Birmingham Public Library Blog

  Written by Roy L. Williams, Public Relations Specialist - Birmingham Public Library What happens when three of Alabama's most outspoken and thought-provoking journalists gather for an evening of conversation? There will be plenty to be talked about on Tuesday, November 17, as the Birmingham Public Library hosts  What the #$%?,  an engaging town hall featuring AL.com Pulitzer Prize-winning columnists John Archibald, Roy S. Johnson and Kyle Whitmire. Presented by AL.com in partnership with the Birmingham Public Library, this special event will give attendees an opportunity to hear the columnists' perspectives on the state of Alabama, discuss the issues shaping our communities and ask questions during an evening of lively conversation. With Alabama's November 3 gubernatorial election behind us, the conversation could get interesting.  Republican Tommy Tuberville defeated Democrat Doug Jones in a closer-than-expected race, winning approximately 52% to 48%. What does t...

Want to try spoken word poetry before a live crowd? Join us for an evening of poetry and music at 6:30 p.m. this Friday, November 6, at Vulcan Park & Museum for the Birmingham Public Library's last Bards & Brews Open Mic Night of 2026. In its 15th year, Bards & Brews is held on the first Friday of every month except July and December. Bards & Brews is sponsored by a grant from the Alabama State Council on the Arts, presented to the Friends Foundation of the Birmingham Public Library. Doors open November at 6 p.m. Entertainment by singer Resplendant Rae begins at 6:30 p.m., followed by poetry. Details are below and on the flyer above. Bards & Brews Open Mic Vulcan Park and Museum 1701 Valley View Drive, Birmingham, AL Hosted by: Thed Weller Featuring: Resplendent Rae Must be 18+ to enter | 21+ to drink #BirminghamPublicLibrary #OpenMic #Bards #Brews #Vulcan #Poetry

  The BPL Archives & Manuscripts Department is hosting a 50th birthday on Saturday, November 7  Written by Roy L. Williams, Public Relations Specialist -Birmingham Public Library  The Birmingham Public Library’s Archives & Manuscripts Department is hosting a 50th birthday celebration this Saturday, November 7, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The public is invited to join us for cake and pizza in Arrington Auditorium, located on the 4th floor of the Linn-Henley Research Library, 2100 Park Place in downtown Birmingham. Founded in 1976, the BPL Archives Department collection is open to the public and draws thousands of researchers each year from throughout the Birmingham area, the United States and around the world. These researchers include local people investigating the history of houses and buildings; university students researching class papers, theses, and dissertations; scholars researching articles, books and museum exhibitions; and film makers working on documenta...