Birmingham Public Library Blog

The Stage Is Set for BPL's Bards & Brews Poetry Slam on May 1: 10 Poets. 3 Rounds. One Champion. BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Birmingham Public Library (BPL) invites the community to experience some of the metro area’s top spoken word artists competing for a combined $500 in a Bards & Brews Poetry Slam happening Friday, May 1 at the Central Library downtown. This will be the second slam of the year hosted by Bards & Brews, BPL’s high-energy monthly spoken word poetry series where poets express their voices on stage. Ten poets will go head-to-head in a fast-paced, three-round poetry slam. First place wins a $250 check, second place $150 and third place $100. With audience members serving as judges, every performance counts and getting the crowd on your side matters. Thed Weller will serve as host. Doors open at 6:00 p.m., with live music by saxophonist Saxual Healer beginning at 6:30 p.m., followed by the poetry slam. The competition is limited to the first 10 poets who re...

The Birmingham Public Library (BPL) is excited to announce  Fragments , a solo   exhibition by artist Natalie Harrison, now on view  in  the  the  Central Library ’s  Fourth Floor Gallery .     Fragments   presents  a  selection  of Harrison's most recent paintings. Richly hued and textured, the featured works are inspired by the diversity and often intricate designs of jewelry and fabric. A reception for the artist will take place on Friday, May 15, from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. in the gallery.       Harrison says her attraction to jewelry and fabric stems from their association with femininity. The distinctive texture of her paintings is created by various manipulations of acrylic paint to the extent that it becomes almost three-dimensional in form.        In  Fragments , Harrison's focus was on "recycling the unused fragments of paint from [previous] pieces into new molded forms .  While the molds th...

  Event Details: What:  2026 Summer Reading Kickoff When:  Saturday, May 9, 2026 | 10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Where:  Avondale Park, 4105 5 th  Avenue South, Birmingham, AL Birmingham Public Library Kicks Off 2026 Summer Reading with Free Family Event at Avondale Park BIRMINGHAM, Ala.  — The  Birmingham Public Library  (BPL) invites families from across the city to participate in its 2026 Summer Reading Kickoff on Saturday, May 9, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Avondale Park, adjacent to Avondale Regional Branch Library. The 2026 theme is “Unearth a Story.” Sponsored by the  Friends Foundation of the Birmingham Public Librar y and  The Caring Foundation , the Summer Reading Kickoff will feature family-friendly interactive activities designed to spark excitement about reading for patrons of all ages, from toddlers and children to teens, adults, and seniors. Attendees can enjoy crafts, face painting, a book walk, games, inflatables, a...

  BPL is celebrating 2026 National Library Week April 19-25 BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Birmingham Public Library (BPL) is celebrating National Library Week (April 19–25, 2026) by highlighting a wide range of nontraditional programs and services that go far beyond books. Established in 1958 by the American Library Association, National Library Week recognizes the vital role libraries play in communities nationwide. This year, BPL invites residents to explore how our libraries fulfill our mission to provide the highest quality experience to our community for lifelong learning, cultural enrichment and enjoyment. National Library Week is the perfect time to experience everything BPL has to offer.   During the week of April 20–26, BPL will host a variety of standout programs, including: Free Legal Assistance Ask an Attorney — West End Branch Library (April 20, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.) Volunteer Lawyers Birmingham will provide free civil legal advice in one-on-one sessio...

BPL is celebrating 2026 National Library Week April 19-25.  Free programs, wellness resources, cultural events highlight BPL’s impact in Birmingham BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Birmingham Public Library (BPL) is joining libraries nationwide in celebrating National Library Week (April 19–25) by showcasing a wide range of programs and services that extend far beyond books. BPL offers more than books: Our 17 locations provide a place to learn, create, and connect. Programs and services include story times for little ones, hands-on technology workshops, lively author events, book clubs, movies, music, games for all ages, and so much more. The mission of BPL is to provide the highest quality experience to our community for lifelong learning, cultural enrichment and enjoyment. As part of the celebration, BPL Executive Director Janine Langston will join staff and city leaders at the Tuesday, April 21 Birmingham City Council meeting, where Mayor Randall Woodfin will present an official procla...

  The flowers may be blooming, and the sun may be setting later. Those are important reminders that spring break is around the corner. Go ahead and plan a relaxing but exciting trip before the summertime heat kicks in.   As always, make sure that you have your obligatory, quintessential passport!   Apply for or renew your passport today at the  Birmingham Public Library (BPL)  to avoid packing any last-minute stress on your vacation.   BPL is a Passport Acceptance Facility and has many passport acceptance agents who can help you navigate the application process.   You can start your passport application process at the  Central Library  or the  Avondale Regional Branch Library . The  Springville Road Regional Branch Library  no longer accepts passport applications.   Central Library's passport hours for walk-in services are Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m....