Birmingham Public Library Blog

  Birmingham artist Leon Miller Jr. posing with his painting "Wilderness Jazz"  What: Artwork of Leon Miller Jr. Where: On display on the first floor of the Central Library, 2100 Park Place in downtown Birmingham.  Details: Leon Miller Jr.'s artwork is described as "creative landscape that will transport you to another location. He has done 425 paintings since becoming an artist two years ago amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Over 30 of Miller's works of art are on display at the Central Library through July 31. All of the paintings are for sale.  How to reach Artist Leon Miller Jr.: Email address is  leonjrmiller58@gmail.com or via phone (205) 923-3563.   Birmingham, Ala. - Upon soaking in the amazing colors and details in the incredible landscapes painted by Birmingham artist Leon Miller Jr., on display in the Central Library in downtown Birmingham through July 31, you would think he has been painting for decades.  Miller, 65, has actually been ...

There is a new author working at the  Birmingham Public Library (BPL) ! Librarian Ⅰ Chelsea Rodriguez recently wrote a new children's book, Glow . This cute picture book is intended for young readers and tells the story of a racoon who is fascinated with all things that glow. 

As soon as I saw the cheese puns, I knew I had to read The Princess and the Grilled Cheese Sandwich by Deya Muniz . Inspired by a real-life moment between the author and her wife, she transforms one frustrated grilled cheese memory into a bright graphic novel rom-com about our protagonist, the secretive Count Camembert, and her budding relationship with the fashionable activist Princess Brie. 

This is Southside Branch Library's All Together Now Summer Reading Spotlight!  They are offering several Grab 'N Go activities that the whole family can enjoy at their own leisure. Southside Library's main focus is on Youth Programs, and they offering a variety of programs exploring creative expression and celebrating friendship. 

Jim Baggett is retiring June 23 after leading BPL's Archives Department for over 30 years.  Birmingham, Ala. – Jim Baggett, the Birmingham Public Library’s award-winning head archivist for over 30 years, is retiring. His last day is Friday, June 23, 2023.  As head of BPL’s Archives Department, Baggett has lectured and presented conference papers across the United States, Europe, and Iceland. He has won numerous awards, including being named in December 2022 as the Society of Alabama Archivists’ prestigious Marvin Yeomans Whiting Award, which is named after Baggett’s mentor who founded BPL’s Archives Department in 1976. For three decades, Baggett has led BPL’s Archives Department that is world-renowned for its collection and has been used for research by nearly 530 book authors globally, including five Pulitzer Prize winners as well as several Academy Award-winning documentaries.  BPL Executive Director Janine Langston said Jim Baggett’s contributions have made BPL’s Arc...

Nic Cage is truly one of a kind. Nicolas Cage is one of those actors who does not really need an introduction. I am pretty sure the average person has seen at least one of his films from his surprisingly diverse filmography. His intense, exaggerated mannerisms and attention-grabbing persona have become quite synonymous with popular culture and random trends on the Internet. Even before social media changed how we pursue entertainment, audiences quickly figured out that this star is forging his own path.

What: Author Victor Luckerson in Conversation with Ashley M. Jones When: Thursday, June 22 | Starts at 6:00 p.m. Where: Birmingham Public Library, Central Location | 2100 Park Pl, Birmingham, AL 35203 Details: The Birmingham Public Library and Thank You Books are hosting journalist and author Victor Luckerson in Conversation with Alabama Poet Laureate Ashley M. Jones ! Luckerson is the "author of the highly-anticipated 'epic story' of America's Black Wall Street," Built from the Fire . This program is free and open to the public, but registration is encouraged; visit bit.ly/3LAKMA5 to register. 

"I'm something unreliable  and this  is a day for poetry." —Eva, After Getting Off the Boat Recently, I read Eileen Myles ' new poetry collection, A "Working" Life on Hoopla . While I hadn't previously read anything by them, this 2023 release was a great place to start. The collection dives deep into Myles' understanding of their own gender and sexuality in a refreshingly honest voice.

Want to learn more about the history of Juneteenth, a national holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the United States. The Birmingham Public Library (BPL) and Birmingham African American Genealogy Group Inc. will host a talk by Dr. Howard Robinson of Alabama State University on Saturday, June 17 at 1:00 p.m. in the Central Library's Arrington Auditorium. The talk, "Juneteenth: America''s Second Independence Day," is a presentation of the Alabama Historical Association Speaker's Bureau.  Dr. Robinson, a history professor at ASU, will explore the people, places, and events that mark the origins and development of Juneteenth. Celebrated by many in the Black culture as the "Independence Day" of African-Americans, Juneteenth became an official federal holiday on June 19, 2021, when President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law. It was the first new federal holiday since Martin Luther King Jr. Day in 1983.    J...

One of today's Summer Reading spotlights is on Springville Road Regional Branch Library !  Springville Road Branch Manager Vincent Solfronk and Department Head Laura Gentry shared a few upcoming programs happening at their library. Jan the Science Lady, Alabama Ballet Company, and McWane Science Center are leading interactive programs for youth! There will also be a special  American Sign Language lesson for teens and a curly/coily hair care lesson for all ages. 

This is the 1926 Birmingham Zoning Map designed to separate the population by race. A major U.S. Supreme Court ruling today, Thursday, June 8 - saying Alabama's Congressional districts map were unconstitutionally drawn up to favor white voters - showed that struggles with race and voting are still with us - almost a century after another controversial map was enacted by the City of Birmingham in 1926.  During a time in which racist laws were in place to hurt blacks, a 1926 Birmingham Zoning Map was designed to separate the population by race. The Birmingham Public Library's Southern History Department is hosting a Summer Reading Program this Saturday exploring the issue.   An Emblem of Segregation: The 1926 Birmingham Zoning Map will be held Saturday, June 10, 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. in Arrington Auditorium, BPL Research Building.   Paul Boncella, BPL's map conservator, will explore how dividing Birmingham by race existed both in theory and in practice long before the legi...

As a part of  All Together Now  happening at the  Birmingham Public Library (BPL) , we are spotlighting the  summer reading programs at  West End Branch Library .  Lynn Hutchins, West End Branch Manager, is especially excited about three programs they are hosting. They are offering youth programs with community partners, like the McWane Science Center and the fire department, and crafty programs, like designing your own reusable bag (a great way to carry library books while you're browsing!).

  BPL Mobile is the BPL's library on wheels. BPL Mobile, the Birmingham Public Library's new bookmobile, will be in City Walk Birmingham downtown near the BJCC weekly starting this Thursday, June 8. 📚  The bookmobile will be available for the public between 10:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. every Thursday. Join us in the “Yellow” Block of City Walk Birmingham (23rd St N @ 9th Ave N).   On Facebook @citywalkbham posted it "is so excited to partner with BPL Mobile - and so are we to collaborate with City Walk Bham 📚🚙   BPL Mobile is our library on wheels. It has appeared at schools, community centers and other public places across the City of Birmingham since BPL  unveiled its bookmobile in January 2023.  On BPL Mobile, patrons can:   *Check out books  *Use public computers   *Take advantage of free WI-FI   *Use BPL Citizen Services such a notarizing, printing  *Participate in programs and Activities such as Lib...

  Avondale Regional Library is hosting 25 Summer Reading Programs in June & July. Nearly 250 activities for patrons of all ages kicked off this week as part of 2023 Summer Reading at  Birmingham Public Library locations across the city. Today's spotlight is on some of the 25 activities for toddlers, teens, young adults and seniors taking place at Avondale Regional Library. See a link to a printable listing of all 250 of BPL's Summer Reading activities by clicking here. Or you can click on the BPL daily calendar. Librarian Ellen Shade and storyteller Ms. Cas have selected some of their favorite special programs that patrons should check out, with details listed below.  Youth Let’s Get Together: Yeah, Yeah, Yeah. –Wednesday, June 14, 10:30 a.m .   Circle up with storyteller and multi-instrumentalist Miss Corinne for a time of interactive tales and tunes. This all-ages youth program will have you toe-tapping and laughing along as we make a little music together...

All Together Now is underway at the  Birmingham Public Library (BPL) ! One of today's summer reading highlights is on Inglenook Branch Library .  Library Assistant Ⅲ Matt Guerdat shared an upcoming, exciting program happening at the Inglenook Library: The Reptile Hangout for all ages! P rograms like these are a part of the nearly 250 programs that the BPL is offering for Summer Reading: All Together Now.

  Birmingham City President Pro-Tem Crystal Smitherman is hosting a Men's Health Forum at West End Branch Library this Thursday, June 8.   This free forum will take place from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. at West End Library, 1348 Tuscaloosa Avenue SW. Featured speakers will be Sherwanna Wheeler of Oak Street Health and Dr. Dakota Price of Cahaba Medical Care.  "This topic is important because a lot of men are silent about their health and don’t go to doctor, feeling it will go away," said Smitherman, who represents District 6 , which includes West End Library and Titusville Library. Councilor Smitherman added there is a need for more forums focused on men. "A lot of health forums help women, but don’t focus on men, especially men of color," she said. "I felt a need for this and am excited to bring it to District 6."  Councilor Smitherman said both facilities sharing the health information, Oak Street Health and Cahaba Medical Care, are located in the West En...

  Titusvillle Branch Librar y is helping patrons celebrate Father's Day early on Wednesday, June 14 by hosting a special Father's Day Brunch and Dads & Donuts program.  Help the father figure in your life feel special by joining us at both of these events. Registration is required for the Father's Day Brunch for planning purposes, while Dads &\Donuts is open to all fathers including walk-ins. See details below. Call Titusville Branch Manager Reba Williams for more information at (205) 322-1140 or drop by the library, #2 6th Avenue Southwest.  Father's Day Brunch, 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. , Wednesday, June 14, 2023 Father's Day is a special occasion to honor the incredible men who have played a vital role in our lives. It is the perfect opportunity to express our gratitude and make fathers feel appreciated. Instead of following the usual routine of a brunch at a restaurant, why not create a unique experience at the library for your dad by celebrating Father...

Bards & Brews Host Al Elliott, center, poses with Duane Porter, right, father of the late Voice Porter, and love of his life, Deidre Clark, during Friday's poetry tribute to Voice held at Greenhouse in Ensley.                                   Birmingham, Ala.  - The impact the  late Brian "Voice Porter" Hawkins  , longtime host of the  Birmingham Public Library's Bards & Brews  poetry event, filled the air last Friday night as more than a dozen spoken word artists paid tribute to him at the Greenhouse on 19th Street Ensley. One of the participants, Bettina Byrd Giles of Ensley Alive, said it was fitting that the tribute took place in downtown Ensley as Voice dedicated much of his life to uplifting Ensley. The Greenhouse, 602 9th Street Ensley, is a new venue for the arts co-owned by Jahman Hill and Eric Marable, founders of Flourish Alabama, a non-pr...