Birmingham Public Library Blog

  What: BPL Loud at the Library Presents International Jazz Day Concert Who: Tully Kay, Saxophonist When: Thursday, April 30, 2026 | 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Where: Henley Park, 716 Richard Arrington Jr Blvd N, Birmingham AL 35203 Cost: Free and open to the public Weather Plan: Moves indoors to BPL East Building (1st floor stage) What to Bring: Lawn chair or blanket BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The Birmingham Public Library (BPL) invites the community to celebrate International Jazz Day with a free outdoor concert as part of its popular Loud at the Library series. The concert will feature Birmingham-based saxophonist Tully Kay on Thursday, April 30, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Henley Park, 716 Richard Arrington Blvd., located across from BPL’s downtown Central Location between the BPL Research Library and Jefferson County Courthouse. Guests are encouraged to bring a chair, relax, and enjoy an afternoon of smooth jazz in the heart of downtown Birmingham. In the event of i...

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Birmingham Public Library (BPL) has announced the sponsors for its 5th annual A Novel Tasting , a signature fundraising event set for April 10 that supports library programs serving residents of all ages across Birmingham. Leading the 2026 sponsorship roster is presenting sponsor The Friends Foundation of the Birmingham Public Library . Pulitzer-level sponsors are NaphCare, William Blackstock, and CEAF (Cultural and Educational Advancement Foundation Inc.) Additional sponsors are Shannon Waltchack, Epice, Magic City Media, Susan Markem and Samuel Rumore. BPL officials expressed appreciation for the sponsors’ investment in literacy, lifelong learning and cultural enrichment at BPL, noting that their support plays a vital role in expanding access to library resources and services across all BPL locations. A Novel Tasting will take place Friday, April 10, 2026, at BPL’s Central Location, 2100 Park Place downtown. The event runs from 6 to 8:30 p.m., with a VIP re...

Bards & Brews Open Mic Date: Thursday, April 2, 2026 Time: 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. (Doors open at 6 p.m.) Featured Poet: Thed Weller Host: Jahman Hill Location: The Greenhouse, 602 19th St., Ensley, Birmingham, AL 35218 About Bards & Brews: Bards & Brews is the Birmingham Public Library’s monthly spoken word poetry and craft beer event. The series is sponsored in part by a grant from the Alabama State Council on the Arts, awarded to the Friends Foundation of the Birmingham Public Library. BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Bards & Brews, the Birmingham Public Library’s popular monthly spoken word poetry and craft beer event, returns for a special Open Mic Night on Thursday, April 2, 2026, at The Greenhouse, 602 19th Street in Ensley. The Greenhouse serves as headquarters for Flourish Alabama, a poetry nonprofit co-founded by Bards & Brews veteran Jahman Hill and fellow poet Eric Marable. Doors open at 6 p.m., and the poetry begins at 6:30 p.m. Hill will serve as guest ...

    Spring Break Week Programs & Activities:  March 23–27, 2026 The Birmingham Public Library is hosting exciting free events every day during Spring Break Week. From movie matinees and teen game zones to knitting, poetry, cooking, fitness, and small business workshops, BPL has programs for the entire family, from young kids and teens to adults and seniors. Explore more programs anytime by clicking on our calendar at  www.cobpl.org/calendar Plan Your Spring Break at BPL With dozens of free library events happening across Birmingham, there’s something fun waiting for you every day of Spring Break. 🌸  Monday, March 23 📍  Inglenook Branch Library 🥣  Series & Cereal, 9 a.m.–6 p.m. Kids enjoy movies and cereal snacks in a safe Spring Break space. 📍  Springville Road Regional Library ☕  Coffee, Conversations & Community, 11 a.m.–1 p.m. Decorate papier-mâché eggs while enjoying conversation. 📍  North Avondale Branch Library 📚 ...

Event Details   What:  “Profitable Pro Business Growth” Workshop Series  When:  Debuts Tuesday, March 24, 2026. Every 4th Tuesday, March through October, 5:30 – 7 p.m.  Where:  Birmingham Public Library’s Central Location, 2100 Park Place (in-person)  Cost:  Free and open to the public  Free Monthly Business Growth Workshop Series Launches March 24 at Birmingham Public Library   BIRMINGHAM, Ala.  - Birmingham area entrepreneurs and those desiring to start a business will have a new opportunity to strengthen and grow their companies with a free, in-person workshop series launching March 24 at the Birmingham Public Library’s Central Location, 2100 Park Place downtown.  Beginning this month and continuing every fourth Tuesday through October, business coach Gilberto Herrera will present "Profitable Pro Business Growth," a live small busin...

Fun Things to Do at BPL During Spring Break Week! March 23–27, 2026 Staying close to home during 2026 Spring Break Week (March 23-27)? Birmingham Public Library (BPL) has plenty of fun, free, and family-friendly ways to keep everyone entertained all week long. Even if you don’t feel like leaving the house, you can still enjoy BPL. Here are some fun things to do, all free, available at BPL: Check out books online anytime Browse by your favorite category and explore our collection here: https://jeffa.na.iiivega.com/   Stream movies for FREE with your library card BPL and JCLC card users can enjoy free streaming options through our digital databases: https://www.cobpl.org/virtual/databases/ Check out indoor and outdoor games through our Library of Things.  Did you know you that your JCLC and BPL library card (usable at all Jefferson County libraries including BPL)  can be used to check out lots of non-book items available via our Library of Things ? Among our...

  Free Be Kind Birmingham Pop-Up Stores Provide  Free Clothing/Essentials; No Questions Asked BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — There are no price tags. No checkout lines. No income requirements. It’s a Birmingham nonprofit joining forces with 8 Birmingham Public Library locations across the city to assist neighbors in need. The Birmingham Public Library (BPL), in collaboration with Be Kind Birmingham, will continue hosting Free To Shop Mobile Pop-Up Stores at eight branch locations throughout 2026. The initiative provides free clothing, shoes, toiletries, and household essentials to individuals and families across Birmingham, no paperwork and no questions asked. Ashley Griffice, executive director of Be Kind Birmingham, first collaborated with BPL in early 2022 through the Titusville Community Resource Give-Away program at the Titusville Branch Library. What began as a single-site collaboration has since expanded into a citywide initiative serving eight Birmingham Public Library l...

March is National Reading Month , a nationwide celebration created by the National Education Association in 1998 to inspire a love of reading in people of all ages. The month coincides with the March 2 birthday of beloved children’s author Dr. Seuss (Theodor Geisel). There’s no better place to celebrate than the Birmingham Public Library (BPL)! From a weeklong spotlight on Dr. Seuss, to preschool story times, reading with dogs and hands-on STEM fun, BPL locations across the city are bringing stories to life all month long. 📅 View the full calendar of events at: www.cobpl.org/calendar Check out these story time events happening at BPL (listed alphabetically by participating libraries) 🎩 Avondale Regional Branch Library On the Loose with Dr. Seuss! 📅 Monday – Friday, March 2–6, 2026 | During library hours Join us for a week-long Seuss celebration! Each day features a fun Seussical wardrobe challenge and drop-in activity. Dress up, read something new, and celebrate ima...

The Birmingham Public Library is excited to announce its 5th annual A Novel Tasting . Scheduled for Friday, April 10, A Novel Tasting 2026 will take place at downtown’s Central Library from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. It will be preceded a VIP reception at 5:00 p.m.  The evening will feature live music by Sol Música, an elegant silent auction, complimentary drinks, delectable catered food, and BPL’s signature wine, beer, and spirits tasting.  Your participation in A Novel Tasting – whether as a guest, sponsor, or silent auction donor – will support programs and services offered at all Birmingham Public Library locations. Bards & Brews, Community Connection, Loud at the Library, Summer Reading, and Art for Everyone are among the numerous programs that will benefit from the event's proceeds. To purchase tickets or to become a sponsor of A Novel Tasting, please visit Eventbrite . To learn more about available sponsorships, please call 205-226-3728 or send a message to bpl.development@c...

  Bards & Brews Open Mic Poetry Celebration of Women’s History Month 📍   Birmingham Public Library -   Central Location 2100 Park Place, Birmingham, AL 35203 📅   Friday, March 6, 2026 🕡   6:30 p.m.  (Doors open at 6:00 p.m.) 🎟   Free admission | Ages 18+ (21+ to drink beer samples) 🎤  Featured Poet:  E. Bailey 🎙   Host:  Emcee Thed Weller Hey poetry lovers: Join Birmingham Public Library at our Central Location, 2100 Park Place, on   Friday, March 6, for a Bards & Brews Open Mic celebration of Women's History Month . Doors will open at 6:00 p.m. and poetry will begin to flow at 6:30 p.m. Thed Weller will serve as host. E. Bailey, a crowd favorite and past poetry slam winner, will be the featured poet, sharing some of her most popular poems. Bards & Brews is free and open to the public. You must be 18+ to enter & 21+ to drink beer samples. Bards & Brews open mics are welcome to all fo...

  WHAT: Author Talk: Poisoning the Well: How Forever Chemicals Contaminated America WHO: Journalist and Author Sharon Udasin WHEN: Saturday, February 28, 2026 | 11 AM–12:30 PM WHERE: Birmingham Public Library – Central Location Arrington Auditorium (East Building, 4th Floor) 2100 Park Place, Birmingham, AL 35203 ADMISSION: Free and open to the public Birmingham, Ala. - Birmingham Public Library (BPL) invites the public to a timely author talk featuring journalist and author Sharon Udasin, co-author of the investigative book Poisoning the Well: How Forever Chemicals Contaminated America , This free discussion will take place on Saturday, February 28, 2026, 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. at the Central Library’s Arrington Auditorium downtown. Released in April 2025, Poisoning the Well is co-written by Udasin and fellow investigative reporter Rachel Frazin. The book explores the widespread use of “forever chemicals,” known as PFAS - long-lasting synthetic compounds found in many eve...

BIRMINGHAM, Ala.  — This Black History Month, Birmingham Public Library (BPL) invites the community to explore Black history through film. From free movie screenings and documentaries to streaming access and DVDs available for checkout, BPL offers multiple ways for patrons of all ages to celebrate history with Black movies throughout February. Three Easy Ways to Watch Black History Movies at BPL 1. Borrow Black History DVDs - For Free with a Library Card BPL offers DVDs covering a wide range of Black History topics, available for in-person checkout or online holds using a library card. Click here: https://jeffa.na.iiivega.com/search?query=Black%20History%20DVDs&searchType=everything&pageSize=10 2. Stream Movies with kweliTV- Free with library cards With a BPL library card, patrons can stream for free on kweliTV, a Black-owned streaming platform featuring 800+ award-winning films, documentaries, animations, and children’s programs highlighting the global Black ...

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Working on a Black History Month school project or lesson plan? Birmingham Public Library (BPL) is here to help. BPL offers students, educators and lifelong learners free access to an extensive collection of African American history resources, available both online and at library locations across the city. BPL’s Department of Archives & Manuscripts is home to one of the nation’s most significant public library civil rights collections, including a copy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s historic “ Letter from a Birmingham Jail. ” Since BPL Archives Department was founded in 1976, more than 530 books (including five Pulitzer Prize winners) have been researched using its collections.   In addition to its physical holdings, BPL provides a wide range of digital resources to support Black History Month school projects, academic research and personal exploration. These collections document the vital role African Americans have played in Birmingham, Alabama and...

Birmingham Public Library (BPL)  invites the community to celebrate Black History Month all February long with programs for patrons of all ages across multiple BPL locations. Featured highlights include weekly Black History Month film screenings, a month-long Teen Takeover Thursdays series for Black teens at the North Avondale Branch Library, concerts featuring Halo Wheeler, David Talley, and the Miles College Choir, genealogy programs exploring DNA testing and AI tools, a spotlight on Black comic industry professionals, and  Books on the Ground,  a unique Titusville Branch Library celebration featuring Black veterinarians, live cows, storytelling, and line dancing. SELECTED EVENTS & DATES 🎬 Black History Month Film Screenings Every week in February Free screenings at Smithfield, Southside, West End, and Titusville branch libraries. Dates and times available at  www.cobpl.org/calendar Teen Takeover Thursdays Every Thursday in February at 3 PM at North Avond...