Birmingham Public Library Blog

Are we supposed to be watching baseball or reading about baseball? Apparently, publishers expect us to do both because they released a number of new books about the “boys of summer.” We actually received eight new books in the month of June alone. There are two unflattering biographies of Roger Clemens that discuss his ALLEGED steroid use and other problems. In similar fashion, the “definitive” biography of Alex Rodriguez talks about steroid use, the end of his marriage, and his financial dealings. In his autobiography, Darryl Strawberry discusses how he turned his life around after years of addiction, domestic abuse, and self-destructive behavior. I know what you’re thinking. Where is the baseball? There are two new books about the National Baseball Hall of Fame, a new biography of Negro League pitcher Satchel Paige, and an autobiography by baseball analyst and former New York Mets all-star pitcher Ron Darling. American icon : the fall of Roger Clemens and the rise of steroids in ...

As a new feature on the Library blog, we’d like to keep you (the readers) on the up-and-up about all the new bestsellers you can expect to find at the library in the months ahead. Coming in August: 206 Bones by Kathy Reichs Forensic anthropologist Tempe Brennan finds herself accused of botching an autopsy and a criminal case in the new installment of the popular Bones series. Alex Cross’s Trial by James Patterson In this departure from the typical Alex Cross story, the detective takes a back seat to the tale of his family’s fight against racism in 1906 Mississippi. Best Friends Forever by Jennifer Weiner The queen of chick-lit returns with a novel of estranged high school friends Addie and Valerie who meet again as adults in the wake of a tragedy. The Deep Blue Sea for Beginners by Luanne Rice Spinning off from the novel The Geometry of Sisters , Pell Davis journeys to the isle of Capri to reconnect with her long-lost mother. Smash Cut by Sandra Brown Dazzling defense attorney Derek M...

Five Points South will be the official viewing site of Vulcan Park & Museum's annual Thunder on the Mountain fireworks display. A large block party featuring live entertainment, food and drinks will be held in Five Points in conjunction with the fireworks. Over 2,000 people from the Magic City are expected to celebrate the Fourth of July in Five Points this year. For the ultimate block party experience, Highland Avenue between Richard Arrington Boulevard and 20th Street will be blocked off in addition to one half block north and south of Highland on 20th Street. Music starts from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. with a DJ from Jamm Entertainment spinning tunes. Mountain Brook's own Juice will play from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. and local favorite Peanut performs from 7:00 p.m. until the grand fireworks display begins at 9:00 p.m. Partygoers will have the opportunity to indulge in Birmingham Beverage's All American Beer Tour featuring American-brewed beers from Rogue Ale, Blue Moon, Abita Beer...

The Big Read is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) in partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library Services designed to revitalize the role of literature in American culture and bring the transformative power of literature into the lives of its citizens. The Big Read brings together partners across the country to encourage citizens to read for pleasure and enlightenment. To learn more about The Big Read, please visit the www.NEABigRead.org . Nine regions, or 213 public libraries, in Alabama received grants to implement the state’s first Big Read project. The title selected for The Big Read: Alabama Reads is The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain. This project coincides with the Alabama Year of the Small Town activities through the Alabama Tourism Department. Other partners include the Alabama Public Library Service and the Alabama Center for the Book . The Alabama Statewide Committee selected The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain for the f...

Michael Jackson , the King of Pop, died yesterday at the age of 50. He was about to make his return to the concert stage on July 8 with 50 sold-out concerts in London scheduled through 2010. He had also been in the studio working on a new album but no date had been set for its release. Over the next few days, you will be reading everything you want to know about Michael Jackson’s career, life and family, so I am not going to write a biography here. What I will say is that Michael Jackson impacted the world of music in a way that few artists ever have. His fame was truly international and 27 years after its release, Thriller is still the best-selling album in the world. The Eagles hold that honor in the United States, but there are few corners of the globe where people are not familiar with Michael Jackson. His talent was sometimes overshadowed by his personal life, but all of you who are pulling out your CDs, LPs, cassettes, and DVDs know that the music was always more important. Pe...

The Birmingham Public Library is proud to host the program Math in Motion, an exciting, participatory performance that investigates math concepts using music, movement, and a curious collection of everyday objects. Performed by four professional dancers, the show is designed for all ages. It is great entertainment for the whole family. The performance poses intriguing questions and links dance to everyday life. What is math, anyway? How many is a few? How many are in a bunch? What do you call a group of dragons? Math In Motion has been on tour since 1998. More than 30,000 elementary and middle school students and educators at more than 100 schools throughout the state have hosted this imaginative mix of math and dance. Karl Schaffer, a modern dancer with a PhD in Mathematics, created Math in Motion and has toured the state of Alabama since 1998. Mary Foshee has created the framework and much of the choreography for Math in Motion. She will perform at the BPL@Night program. She earned a...

"Who is your favorite Freedom Sister and why?" What are you doing to continue her legacy? HONOREES: Ella Jo Baker, Mary McLeod Bethune, Shirley Chisholm, Septima Poinsette Clark, Kathleen Cleaver, Myrlie Evers-Williams, Fannie Lou Hamer, Frances Watkins Harper, Dorothy Irene Height, Charlayne Hunter-Gault, Barbara Jordan, Coretta Scott King, Constance Baker Motley, Rosa Parks, Sonia Sanchez, Betty Shabazz, Mary Church Terrell, Harriet Tubman, C. Delores Tucker, Ida B. Wells LENGTH: 250-500 words ELIGIBLE PARTICIPANTS: 4th-8th grade students PRIZES: 1st place: $5,000 U.S. Savings Bond 2nd place: $2,500 U.S. Savings Bond 3rd place: $1,000 U.S. Savings Bond 1st, 2nd & 3rd runners-up: One $500 U.S. Savings Bond each CONTEST OPEN: July 25, 2009-September 8, 2009 ESSAYS SHOULD BE MAILED TO: Ford Motor Company ATTN: Freedom's Sisters Essay Contest - Memphis 1 American Road - 211 WHQ Dearborn, MI 48126 Please include name, school, grade level, and contact information. Winne...

The crosswalk that links the East and Linn-Henley buildings will be closed beginning Wednesday, June 24. The crosswalk is being modified to meet ADA guidelines. The entrance to the Linn-Henley Library is at the southeast corner of Linn Park. We apologize for the inconvenience.