Birmingham Public Library Blog

If you've ever felt the urge to pick up the mic and let your voice be heard, Bards & Brews is your stage. On Friday, August 1 at 6:30 p.m. , the Birmingham Public Library’s Central Library transforms into a vibrant celebration of poetry, rhythm, and real community connection.  Whether you're a longtime fan of spoken word or a first-timer ready to share your voice, this free open mic night welcomes all. Even better: this August 1, Bards & Brews lands on International Beer Day . So come raise a toast, enjoy a sample, and experience some of metro Birmingham’s most powerful voices in poetry. Event Details: 📍 Central Library | 2100 Park Place, Birmingham, AL 35203 🎤 Featured Artist: Viktoria Vennice 🎙 Host: Thed Weller Back by popular demand, Viktoria Vennice will light up the mic with her dynamic style and soulful performance. A crowd favorite at Bards & Brews in March, Viktoria’s return promises another unforgettable night. Follow her on Instagram @therea...

Event: Summer of the Baby-Sitters Club at BPL 📅 When: Tuesday, August 12, 2025 🕟 Time: 4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. 📍 Where: Central Library, 2100 Park Place, Birmingham, AL 35203 Calling all Baby-Sitters Club fans, past and present! The Birmingham Public Library and Books-A-Million invite you to join us for a special event featuring New York Times bestselling author and artist DK Yingst , as part of the Summer of the Baby-Sitters Club  celebration. This fun-filled afternoon at the Central Library will feature: A lively book chat with DK Yingst A live drawing demonstration A free mini sketchbook (while supplies last) An audience Q&A session And a book signing with the author! You can also pre-purchase books with your ticket for faster access at the event by clicking on this Eventbrite link:  https://summerofbscdkyingstbambham.eventbrite.com While tickets are not required to attend,  at least one book purchase is required to enter the signing line ...

Summer may be winding down, but the fun isn’t over yet! The Birmingham Public Library’s 2025 Summer Reading series is entering its final stretch, and there’s still time to join free programs happening across our 17 locations. From June 1 through July 31, we’ve brought Birmingham patrons of all ages an exciting lineup of events, proving once again that BPL offers far more than just book checkouts. And as we head into these last two weeks, we’re keeping the momentum going with crafts, story times, STEM fun, health fairs, and more. Check out this week’s spotlight (July 21–26) and mark your calendars to wrap up your summer reading adventure with us! 🌟 Weekly Highlights at BPL (July 21–26) 🧶 Summer Scavenger Hunt – Woodlawn Branch Library 📅 Monday–Friday, July 21–25 | 🕘 9:00 AM–6:00 PM 📍 5901 1st Ave. North, Birmingham, AL 35212 📞 (205) 595-2001 🔗Facebook: Woodlawn Branch Library 🔗 Event details here Explore the library, find hidden surprises, and discover new books alon...

  It’s summertime! S tart planning your next, once-in-a-lifetime adventure . I hope that you have saved up vacation hours for some well-earned time away from the office. Students should also take advantage of exploring another country before another busy school year starts back this fall. We may be a third of the way through the summer, but it is not too late to book your next trip. You can also get a head start in planning out all your vacations for next summer!     Before you book any flights or hotel reservations , make sure that you have your absolutely essential passport.    Apply for or renew your passport today at the Birmingham Public Library (BPL) to avoid packing any last-minute stress on your vacation.    The BPL is a Passport Acceptance Facility and has many passport acceptance agents available to help you navigate the application process.    You can start your passport application process at the Central Library , the ...