Birmingham Public Library Blog

  From Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service: "Men of Change" Birmingham, Ala.  -  “Men of Change: Power. Triumph. Truth,” a powerful exhibit collaboration between  The Birmingham Public Library   and the  Birmingham Civil Rights Institute , a  Smithsonian Institution  affiliate,  is concluding its 10-week run and closing at the end of operating hours this Saturday, December 2, 2023. The exhibit opened at both BCRI and the Central Library downtown on  September 16.   The exhibition presents the narrative of a nation through the profiles of significant African American men who are icons in the country’s historical and cultural landscape. Birmingham is the final stop on a 10-city national tour. Created by the  Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service  (SITES),  “Men of Change”  is made possible through the support of  Ford Motor Company Fund , the philanthropic arm of ...

  Erika Horne, BPL Library Assistant III & Orchestra Clarinetist  Birmingham, Ala. – When you walk into the Central Library in downtown Birmingham, many patrons getting passports at the Citizens Services Desk processed by Erika Horne may not be aware that the Library Assistant III is also a professional orchestra clarinetist. Erika, who began working at the Birmingham Public Library in October 2023, played the clarinet in the Mobile Opera Orchestra and Mobile Ballet Orchestra from the fall of 2022 through the spring of 2023. She will be performing at concerts in Mobile again next spring. Erika first learned the clarinet as a young teenager nearly a decade ago at her hometown Daphne High School . She also marched three years in the University of South Alabama Jaguar Marching Band and USA Jag Band at basketball games. Erika graduated from South Alabama (USA ) in the fall of 2022 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education and Clarinet Performance (3.98 GPA). In a Q...

What: Christmas Spectacular   When: Tuesday, December 12, 2023 | 6:00–8:00 p.m. Where: West End Branch Library | 1348 Tuscaloosa Ave SW, Birmingham, AL 35211 Details: Join us for a holiday celeration. Free and open to the public.  The public is invited to usher in the holiday season at the West End Branch Library's Christmas Spectacular. 

  Judy Woods, Financial Wellbeing Coach at Operation HOPE in the Central Library downtown.  Birmingham, Ala. - Black Friday will soon be upon us, the unofficial kickoff of the 2023 Holiday Season. Before going out and over-splurging on gifts for your loved ones, you may want to take advantage of a free financial advice from Judy Woods of Operation HOPE , located inside the Central Library in downtown Birmingham.  Prior to joining Operation HOPE two years ago, Judy worked in the non-profit arena as a Financial Life Skills Coordinator and Financial Stability Specialist for 19 years. As a statewide community resource specialist, Judy has coordinated financial and homebuyer education workshops for seniors, community partners, corporations, municipalities, and other non-profits. Her message is clear: "Financial wellness is not about money; it’s about decision-making," Woods said. "That philosophy is central to the objective of programs that help build awareness of where ...

  One of the interior murals at Hi-Wire Brewing.      On Thursday, November 16, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m., please join the Friends Foundation of the Birmingham Public Library  at  Hi-Wire Brewing  for the Friends’ biannual book fair. Hi-Wire Brewing is located at 2901 4th Avenue South in Birmingham's Lakeview district. The book fair is part of Hi-Wire's Self-Care Night , which will feature vendors of organic skincare products, hair tinsel, permanent jewelry, and more. Best of all, guests will have the chance to cuddle with the therapy dogs of Hand In Paw ! Please visit https://hiwirebrewing.com/event/self-care-night/ for a complete list of vendors.  The Friends Foundation will showcase an assortment of new and used vintage books, graphic novels, adult fiction and nonfiction, and children's books—all available for purchase at bargain prices. Books will be sold individually only (not by the bag as at past book sales).   About the Friends Fou...

What: Live Q&A with Actress Mary Badham When: Wednesday, November 15, 2023 | 2:00 p.m. Where: Springville Road Regional Branch Library | 1224 Old Springville Rd, Birmingham, AL 35215 About the event: To Kill a Mockingbird Actress Mary Badham is visiting the Springville Road Regional Branch Library for a live Q&A. Badham originally played Scout in the 1962 film To Kill A Mockingbird  and returns as M rs. Dubose in the Broadway touring play written by Aaron Sorkin and directed by Bartlett Sher. For more information, contact the Springville Road Library at 205-226-4083.

*Cue Matthew McConaughey thumping his chest and humming proudly.* Seeing Martin Scorsese 's latest collaboration with Leonardo DiCaprio ,  Killers of the Flower Moon , inspired me to revisit his filmography. As my movie-watching memories rummaged through his films that I have not recently seen, I decided to watch  The Wolf of Wall Street for the first time since I last saw it in theaters almost 10 years ago.

BPL's Monica K. Slater has won the George A. Strait Fellowship from the American Association of Law Libraries. She is serving the fellowship at Lucille Stewart Beeson Law Library at Samford University.    Birmingham, Ala . -  Monica King Slater , a Library Assistant III in the Central Library’s Citizens Services Department, has won a fellowship from a prestigious national law library association.  The longtime Birmingham Public Library employee is now a George A. Strait Fellow at Samford University’s Lucille Stewart Beeson Law Library. The George A. Strait Fellowship, awarded by the American Association of Law Libraries (AALL) , honors the memory of the distinguished law librarian and longtime AALL member.  As part of the fellowship, Ms. Slater is required to complete work hours at a host library. Ms. Slater, who has an interest in law library reference services and general law library operations, is a student in the Master of Library and Information Studies (ML...

In her heartwarming new book, "A Brown Girl's Christmas Story," Birmingham author Alexandria Tate wants to make the holidays brighter for little girls of color. Come meet Tate and nearly 30 other authors this Saturday, November 4, at the Birmingham Public Library's 2023 Local Authors Expo. This free event will take place from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the Central Library downtown, 2100 Park Place.  A Brown Girl's Christmas Story   takes you on a heart-warming journey through the eyes of little Allison as she fondly recounts her Christmas and family's traditions.  Join Allison as she shares her cherished Christmas memories and cherished family traditions.  Immerse yourself in the joy, love, and warmth of this enchanting tale, perfect for creating unforgettable holiday moments. Discover the true spirit of Christmas through the eyes of Allison and make this heartwarming story a cherished part of your family's holiday tradition.  Get your autographed copy Sa...

  Reginald Thomas wants young people to dream big. A veteran author, Thomas last year released his latest children's book "A Big Dream"   The book is about a little girl who wonders because she doesn’t know what to think of her big dream. Her father assures her that the sky is the limit. You can do or be whatever you decide to be in life. He also wrote "A Big Dream" activity workbook that has educational activities that includes word puzzles, letter and number tracing. Thomas will be among 30 authors at the 2023 Birmingham Public Library Local Authors Expo on Saturday, Nov. 4. The free authors event will be from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Central Library downtown.   In an interview with BPL, Thomas said he loves writing children's books that help build reading and literacy. "A Big Dream" was inspired by his grandsons, Steven and Benjamin. He hopes readers learn "that dreams do come true."   Thomas favorite author is James Baldwin...

Author Harry Burton Flanagan Are you familiar with The White Rose, a resistance group of young people best known for standing up to oppressors in Nazi Germany? Author Harry Burton Flanagan explores that topic in his new book "The White Rose."  Come meet Flanagan and nearly 30 other authors this Saturday, November 4, at the  Birmingham Public Library's 2023 Local Authors Expo.  This free event will take place from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the Central Library downtown, 2100 Park Place.  "The White Rose"  tells the story of a group that during the 1940s resisted Adolf Hitler's regime by dropping anonymous pamphlets throughout Germany.  Flanagan released his book at age 74 two years ago. He is a retired lawyer who graduated from the University of Alabama and the University of Alabama School of Law. In a Q&A with BPL, Flanagan talks about what inspired his book. BPL: Tell me about your book. Flanagan:   "The White Rose"  is history. It relates ...

  Author Sonya "Sam" Mitche ll  Do have a passion for photography? Do you want to learn how to get the most out of your picture-taking? Then drop by the Birmingham Public Library's 2023 Local Authors Expo Saturday and meet Birmingham author Sonya "Sam" Mitchell, author of "Picture the Picture."   She will be among 30 authors at the free book expo, taking place from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Central Library downtown.   Sonya debuted her self-published inspirational coffee table book, Picture the Picture , earlier this year after hosting her first book release event at the Central Library in April.   She also did a talk about her picture taking book last month at the Southside Branch Library.  Picture the Picture   is a captivating album of photographs of seemingly mundane objects, both natural and human-made, that Sam has stumbled upon during one of her many walks through her neighborhood. Each photography is accompanied by a Scrip...

Arshika Tiwari, 8, is the youngest participant in the 2023 Local Authors Expo. On Saturday, November 4, meet the youngest participant in the 2023 BPL Local Authors Expo , 8-year-old Ashika Tiwari. She will be among 30 authors at the Local Authors Expo from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Central Library downtown, 2100 Park Place. She is the proud big sister of a 7-month-old baby girl. Two weeks ago (October 19, 2023), Arshika's second book, "The Yummiest Tomato Soup," was published. BarnesandNoble.com describes the book as follows, "Join me on this expedition of making tomato soup with me. My little baby sister is very naughty right now!"   Arshika loves to read and write books. Last year, Arshika was the youngest author to be featured at the  2022 Local Authors Expo . The local author put all of her love for her pre-school into a book during the COVID-19 lockdown when her preschool temporarily closed.  Get a new perspective on the writing process with Tiwari in...

  Author Gwarmekia LaFaye Sturdivant  Author Gwarmekia Sturdivant   has been described as a "queen with a mission to empower children" and others through her books. Come meet Gwarmekia and nearly 30 other authors this Saturday, November 4, at the Birmingham Public Library's 2023 Local Authors Expo. This free event will take place from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the Central Library downtown, 2100 Park Place.  Gwarmekia has written several books including "Altar Call: Confessions Part 1" (August 2019), a book meant to encourage others going through trials and trauma. Learn more about Gwarmekia below.    BPL: Tell me about your books. Gwarmekia:   Most of my books are educational, just in different subjects. Although the children books have pictures, I believe they're awesome for teens and adults.  My first book, 'No, Don't Touch Me There!' was from God. Something that happened as a child turned around for good. I'm able to help other childre...

O. Jay Owens Heard of the phrase "You can't teach an old dog new tricks?" Birmingham's Jay Owens strives to prove doubters wrong every day. A longtime successful businessman, Jay Owens shares life lessons and more in his new book, "Living to Die or Dying to Live. " Come meet him and nearly 30 other authors at the 2023 BPL Local Authors Expo, happening from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. this Saturday, November 4, at the Central Library in downtown Birmingham.   Owens first love was teaching. He spent 25 years as a teacher at an affluent school system in metro Birmingham, being nominated as teacher of the year. But he had a deep passion for entrepreneurship, and in 1979 founded O. Jay Fence Company in Birmingham. He remained owner for 40 years until selling it on to his son, Rahman Owens.  In 2010, Owens founded Jay's Enterprise LLC, which specializes in real estate.   Learn more about author Jay Owens by checking out this YouTube of his interview with book...

Keimaya Downey wrote a collection of poetry and prose that details her journey of healing and self-discovery in an age oversaturated with misleading narratives of success.  Downey will be at  the  Local Authors Expo  at the Central Library this  Saturday, November 4, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

The  Local Authors Expo  is happening at the Central Library this  Saturday, November 4, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. There will be over 30 authors at the library this Saturday for attendees to get signed books and network with writers and others in the industry. In a short Q&A with the Birmingham Public Library, Local Authors Expo participant Stephanie Jordan tells us what inspired her book.

Men of Change Artist Shaun Leonardo, photo by Vincent Tullo.   On Wednesday, November 8, at 6:00 p.m., please stop by the Central Library downtown for a live conversation between acclaimed artist Shaun Leonardo  and noted scholar Stacy Morgan . Leonardo and Morgan will discuss Men of Change: Power. Triumph. Truth. ,  the exhibition currently on view at the Birmingham Public Library (BPL)  and the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute  (BCRI). The conversation will be video-streamed on the library’s theatre-sized screen in the First Floor Atrium. Audience members will have the chance to participate in the discussion through panel moderator Paul Barrett . The conversation may also be viewed and listened to online via Zoom at https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89923570710.   Shaun Leonardo is one of 25 contemporary artists whose work is featured in Men of Change. Leonardo’s work has been featured at The Guggenheim Museum, the High Line, and New Museum, as well as pro...

  What: 2023 Word Up! Poetry Festival  When: Friday, December 8, 5:00-9:00 p.m. Where: The Central Library, 2100 Park Place, Birmingham, AL 35203 About the event: Sponsored by The Flourish Alabama in collaboration with the Birmingham Public Library, Word Up! is a poetry festival featuring 12 school teams and 12 individuals who will compete for $5,000 in cash prizes by sharing original spoken word poetry. Preparation workshops are under way now and will culminate with the final poetry slam on December 8. Registration deadline is November 10.    For inquiries or further information, visit theflourishal.com/wordup or contact The Flourish Alabama at education@theflourishal.com.     Birmingham, AL — The Flourish Alabama is thrilled to announce its continued collaboration with the Birmingham Public Library for the fourth consecutive year to present the highly anticipated Word Up! Poetry Festival. Scheduled for Friday, December 8, from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m...

Sophia Hansen's unique outlook on life created  Water's Break , a book about an  amphibian-inhabited water-covered planet that is invaded by a technologically advanced race. What to know what happens next? Ask Hansen in person at  the  Local Authors Expo  at the Central Library this  Saturday, November 4, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

  Birmingham's Erma Cooper just wrote her first book at age 73. Don't ever feel you are too old to publish a book. At age 73, Erma Cooper of Birmingham earlier this year published her first book, "Granny's Golden Nuggets."   This Saturday, November 4, come meet Erma Cooper and nearly 30 other authors at the 2023 Birmingham Public Library Local Authors Expo.   The free event will be from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Central Library downtown. A retired Birmingham school teacher, Cooper was married to the love of her life, Larry, for 45 years. She has two daughters, a son-in-law, and three grandchildren. Passing on wisdom to her grandkids is what inspired her book. Learn more about Erma Cooper and her book of inspirational nuggets of wisdom below. BPL: Tell me about your book. Cooper: "Granny's Golden Nuggets" was inspired by my grandchildren and my prayer to always guide them on a path towards God. Each Nugget is a bite-sized piece of Godly wisdom....

Author Mary Anne Freeman On Saturday, November 4, Mary Anne Freeman will be among 30 published authors participating in the Birmingham Public Library's 2023 Local Authors Expo. Come meet her and other authors who will have autographed books for sale. BPL is spotlighting several of the authors. Today meet Mary Anne Freeman, author of "Let's Roll, Oliver!" The Vestavia Hills resident was recently featured in Vestavia Voice .    The book was illustrated by a Samford University student, Memory Smith. BPL: Tell me about your book. Freeman : Let's Roll, Oliver! is a true story about my long-haired dachshund, Oliver, who lived 10 of his 15 years in a doggie wheelchair. Oliver never dreamed about having a wheelchair. He was very patient with his people and made the experience funny as they adapted to his new way of getting around. He was determined a wheelchair was not going to slow him down. His story will warm your heart and make you smile.  What inspired you to wri...