Birmingham Public Library Blog

  The Birmingham Public Library  PR Department is spotlighting Black History Month programs happening at our libraries across the city during February.  Our ninth feature is on    Avondale Regional Library, 509 40th Street South.   For more information on  Avondale's programs, call (205) 226-4000 or email Ellen Griffin about adult activities at Ellen.Griffin@cobpl.org or Carla Perkins about youth activities at Carla.perkins@cobpl.org. Here is a listing of activities and programs happening throughout February at Avondale Regional: Avondale Regional Library, 509 40th Street South,  Ph (205) 226-4000 All ages Saturday, February 1-Friday, February 14 Black History Month Bookmark Coloring Activity Color your own bookmarks featuring quotes by Frederick Douglass, Harriet Tubman, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Rosa Parks.    Saturday, February 15-Friday, February 28 Black History Month Drop-In/Take Home Magnet Craft Craft your own "Black History i...

  The Birmingham Public Library  PR Department is spotlighting Black History Month programs happening at our libraries across the city during February.  Our eight feature is on    North Avondale Branch Library, 501 43rd Street North .  For more information on North Avondale's programs, call (205) 592-2082 or email Branch Manager Charlie Bodiford at Charlie.bodiford@cobpl.org. Here is a listing of activities and programs happening throughout February at North Avondale Branch: North Avondale Branch Library, 501 43rd Street North ,    Ph (205)  592-2082 Monday, February 3-Friday, February 7, 3:00 p.m. Black History Coloring Contest  Join North Avondale Branch as we color to celebrate Black History Month. Youth of all ages are welcome to enter the coloring contest for prizes. There will be first, second and third place winners. Contestants will be divided up into age groups: Kindergarten through second grade, 3rd through 8th grade,  9th...

  The Birmingham Public Library  PR Department is spotlighting Black History Month programs happening at our libraries across the city during February.  Our sieventh feature is on  Wylam Branch Library, 4300 7th Avenue Wylam.   For more information on Wylam's programs, call (205) 785-0349 or email Branch Manager Selina Johnson at Selina.johnson@cobpl.org. Here is a listing of activities and programs happening throughout February at Wylam Branch: Wylam Branch Library, 4300 7th Avenue Wylam, Ph (205) 785-0349   Tuesday, February 11, 3:30 p.m. Black Inventors: The Potato Chip Did you know that  one of America's favorite snacks was invented in 1853 by an African-American, George Crum?  Come find out about the details and participate in a fun potato chip activity.    Children in Zimbabwe playing Kudoda. Thursday, February 27, 3:30 p.m. The Game of Kudoda Kudoda is a traditional African children's game that is popular in Zimbabwe.  S...

The Birmingham Public Library  PR Department is spotlighting Black History Month programs happening at our libraries across the city during February.  Our sixth feature is on  Springville Road Regional Library, 1224 Old Springville Road .   For more information on Springville Road's programs, call (205) 226-4081 or email Branch Manager  Vincent Solfronk at Vincent.solfronk@cobpl.org. Here is a listing of activities and programs happening throughout February at Springville Road Regional: Springville Road Regional Library, 1224 Old Springville Road,  Ph (205) 226-4081  All month long in February African American Heroes Mosaic  Add your piece to a community mosaic depicting African American Heroes.   Local Author Spotlight: Jay Owens Wednesday, February 5, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.  Local author Jay Owens will discuss his books,  Don't Forget Your Home Town  and  Living to Die or Dying to Live . Registration is required. Oak Stre...

The Birmingham Public Library  PR Department is spotlighting Black History Month programs happening at our libraries across the city during February.  Our fifth feature is on    Titusville Branch Library, #2 6th Avenue SW .  For more information on Titusville's programs, call (205) 322-1140 or email Branch Manager  Reba Williams at Reba.williams@cobpl.org. Here is a listing of activities and programs happening throughout February at the Titusville Branch:   Titusville Branch Library, #2 6th Avenue SW,   Ph (205) 322-1140    Monday, February 3- Friday, February 28, during library hours, 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.  Fine Art February Celebrate Black History Month at Titusville Library!  Stop by each week of February to learn about a Black artist and create a unique grab and go craft inspired by their artwork. This program provides an opportunity for convenient creative expression and artistic learning.  Friday, February 14, 1...

  The Birmingham Public Library  PR Department is spotlighting Black History Month programs happening at our libraries across the city during February.  Our fourth feature is on  West End Branch Library | 1348 Tuscaloosa Avenue SW .  For more information on West End's programs, call (205) 226-4089 or email Branch Manager Lynn Hutchins at Lynn.hutchins@cobpl.org.  Here is a listing of activities and programs happening throughout February at the West End Branch: West End Branch Library | 1348 Tuscaloosa Avenue SW,    Ph (205)  226-4089  Make a Beaded Bracelet  All month long | During West End Branch hours of operation   Design a beaded bracelet to wear to celebrate Valentine’s Day or Black History Month.   Jigsaw Puzzle Club All month long | During West End Branch hours of operation  Help us put together a jigsaw puzzle. We'd love for you to stop by any time to put some pieces in place.   Wednesdays,...

  The Birmingham Public Library  PR Department is spotlighting Black History Month programs happening at our libraries across the city during February.  Our third feature is on  East Ensley Branch Library, 900 14th Street Ensley .  For more information on East Ensley's programs, call (205) 787-1928 or email Branch Manager Kenyata Rodgers at Kenyata.rodgers@cobpl.org.  Here is a listing of activities and programs happening throughout February at the East Ensley Branch: East Ensley Branch Library, 900 14th Street Ensley , Ph. (205) 787-1928  Every day during library hours in February Do You Know Your Black History? Quiz  Do you know your Black History? Join East Ensley Branch throughout February for  quiz that will test your knowledge on extraordinary Black American figures and related events. Complete the quiz and, if you get a certain amount right, you will earn a goodie bag! Open to all ages. 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, February 5 and Wednesday...

  What:  Bards & Brews Poetry Slam When:  Friday, February 7, 2025, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Where:   Central Library , 2100 Park Place, Birmingham, AL, 35203 Details:  10 talented spoken word artists will compete for $350 in cash prizes ($200 1st place, $100 2nd, $50) in the Birmingham Public Library's first Bards & Brews poetry slam of 2025. Guitarist David Hobdy will provide entertainment. On-site registration begins at 6:00 p.m. and poetry begins to flow at 6:30 p.m. $5 registration fee required for participating poets. Free admission. Must be 18 to enter and 21 or older to drink alcoholic beverages. Bards & Brews is sponsored by the  Alabama State Council of the Arts , w hich provided a grant  to the  Friends Foundation of the Birmingham Public Library .   Birmingham, Ala. -  Have you ever been to a spoken word poetry slam? Join us at the Central Library in downtown Birmingham at 6:30 p.m. this Friday, February...

The Birmingham Public Library and the Friends Foundation of BPL are excited to announce the fourth annual A Novel Tasting . This  fun event is set to take place on Thursday, April 17, from 6:00 until 8:30 p.m. at downtown’s Central Library . It will be preceded by a VIP reception from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. Tickets to A Novel Tasting   go on sale tomorrow, Saturday, February 1. The first 50 people to purchase a ticket will receive an  early-bird discount. General admission and VIP tickets will be available for 20% off for a limited time only , so get yours today!  To purchase a ticket, v isit   Eventbrite  and e nter the promo code  ANT2025 . Guests at A Novel Tasting will enjoy live music, a silent auction, complimentary drinks, catered food, and BPL’s signature tasting of wine, beer, and spirits. VIP guests will be treated to Champagne, fancy hors-d’oeuvres, unlimited drinks, and VIP goodies. Participation in  A Novel Tasting  will help t...

  The Birmingham Public Library PR Department is doing spotlights on Black History Month programs happening at our libraries across the city during February.  Our second spotlight is on  Southside Branch Library,  118 11th Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35205. Phone (205) 933-7776 Black History Month 2025 at  Southside Branch Library  will celebrate the impact of labor – free, unfree, skilled, unskilled - from African Americans. Here is a listing of activities and programs happening throughout February at the Southside Branch:  •  An interactive (QR Code) display that allows you to learn about African American artists whose works captured the story of Black life in America . (All month long)   *  Reel Deal: Black History at the Movies,  Wednesday, February 12, 1:00 p.m. Join the Southside Film Club and let's chat up popular movies highlighting Black culture. This is an opportunity to enlighten the rich African-American culture t...

The Birmingham Public Library PR Department is doing branch spotlights on Black History Month programs happening at our libraries across the city during February.  Our first feature is on the Central Library in downtown Birmingham, which is kicking off nearly 70 Black History Month programs happening at BPL throughout February by holding the 2025 Black Heritage Fair from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. this Saturday, February 1. This annual event is sponsored by the Birmingham African American Genealogy Group, Inc. , which meets monthly at the Central Library and uses resources from BPL's Southern History Department to help members do genealogy research.  Learn more about Black History Month programs happening at the Central Library below. Central Library, 2100 Park Place,  Ph (205) 226-3600 Saturday, February 1, 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. 2025 Black Heritage Fair The Birmingham African American Genealogy Group,  which meets every third Saturday at the Central Library downtow...

Want to boost your knowledge of Black History and enjoy fun, free events with friends and family?  The Birmingham Public Library is hosting dozens of free Black History Month programs at libraries across the city throughout February. Combined, 15 BPL locations are hosting 70 programs, including several happening every week starting this Saturday, February 1.  Are you interested in learning how to trace your ancestral tree dating back to Africa?   BPL’s Southern History Department is hosting a free workshop, DNA Testing for African Ethnicities, in the Central Library on Wednesday, February 19.  Do you know what fiber art is? Join Powderly Branch Library on  Tuesday, February 4, for a " Create Your Own Fiber Portrait  Showcasing Artist Bisa Butler."  Do you want to learn more about amazing African American inventors?   I nglenook Library’s “Steam Explorers” program on February 20 will introduce elementary aged children and others to these famous ...