Birmingham Public Library Blog

📌 What: kweliTV added to BPL’s digital streaming lineup 📅 When: Available now for all library patrons 🌐 How to Access: https://www.kweli.tv 🖤 About kweliTV:  kweliTV is a dynamic, Black-owned streaming service bringing authentic Black stories from around the globe right to your screen. BIRMINGHAM, AL — The Birmingham Public Library is thrilled to announce a powerful new addition to its digital lineup: kweliTV , a dynamic, Black-owned streaming service bringing authentic Black stories from around the globe right to your screen. With just a BPL library card, patrons now have free access to more than 800 award-winning films, thought-provoking documentaries, eye-catching animation, and inspiring children’s shows — all celebrating the rich and diverse voices of the African Diaspora. “This partnership supports our commitment to cultural learning, inclusion and media literacy,” said Caleb West, head of the BPL Collections Department. “We’re excited to offer our patrons meaning...

  North Birmingham Regional Library Craft Creation patrons made zentangle art. 🎨   Earlier this month, the North Birmingham Regional Library became a hub of creativity and calm during our latest Craft Creations program, this time featuring the meditative art of zentangle . The zentangle method involves drawing structured patterns to form intricate, beautiful designs. But more than just art, zentangle is a kind of visual meditation—helping participants relax, focus, and express themselves through creativity. It’s the perfect fusion of mindfulness and imagination. 📷  See examples of vib rant zentangle artwork images below. Throughout the session, patrons explored different patterns, discovered new techniques, and created their own one-of-a-kind masterpieces. The library was buzzing with quiet concentration, shared smiles, and a sense of achievement as participants brought their artwork to life—one pattern at a time. This program wasn’t just about art—it was about b...

  Worried about your health but not sure which websites to trust? You’re not alone. The internet is overflowing with health advice, but not all of it is accurate or safe. Whether you're searching for tips on managing diabetes, understanding medications, or decoding medical test results, it's easy to get overwhelmed or misled. That’s why the Birmingham Public Library is hosting a free virtual session to help you take control of your health using MedlinePlus, a website created by the U.S. National Library of Medicine that’s designed for everyday people who want reliable, easy-to-understand health information. 💡 Event Details What: Exploring MedlinePlus: A Resource for Reliable, Easy-to-Read Health Information in English & Spanish When: Wednesday, August 20, 2025 | 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Central Library Where: Virtual on Zoom (link sent after registration) Who: Featuring Megan Bell, Consumer Health and Community Engagement Librarian at UAB Cost: FREE ...

Miriam Calleja,  the body prays for beauty but remains a shipwreck , 2025   BPL recently invited artist and poet Miriam Calleja to discuss her exhibition stuck; lingering , currently on view at the Central Library . In the exchange below, Calleja considers the differences between creating visual art and writing poetry. She goes on to describe the steps she took to create one of the pieces in her show. The body prays for beauty but remains a shipwreck , pictured above, is a distinctive accordion-style book that incorporates lines from one of Calleja’s soon-to-be-published poems… Q. In your experience, is the act of making a work of visual art different from that of a poem? A. Visual art has become a different teacher from poetry. The tangibility of materials, the unpredictable nature of textures, and the timelines governed by things like drying, setting, or layering—all have forced me to let go of the (false) notion of control. I have always written my poetry long-hand, espec...

  🌞 Don’t Miss the Final Week of BPL Summer Reading!  Summer may be winding down, but the fun isn’t over yet! The Birmingham Public Library’s 2025 Summer Reading series is entering its last week. There’s still time to jump into the adventure. Since June 1, BPL has hosted over 200 free programs across our 17 locations, proving once again that we’re about so much more than books. From storytimes and author talks to STEM labs, games, crafts, and movies, there’s been something for everyone. We’re not done yet! Check out this week’s highlights below (July 28–August 1), and mark your calendars to help us finish summer with a bang! 🌟 Weekly Highlights at BPL (July 28–August 1) 💻 Coding Club- North Avondale Branch Library 📅 Monday, July 28 | 🕙 3:00 PM–4:00 PM 📍 501 43rd Street North, Birmingham, AL 35215 📞 (205) 592-2082 🔗  Event details Discover the fun side of coding! In this hands‑on workshop, participants will create exciting projects using Scratch , learn ...

  📖   What: Adventures in Self-Healing Through Journaling 🗓️ When: Saturday, August 9, 2025 | 10:00 – 11:30 a.m. 📍   Where: Springville Road Regional Library, 1224 Springville Road, Birmingham, AL 35215 Birmingham, Ala. – Stress and emotional overwhelm can affect anyone - for kids navigating school bullies, working parents juggling responsibilities, or seniors facing life transitions. But what if healing began with something as simple as a pen and paper? Join local author Vallean Jackson at Springville Road Regional Library on Saturday, August 9, for Adventures in Self-Healing Through Journaling —an inspiring, interactive session rooted in the power of personal reflection and writing. Jackson will share the story behind her book, It’s Time to Unpack: A Self-Healing Journal , and guide participants through practical journaling exercises designed to spark self-awareness, emotional release, and healing. This free event will also include wellness tips, a Q&A ...

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 promis...

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 ...