Birmingham Public Library Blog

  BPL's Jim Murray with Chef Polly King, who holds a free cooking demo at the Central Library on October 1 in The BPL Research Library's Arrington Auditorium.  Don't let Autumn pass you by without taking advantage of the opportunity to learn more about healthy eating! Join us at the Central Library at noon on Tuesday, October 1, as the Birmingham Public Library hosts "Healthy Cooking with Chef Polly King." The cooking demo will take place in the BPL Research Library's Arrington Auditorium. Chef Polly is a Birmingham  culinary expert and advocate for building a better life with a balanced and nutritious diet. This free cooking demo will feature free food prepared during the demo and questions with the chef. Space is limited.  For more information, email Jim.murray@cobpl.org or call 205-226-3640. By Jim Murray, Librarian II||Central Library  

  BPL's "Let Loose in the Library: Classic Cocktails" on October 22 helps fund library programs happening year-round including dozens of activities happening throughout the month of October. The Birmingham Public Library is hosting a variety of programs during the month of October, highlighted by Let Loose in the Library: Classic Cocktails, a Magic City Classic Kickoff Party happening Tuesday, October 22 in the Central Library downtown.   Tickets to Classic Cocktails are $40 a person, and include a host of activities: Special cocktails, tailgate style-food, a cigar lounge, beer bar, and fun games. Lady Woo, a DJ with V-94.9 FM, and Jermaine "Funnymaine" Johnson, a comedian best known for his viral University of Alabama football fan videos, will serve as co-hosts.  Click here to buy tickets to Classic Cocktails.  Classic Cocktails is sponsored in part by the Friends of the Birmingham Public Library . Proceeds from the event help support all BPL locations and

  Birmingham, Ala. - October marks Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a period of profound significance dedicated to acknowledging and celebrating the resilience of women who have confronted and triumphed over breast cancer. This month serves as a critical juncture for collective action, galvanizing communities to engage in efforts aimed at elevating awareness, advancing the discourse on early detection, and advocating for preventative measures within public health frameworks.  Throughout the month of October, the pink ribbon functions as a potent semiotic device, symbolizing solidarity and evoking the shared experiences of those impacted by breast cancer. The Titusville Branch Library is privileged to stand alongside the broader community in championing this imperative cause, with an emphasis on disseminating vital health information and fostering communal support networks. The library's participation underscores its commitment to public health literacy and its role as a vital infor

  No one ever wants to have an encounter with law enforcement. If you ever are stopped by the police or have a situation where law enforcement are called, do you know your rights?   Jefferson County's first -ever identical twins elected judges, the Honorable Shera Grant and Shanta Owens , and brothers from the Omega Psi Phi fraternity are inviting all Jefferson County high school students and their parents/guardians to a free life-skills development workshop, "Know Your Rights!" happening from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, September 26, at the Birmingham Public Library downtown, 2100 Park Place.  Come prepared to participate in an engaging conversation on the power of knowing your rights, particularly in our interactions with law enforcement. This event is sponsored by Our Community Foundation and Shipt.  In 2016, Shera Grant joined her sister Shanta Owens to become Alabama's first ever identical twins to serve as judges at the same time.  The Honorable Shanta

  L-R, Charles Scribner, executive director of Black Warrior Riverkeeper, Kelly Marshall, deputy director of Alabama Rivers Alliance, and Caleb West, head of the BPL Collection Management Department. BPL has received 18 copies of the 2023 "Southern Exposure" DVD award-winning documentary series.   BIRMINGHAM, Ala.— Alabama Rivers Alliance and Black Warrior Riverkeeper have donated to the Birmingham Public Library (BPL ) 18 copies of the latest editions of Southern Exposure , an award-winning documentary series educating the public about Alabama’s natural resources. “These beautifully captured short films will enhance our collection and be available for borrowing at all BPL locations,” said Janine Langston, BPL’s executive director. “We are appreciative of this generous donation and honored to be a resource to help educate the public about Alabama’s natural resources.” Each of BPL’s 18 locations now has one DVD copy of the 2023 edition of Southern Exposure , a series of docume

  College Financial Aid Questions? Southside Branch Library is hosting a free FAFSA session next week. Drop by Southside Branch, 1814 11th Avenue South , for "FAFSA: What to Do? When to Do It?" from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 26.   Representatives from the UAB Trio Educational Opportunity Center will be at Southside branch providing information about how to apply for financial aid and scholarships. Services are free to eligible participants! Stop by and have your questions about continuing your education answered.  The UAB Trio EOC team is also at Southside every Thursday from 9:00-a.m. until 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. to answer any questions about adult continuing education.   For more information, call Southside Branch at (205) 933-7776 or drop by our library. For information on UAB's Trio EOC program, click here.     If questions, you can reach out to UAB Trio EOC Executive Director Rico Drakes at the office at (205) 975-3793 or via

  Birmingham, Ala. - Hey, high school juniors and seniors, have you started making your college visits yet? If not, make plans now to come to the Birmingham Public Library's Central Library downtown on Thursday, September 19 for the 2024 Fall College Fair hosted by the University of Alabama-Birmingham's Trio Educational Opportunity Center. Attendees will get a chance to interact with top college recruiters from over 60 colleges during the fair, happening between 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. at the Central Library, 2100 Park Place in downtown Birmingham. "This event will give high school students, transfer students and individuals from the community a chance to explore college/educational opportunities, said Rico Drakes, executive director of UAB s Trio Economic Opportunity Center. "Colleges such as Jackson State University, Alabama School of Law, Mississippi State University, Miles College, Birmingham Promise, UAB and many more will be in attendance." For more info

We have had some really fun programs planned at the North Birmingham Regional Branch Library this month—so I thought I would share a little bit about them and how they went! If you think these programs sound fun, keep reading to see what we have coming next.

September has arrived, and with it comes a fantastic lineup of events at the amazing Inglenook Branch Library that you do not want to miss! Whether you're a book lover, a budding artist, a puzzle enthusiast, or just in need of some relaxation, we’ve got something for everyone this month. Here’s a sample:

Birmingham, Ala.— The Birmingham Public Library Archives Department invites you to join Dr. Jim Day as he discusses his book Diamonds in the Rough: A History of Alabama’s Cahaba Coal Fields . Dr. Day is a professor of History and Chair of the Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences at the  University of Montevallo .

It's a blues and BBQ birthday bash! Loud at the Library (L@L) and the Birmingham Public Library (BPL) host Earl "Guitar" Williams and The Juke Band as a part of the Central Library's 40th anniversary. Adding to the celebration, two  Art for Everyone exhibitions also feature the show's legendary local performers and more.  Bring out your family for a free concert and  free birthday cake and BBQ while supplies last!

Springville Road Regional Branch Library is taking today's fall programming spotlight to share the fun and free programs we have planned this month for adults, like our monthly sewing class and a writing workshop. Check your library card status at Circulation for National Library Card Sign-up Month  while visiting for a program! It's the perfect time to get or renew your Birmingham Public Library (BPL) library card.

  The University of Alabama at Birmingham Economic Opportunity Center (EOC) is hosting its fall 2024 Trade Expo/Job Fair at the Central Library, 2100 Park Place in downtown Birmingham, on Thursday, September 5.  The free expo will take place from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. This event will give individuals an opportunity to explore life-changing trades, career and educational opportunities, said Rico Drakes, director of the UAB Economic Opportunity Center (EOC). Attendees will have the opportunity to sign for a trade or apply for jobs from various vendors on site.   Drakes said a trade or certification can significantly improve one's earning potential. Successfully obtaining these credentials can be a direct path to career opportunities, entrepreneurship and yes, owning your own business.  "Countless professionals have built careers, companies and businesses from trades," Drakes said. "The Trade Expo is a great opportunity for Adults and young adults to explore and s