Birmingham Public Library Blog

  At Titusville Connection Artist Showcase, L-R: Birmingham City Councilor Crystal Smitherman, Titusville Library Branch Manager Reba Williams and Jefferson County Commissioner Sheila Tyson.    Councilor Crystal Smitherman Jefferson County Commissioner Sheila Tyson Titusville Branch Library 's 2022 Black History Month programs kicked off last week with our weekly crochet design class, bi-weekly arts craft and board games, and a powerful artist showcase celebrating local artists and authors from the community.  The programs are among 71 Black History month events and activities being held throughout February at 15 Birmingham Public Library locations . Titusville Library's highlight so far was last week's Black History artist celebration in which over 20 authors and artists were able to talk about their books and artwork before a packed crowd, and to enjoy a free meal and networking together. During the February 2 event, Jefferson County Commissioner Sheila Tyson (Dist...

Save the date for Saturday, February 26. Flyer from Gelenda Norman. The theme for Black History Month 2022 is black health and wellness. What better time to focus on health and wellness in the black community than now? 

  Birmingham, AL – The Arts, Culture and Entertainment sub-committee for Mayor Randall Woodfin’s transition team is asking for the public’s input on the state of cultural arts in the City of Birmingham. The subcommittee has put together a survey to inform decisions and suggestions on how to move the city forward while ensuring that the arts are available and accessible for all Birmingham residents.  Kathryn Harbert and Eric Essix serve as co-chairs for the Arts, Culture and Entertainment subcommittee. They are leading efforts to gather data and input on offerings in the city. Kathryn Dunn Harbert serves on several boards and is a past recipient of a Women Making a Difference honor from al.com.     Eric Essix is a Birmingham-based award-winning jazz artist.   Essix expressed the importance of getting community feedback in mapping out a vision for Birmingham.  “It is extremely important that we hear the voices of the people in our community as we...

  Make your own Achi board with the Avondale Library. Photo from Ellen Shade. This month, learn the game of Achi with Birmingham Public Library's   Avondale Regional Branch Library ! What's Achi ? It is a game of alignment from Ghana .

  Celebrate Black History Month with the BPL. Graphic design by Cheyenne Trujillo. The   Birmingham Public Library (BPL) 's  celebration of Black History Month is in our second week. Throughout February, BPL is hosting 71 free programs and activities for our patrons  in 15 libraries across the city , some in person and some online. Click here for a listing on our calendar ( Black History Month programs )

  What:  Bards & Brews Poetry Slam When:  Friday, February 4, 2022, 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Where:  The Boutwell Auditorium Exhibition Hall, 1930 Reverend Abraham Woods Jr. Boulevard, Birmingham, AL, 35203 Details:  10 talented spoken word artists will compete for $300 in cash prizes ($150 1st place, $100 2nd, $50) in the Birmingham Public Library's first Bards & Brews poetry slam of 2022. On-site registration begins at 6:00 p.m. and poetry begins to flow at 6:30 p.m. $5 registration fee required for participating poets. Free admission. Must be 18 or order to attend and 21 or older to drink beer. Hop City Beer & Wine is the pourer and  Ferus Artisan Ales  is the beer provider. Ferus hosted Bards at its Trussville venue in July 2021.  Bards & Brews is sponsored by the Alabama State Council on the Arts . For more information, visit  www.Facebook.com/BardsandBrews  or  www.cobpl.org .  Birmingham, Ala. -  Enjoy...

See Iheme's artwork this Friday. Photo from Eric Iheme.  The Birmingham Public Library (BPL) has many talented employees, including the latest addition to Pratt City Branch Library’s staff. As a Library Assistant, he goes by Erick Iheme. But when he makes art, he goes by EW Iheme.

     Join us on Thursday, April 7, 2022, for  A Novel Tasting , a wine/beer tasting fundraiser for the  Birmingham Public Library .  This special evening from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. at the  Central Library  downtown will feature a tasting of wines, craft beers, and locally distilled spirits. Attendees will enjoy live music, catered food, a silent auction, door prizes, and cryptic corks. A Novel Tasting will also feature a special VIP Reception from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. Your participation in this fun, festive evening will help the Birmingham Public Library continue to fulfill its mission of providing the community with the highest-quality experience in lifelong learning and in cultural enrichment and enjoyment. The event will fund the Library’s programs, such as Bards & Brews , Books by Mail , the BPL Bookmobile , Literacy Leaders , Local Authors Expo,   BPL Summer Learning, as well as support all BPL branches.  A Novel Tasting will take...