Birmingham Public Library Blog

  Five Points West Regional Library is hosting the Smokey the Bear Reading Challenge. What: Smokey the Bear Reading Challenge Where: Five Points West Regional Library , 4812 Avenue W, Birmingham, AL 35208 When : Began October 1, concludes on November 28. Goal: To celebrate the 80th birthday of Smokey the Bear, encourage reading among kids aged 5-12 and  to help spread the word to young people that "Only You Can Prevent Wildfires!" Details:   For more information about the challenge, contact the Five Points West Branch Library Youth Department at 205-226-4017.   In celebration of Smokey the Bear’s 80th birthday , Five Points West Regional Library has been hosting the U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Forestry Service’s Smokey the Bear Reading Challenge . The competition ends on November 28.  Since October 1, kids in ages ranging from Pre-K to 6th grade have been reading books to earn badges and receive prizes. The goal is to challenge students to learn about wildfires

What: BPL’s Loud at the Library Presents the A. H. Parker High School Choir Holiday Concert When: Wednesday, December 11, 2024, 6:30 p.m. Where: The Central Library, 2100 Park Place, Birmingham, AL 35201  Birmingham, Ala. - The A.H. Parker High School Concert Choir will perform a holiday concert at the Central Library downtown  at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, December 11, 2024. This free event will be a part of the Birmingham Public Library ’s “Loud at the Library Series,” sponsored by a grant from the Alabama State Council on the Arts to the Friends Foundation of the Birmingham Public Library. It is the latest in a series of Loud at the Library concerts including a free blues concert headlined by Earl “Guitar” Williams in September and an International Jazz Day concert in April featuring saxophonist Fred Jones Jr.  “Instead of doing a traditional gospel competition for groups or individuals, we wanted our latest Loud at the Library concert to showcase the local talent of the A.H.

Come see Woodlawn Branch Library's  interactive display “Noteworthy November.” The Woodlawn Branch Library is currently hosting an interactive display called “Noteworthy November.” Taking inspiration from items available in the Woodlawn Branch , the Birmingham Public Library  and wider JCLC catalog , I researched November history and curated a selection of juvenile books related to historic events from Novembers past and present.  Using images from the Library of Congress , I created postcards featuring facts and information related to national and local Alabama history. Historic occasions from national history such as the Gettysburg Address by President Abraham Lincoln, the addition of six states to the U.S., and Election Day are covered.  Topics of local state events include the ratification of the Alabama Constitution in 1901 , the Sylacauga Meteorite, and the birth of W.C. Handy , an African-American from Florence, Ala. known as the Father of the Blues. The Sylacauga meteori

November is Native American Heritage Month, a time set aside to celebrate the culture and history of Native Americans in the United States. The Birmingham Public Library Southern History Department' s celebration of Native American Heritage Month kicked off with a Native American Genealogy program today , Wednesday, November 13, in the Central Library. Map Conservator Paul Boncella shared tips on how people of Native American heritage can do to research on genealogy and how to maneuver the ancestral link to the Five Civilized Tribes. From noon to 1:00 p.m. next Wednesday, November 20, the Southern History Department will host a program called "DNA Testing for Native Americans." The class  includes both an in person and online Zoom option. This free workshop will take place in the BPL Research Library 4th Floor Computer Lab. DNA ethnicity testing may seem a simple and efficient way to identify your ancestral connection to the native peoples of the Americas, but do yo

  Roy, left, and Troy Williams, identical twins from Jacksonville, Alabama On Wednesday, November 13, my identical twin brother Troy and I turn 60. This  milestone birthday  is sentimental to me because of the tragic loss of my oldest brother on 9/11 at age 40 and led me to put on my former newspaper reporting genes and to do research on identical twins.    If you want to learn more about identical twins, here are 10 books available for checkout at the  Birmingham Public Library  and other  Public Libraries in Jefferson County. By Roy L. Williams, PR Director|Birmingham Public Library How to Be Multiple: The Philosophy of Twin s  by Helena de Bres Twin Tales: The Magic and Mystery of Multiple Births  by Donna Jackson  What to Do When You're Having Two: The Twin Survival Guide from Pregnancy to the First Year  by Natalie Diaz What to Do If You're Expecting Twins, Triplets or Quads: Proven Guidelines for a Multiple Pregnancy    by Barbara Luke   The Epigenetics Revolution: How M

  As many of you are already aware, November is Hospice & Palliative Care Month.  This annual observance is designed to educate the public on the important role that caregivers, hospital staff, and volunteers play in helping our aging seniors dealing with health challenges. This topic is important to many communities across the globe and deserves to be highlighted and discussed.  That’s why the North Birmingham Regional Branch Library is offering up a list of our best resources on hospice care and palliative care.  Best Non-Fiction Books  The Complete Legal Guide to Senior Car e   by Brette McWhorter Sember - One of the great things about this book is that it was written by an attorney. The book goes in depth on the legal, residential, financial, and medical aspects involved with senior care. Graceful Exit: How to Advocate Effectively, Take Care of Yourself, and Be Present for the Death of a Loved One   by Gustavo Ferrer - This is for anyone who finds him or herself thrust into

  Mary Allen Murray, volunteer coordinator of Black Warrior Riverkeeper and JCLC Board of Directors 2023 DVD cover of "Southern Exposure" Homewood, Ala. —Alabama Rivers Alliance and Black Warrior Riverkeeper have partnered to donate to the Jefferson County Library Cooperative (JCLC) 22 copies of the latest editions of Southern Exposure, an award-winning film series dedicated to educating the public about Alabama’s natural resources.  Thanks to a donation of 18 copies of the DVDs to the Birmingham Public Library in September, now each of JCLC’s 40 locations will now have a DVD copy of the 2023 edition of Southern Exposure , a series of documentaries on various Alabama environmental topics by independent filmmakers. Copies of previous Southern Exposure editions are available at all JCLC locations due to Alabama Rivers Alliance and Black Warrior Riverkeeper’s donations in past years.   “On behalf of Jefferson County Library Cooperative, I would like to thank Alabama Rivers All

  Meet Joe Compton, author of "SOULSMANSHIP" The Birmingham Public Library 2024 Local Author Expo Presented by the T ri-County (Alabama) Chapter of The Links, Inc.  is today, Saturday, November 2. Joe Compton, author of SOULSMANSHIP , is one of  32 authors from across Alabama selling books from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Central Library in downtown Birmingham, 2100 Park Place.  This year's theme is  "AI (Artificial Intelligence) and Publishing." Joseph E. Compton, Jr. marks his first foray into publishing with the release of  SOULSMANSHIP   (published by WestBow Press), an uplifting guide designed to inspire a new generation of Christians to become skilled soul winners. In this book, Compton introduces a unique approach to evangelism, drawing parallels between the art of salesmanship and the intentional process of sharing Christ with others.  Here, provides a comprehensive training manual that equips readers with the tools and biblical insights needed to

  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 30 other authors at the 2024 BPL Local Authors Expo , happening from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. this Saturday, November 2, at the Central Library in downtown Birmingham.  The event is sponsored by the Tri-County Alabama Chapter of the Links, Inc.  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

  Arshika Tiwari, 9, is the youngest participant in the 2024 Local Authors Expo. On Saturday, November 2, meet the youngest participant in the  2024 BPL Local Authors Expo , 9-year-old Ashika Tiwari. She will be among 32 authors at the Local Authors Expo from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Central Library downtown, 2100 Park Place. This is her third straight year participating.  She is the proud big sister of a 19-month-old baby girl. In October 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. The last two years,  Arshika was the youngest author to be featured  at the 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 persp

  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 2024  Local Authors Expo  at the Central Library this  Saturday, November 2 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The expo is sponsored by the Tri-County Alabama Chapter of the Links.

  Lisa Faulkner, author of " Minutes with the Master: A Devotional for the Revelations of Life" Through her new book Minutes with the Master: A Devotional for the Revelations of Life,  author Lisa Faulkner aims to share innovation she has displayed throughout her career to help clients achieve their goals.  Come meet Faulkner at The Birmingham Public Library 2024 Local Author Expo Presented by the T ri-County (Alabama) Chapter of The Links, Inc.  is this Saturday, November 2. She is among 32 authors from across Alabama at the expo, happening from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Central Library in downtown Birmingham, 2100 Park Place.  This year's theme is  "AI (Artificial Intelligence) and Publishing." Faulkner says she earned the moniker of being "an amazing storyteller" through her jobs as a staff writer for the Birmingham News Human Interest section, a senior producer for Creflo Dollar Ministries, Senior Producer and Marketing Manager for In Touch M

Betty Collins Smith is featured at the 2024 Local Authors Expo this Saturday. Betty Collins Smith of Forestdale was inspired to give back to others over 40 years working alongside her husband, the Rev. Morgan A. Smith, as he pastored churches in metro Birmingham. Even after her husband has passed, Collins Smith continues to minister, but this time through books. A retiree of the Birmingham News Classified Advertising Department, Betty Smith is the author of two Christian fiction books,  "Samson: No Ordinary Superhero," and "The Rise of TEHH."  She will be among 32 authors featured at the 2024 BPL Local Authors Expo this Saturday at the Central Library downtown, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., sponsored by the Tri-County Alabama Chapter of the Links, Inc. Betty Smith is a Baptist minister, Sunday School teacher, Bible teacher, motivational speaker and a writer of church plays and skits. She’s a product of the Birmingham Easonian Baptist Bible College. In a Q&A with BPL

  The Birmingham Public Library 2024 Local Author Expo Presented by the T ri-County (Alabama) Chapter of The Links, Inc.  is this Saturday, November 2. Come meet 32 authors from across Alabama from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Central Library in downtown Birmingham, 2100 Park Place.  This year's theme is  "AI (Artificial Intelligence) and Publishing."  Our featured speakers are:  *  Dr. Idrissa N. Snider (Author)  *Maurice Harley (BPL Network Systems Administrator )  - He will discuss AI's impact on book publishing. * Dr. Fred Jones (Coach, Author, and Intellectual Property Attorney).   The authors expo is free for attendees. Come meet local authors, buy their books and hear speakers sharing tips on how to get your books published, and  learn about  how AI' is impacting the book publishing field.  Below are the participating authors (listed alphabetically) along with the title of their books: Barbara Anderson  -  My Daddy Left, Buy My Heavenly Father Stayed  Nak

  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 2024 Local Authors Expo  on Saturday, November 2,  and meet Birmingham author Sonya "Sam" Mitchell, author of  "Picture the Picture."   She will be among 32 authors at the free book expo, taking place from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Central Library downtown. The expo is presented by the Tri-County Alabama Chapter of the Links, Inc.   Sonya debuted her self-published inspirational coffee table book,  Picture the Picture , last year after hosting her first book release event at the Central Library in April 2023.   She also did a talk about her picture taking book  last October at the Southside Branch Library and another at Smithfield Library.  Picture the Picture   is a captivating album of photographs of seemingly mundane objects, both natural and human-made, that Sam ha

Mary Anne Ellis of BPL's Southern History Department, aka the Steam Punk Librarian The "Steampunk Librarian" reemerged today as the Birmingham Public Library staff celebrated Halloween 2024. For years, Mary Anne Ellis has used Halloween as a time to transform herself from a mild-mannered Southern History Department Librarian into the "Steampunk Librarian." Several patrons and fellow employees love taking photos with her.  "It's my way of paying tribute to the steam punk movement depicted in science fiction movies, a world run by steam or diesel power instead of electricity," Ellis said.  A website,  The Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences , is dedicated to the steampunk movement. It says: "Steampunk is an inspired movement of creativity and imagination. With a backdrop of either Victorian England or America's Wild West at hand, modern technologies are re-imagined and realized as elaborate works of art, fashion, and mechanics." Authors  J