Birmingham Public Library Blog

  BPL PR Director Roy Williams with Author David Reddick,  a vendor at the 2024 Steel City Jazz Fest  Birmingham, Ala. - Over the weekend, while attending the  2024 Steel City Jazz Festival in Linn Park, I sought a vendor to buy some shirts for Father's Day and Juneteenth. I found the perfect one in David E. Reddick, buying both a Father's Day shirt and a Juneteenth T-shirt for me and my son, Royce.  As a published author myself, I was excited to learn that David is also an author. I got three of his books:  • "Two Dogs and God" • "The Good Little Leprechaun"  • "The Spiritual Side of Goal Setting - Why and How It Works" Reddick, 46, is from Anniston, close to my hometown of Jacksonville, Ala. That happens to be my mother Pearl Williams’ hometown. He is a graduate of Jacksonville State University, which is where I graduated and met my wife, Patrice. Reddick is a telecommunications field engineer who writes books and does public speaking in his ...

Members of the Alabama Ballet with patrons at North Birmingham Regional Library. Birmingham, Ala.  - Ever wondered what it is like to be a professional ballet dancer? As part of the Birmingham Public Library's 2024 Summer Reading, you have five opportunities throughout June to learn up close thanks to an interactive demonstration by members of the  Alabama Ballet .  Dance Discovery: Alabama Ballet kicked off on Monday, June 17, at the North Birmingham Regional Library. Other upcoming demonstrations and performances at BPL are as follows: *  Tuesday, June 18, 10:00 a.m. -  Central Library *  Thursday, June 20, 10:00 a.m. - Pratt City Branch Library * Monday, June 24, 10:00 a.m. - West End Branch Library * Tuesday, June 25, 10:00 a.m. - Springville Road Regional Library This free program provides a look inside the daily life of a professional ballet dancer from ballet technique to costumes and pointe shoes. Participate in fun exercises and enjoy a performance...

True legends are never normal. The hardest I ever laughed was when I listened to " Albuquerque " by Weird Al Yankovic  for the first time when I was roughly 11 or 12 years old. The 11-minute odyssey covered a random range of topics from being force-fed sauerkraut and surviving an explosive commercial airplane crash to meeting the love of his life and even biting a hungry bystander's jugular vein. I did not even laugh this hard while watching Robin Williams or Dave Chappelle perform stand-up a few years later. This enduringly strange and detailed narrative made me want to listen to more of his songs. That is when I discovered the energized, on-the-spot wit unleashed in Al Yankovic's other parodies of popular songs. Let us not forget about his highly original songs and the fury behind his accordion playing. The 2022 biopic  Weird: The Al Yankovic Story unveils in the most hard rockin' way who the real Weird Al Yankovic is, including those epic accordion solos tha...

Join the Central Library at 5:30 p.m. Monday, June 17, for "Journaling for Life," conclusion of health life coach C.J. Wade's 2024 Self-Care MasterMind Series. stay tuned for details on 2024-25 class soon.    What:  The Self Care MasterMind  - a group wellness coaching series Where:  Central Library, 1st Floor Grand Commons Dates:  2nd Monday of each month, September 2023–June 2024 Time: 5:30–6:30 p.m.  Last Program:   Monday, June 17, 2024 |  Journaling For Life NOTE: Instructor C.J. Wade and the Birmingham Public Library are in the planning stages of the 2024-25 Self-Care MasterMind series. Please share your thoughts on topics you would like to discuss. Send your comments to Jim Murray at jim.murray@cobpl.org. Thanks for your support. Have a great Self-Care MasterMind Journey!  Birmingham, Ala. -  Did you know that self -journaling can be a healthy way to keep your mind focused on this journey called life? If you need help, m...

  BPL's Paul Boncella with Hitachi San,  4-foot puppet on display in the Southern History Department.    Hitachi San converted into a Japanese Samurai Warrior . Birmingham, Ala. - Ever wondered about the Japanese puppet – named Hitachi San – that is stored in the Southern History Department display case on the first floor of the Birmingham Public Library’s Research Building downtown? This fascinating four-foot puppet appears as a beautiful, elegant Japanese woman holding an umbrella half of the year and is converted into a Japanese Samurai warrior with a sword the remaining six months. Mary Beth Newbill, head of the Southern History Department, says Hitachi San has been on display at BPL since 2004, when the Sister City Commission of Hitachi, Japan, presented the puppet to the City of Birmingham. Birmingham and Hitachi have been Sister Cities since 1982.   Birmingham and Hitachi have been Sister Cities since 1982.    The Hitachi San puppet in no way r...

  A new exhibition of sculptures in wood by Oneonta artist Dale Lewis  is on display at the  Birmingham Public Library .  Cabinet of Curiosities is open for viewing in the Lobby Gallery of the  Central Library  through Friday, July 26.  Dale Lewis uses select woods to create functional cabinets, chairs, and tables, as well as sculptures based on furniture forms. According to Alabama Creates: 200 Years of Art and Artists , the artist’s “engaging furniture combines a childlike playfulness with a mature appreciation for sensual form.” Lewis’ sculptures are best described in his own words: “My work speaks to a love and respect for wood. I constantly search for choice examples that inspire my sensitivities and allow me to exhibit my colorful imagination. Art training and years of television production experience give life and dimension to my creations. My whimsically elegant designs are influenced by natural forms which are used as metaphors and narratives...

Looking for fun things to do this summer?  The Birmingham Public Library is hosting 256 free programs, activities and events during June and July for patrons of all ages  as part of BPL's 2024 Summer Reading: Adventure Begins at Your Library.  You can see the full list by location by clicking here.    BPL is spotlighting each of our library's programs this summer. Today's spotlight is on Southside Branch Library , 18 14 11th Avenue South. Southside Branch is hosting 13 programs -two for all ages, six for youth and five for teens and adults.   Here a few programs for youth, teens and adults recommended by Southside Branch Manager Pamela Jessie: Southside Branch Library, 1814 11th Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35205 Ph # (205) 933-7776   Adventures in Art: Scraper Painting (Youth), Today, Wednesday, June 12, 10:00 a.m. Let your inner artist shine and express your creativity while learning to make your own unique piece of art. Remember, it's all ...

The Adventure Continues at West End Branch Library with our spotlight on their Sumer Reading 2024 programs! The Birmingham Public Library (BPL)  has  256 Summer Reading programs  planned for this summer for all patrons to enjoy.  If you haven't registered for Summer Reading yet, stop by any BPL location  to register for Summer Reading and get a B-I-N-G-O card for your age range and win prizes for completing it.