manager at  West End Library.  Check out Hand-in-Paw by clicking here.  A 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization based in Birmingham, Hand in Paw trains qualified animals and their owners to work as a team in therapeutic settings such as schools and libraries. Hand in Paw teams become heroes to people of all ages dealing with emo...

With the termination of many print versions of newspapers throughout the country, it is more necessary than ever that access to local news is made easily available to residents. In that sentiment, the Birmingham Public Library has enhanced patron access to our newspaper database offering. These resources provide image and/or full-text access to current and past editions of local newspapers throughout the state of Alabama and the world.

  Damein P. Baity is the Chief Financial Officer for the Birmingham Public Library System.     Damein Baity, Chief Financial Officer for the Birmingham Public Library (BPL) , has been featured in the Black Caucus Quarterly Newsletter as the group prepares to host its Government Financial Officers Association   Annual Meeting May 21 in Portland, Oregon. He is a member of GFOA's Black Caucus.  Damein, has been chief financial officer for BPL since 2017, graduated on May 6, 2023, Summa Cum Laude with a Master of Business Administration from Talladega College.   He also has a  Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Alabama State University.       See a link to the spotlight on Damein by clicking here.   The full article is below Damein P. Baity has more than twenty years of accounting experience, which includes eighteen years in municipal government. He is currently employed by the City of Birmingham whe...

  May is Mental Health Awareness Month, recognizing the importance of valuing our mental health. Mental Health Awareness Month has been observed in the U.S. since 1949. Every year during the month of May, organizations join a national movement to fight the stigma against mental health, provide support, educate the public and advocate for policies that support the millions of people in the U.S. affected by mental illness. The City of Birmingham will join Dr. Crystal Mullen-Johnson for Mental Health Awareness Day in Linn Park on Friday, May 19, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m . Food trucks will serve from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will be chair massages, a licensed professional counselor providing depression screenings, speakers, free resources, giveaways, local food trucks, a yoga class, blood pressure checks and more.  For 2023’s Mental Health Awareness Month, Behavioral Health Systems joins the national movement to raise awareness about mental health. BHS provides support to Cit...

  Photo at 2023 A Novel Tasting by Cheyenne Trujillo  The Birmingham Public Library (BPL ) would like to thank everyone who participated in A Novel Tasting 2023.  BPL’s second annual fundraising event was a sparkling success, with over 250 guests who made the night a memorable experience for all! We would also like to thank everyone who contributed to A Novel Tasting 2023, especially the breweries, distilleries, and wine distributors who enlivened the Central Library’s atrium with their good cheer and handcrafted libations.  A Novel Tasting 2023 would not have been possible without the generous support of numerous in-kind donors and official sponsors. Particular recognition is extended to Nucor , who served as the event’s Signature Sponsor for the second year in a row. Matt Greer and his team at Nucor Cheyenne Trujillo of BPL’s PR Department took some fantastic photos of the celebration, which may be viewed on the library’s Facebook page.   Proceeds fr...

During May, the contributions, history, and culture of both Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and  Jewish Americans   are recognized and celebrated. Several federal agencies, like the Library of Congress, the National Archives and Records Administration, and the National Gallery of Art, are collaborating to offer in-person and virtual exhibits, lectures, and films that highlight these groups.

  Are you in need of free clothes, shoes, and other personal items? Then drop by the West End Branch Library, 1348 Tuscaloosa Avenue SW, between 10:00 a.m. and noon today, Wednesday, May 10, for its monthly give-away to help residents of the West End Community.  Every month, the Be Kind Birmingham bus visits the West End Branch and sets up a Free-to-Shop store inside the library's meeting room. Be Kind Birmingham’s mission is to go out to the communities in the greater Birmingham area and provide necessities to those in need who may not have the transportation to access brick and mortar organizations. Be Kind Birmingham's Mobile Free Store "is a traveling school bus for the homeless, those on fixed income, and low income communities around Birmingham, AL."  "According to their website, (Be Kind Birmingham) provides clean, new clothing and other essentials with an open heart so that others may see that we care," said Lynn Hutchins, branch manager at West...

  The Birmingham Public Library is helping patrons celebrate Mother's Day all week long.  Activities include a special Mother's Day brunch at Titusville Branch Library this Thursday, May 11, and Mother’s Day Storytime and crafts at North Avondale Branch Library on Thursday and Friday, May 11-12. Patrons can also make cards for moms this week at Five Points West Regional Library, Southside and West End Libraries. Pratt City Branch is hosting Mother’s Day crafts and bingo from Monday through Friday. And Woodlawn Branch has a Mother’s Day display featuring books and other library materials that make mom feel special. Below is a synopsis of how you can celebrate your mother this week at BPL.  Titusville Branch Library, #2 6th Avenue SW, Birmingham, AL 35211  Titusville Branch Mother's Day Brunch, Thursday, May 11, 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m . Spring is in the air! The sun is shining, but Mother’s Day is just around the corner! What places should you take her to? How do you ...

Just got restocked with 10 fresh new watch credits on your Kanopy account? Here are a few titles you can enjoy this weekend (or really anytime) for free using your Birmingham Public Library card and Kanopy.

Avondale Library has a Star Wars display up today in celebration of May the 4th (Star Wars Day). North Avondale Library hosted Star Wars Day craft activities on May 4 .  Today is Thursday, May 4, 2023. May the 4th be with You!  Happy Star Wars Day (May the 4th) from all of us at the Birmingham Public Library.   May the 4th (Star Wars Day) is an annual celebration for Star Wars fans across the globe.  Avondale Regional Library has a Star Wars display up, and invited patrons to drop in today for Star Wars fun for all ages. In addition to all the books, movies, and games available for check out, Avondale Library has Star Wars themed puzzles, coloring, recipes, and crafts, plus a special May the 4th goody bag for young patrons.  North Avondale Branch Library celebrated by hosting Star Wars Day craft activities with young patrons.  Click here to learn more about the history of Star Wars Day.  The unofficial holiday celebrated annually on May 4 o...