Birmingham Public Library Blog

Faith in Action: Nurse and Author Nicole Catrice Williams Shares Stories of Gratitude and Grace As a nurse for 26 years, Nicole Catrice Williams has witnessed God’s miracles daily in lives being saved. As a mother, she’s seen how children are gifts from God. So as an author, it’s no surprise that Nicole’s faith shines brightly through her books. Her latest children’s book, Thankful (May 2025), features a little girl expressing gratitude to God for the way He made her. Through gentle, faith-filled storytelling, Nicole reminds young readers to see everyday blessings and to end each day with a grateful heart. Come meet Nicole at the Birmingham Public Library 2025 Local Authors Expo, presented by the Tri-County (Alabama) Chapter of The Links, Inc .   on Saturday, November 1, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Central Library in downtown Birmingham, 2100 Park Place. She will join 30 authors from across Alabama sharing their books, stories, and creative journeys. This year's them...

Dreaming in Magic: Meet Birmingham Sci-Fi and Fantasy Author Teresa Howard  For Teresa Howard , a love of books began in childhood and never let go. She spent countless summers immersed in  Birmingham Public Library summer reading programs , dreaming that one day a book with her name on it would grace those same shelves. That dream came true in 2018 with the release of the first of her 7 books (she had previously had 14 short stories published). Howard's latest, Magic and Stone, Nellari Book One , published in March 2025, is the final installment of of her Ne llari Series .  A lifelong fan of science fiction and fantasy, Teresa has now written 7  books  spanning speculative fiction and children’s stories, plus short works published across the U.S., Canada, and the U.K. Come meet Teresa Howard at the Birmingham Public Library 2025 Local Authors Expo, presented by the Tri-County (Alabama) Chapter of The Links, Inc .   on Saturday, November 1, from 10:00 a...

  Faith, Love & Divine Timing: Meet Authors James & Vernestine Lomax at the 2025 Local Authors Expo Faith, prayer and divine timing are at the heart of  Invite Him In... and He Will Take it From There. Selah! , a new book co-written by husband-and-wife authors James and Vernestine Lomax. The couple's inspiring devotional encourages readers to seek God's guidance when it comes to love, especially for those who are single, divorced, or widowed and still believe that God writes the most beautiful love stories.   Come meet the Lomaxes at the Birmingham Public Library 2025 Local Authors Expo, presented by the Tri-County (Alabama) Chapter of The Links, Inc .   on Saturday, November 1, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Central Library in downtown Birmingham, 2100 Park Place. They’ll join 30 authors from across Alabama sharing their books, stories, and creative journeys. This year's theme is "Local to Global."  Follow the Local Authors Expo on the  B...

  Magic, Mystery, and Moonlight Ridge: Meet Alabama Author Ramey Channell Leeds resident Ramey Channell caught the “writing bug” in elementary school, penning imaginative tales about a rabbit and a fairy in fourth grade, a “wild west” adventure in fifth grade, and an epic poem about a dodo bird in sixth grade. Today, a retired librarian, Ramey has written four books, including two in 2021: The Treasure of Moonlight Ridge (the third installment in her Alabama fiction Moonlight Ridge series) and the children’s picture book Mice From the Planet Zimlac . Come meet Ramey Channell at the Birmingham Public Library 2025 Local Authors Expo, presented by the Tri-County (Alabama) Chapter of The Links, Inc .   on Saturday, November 1, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Central Library in downtown Birmingham, 2100 Park Place. She will join 30 authors from across Alabama sharing their books, stories, and creative journeys. This year's theme is "Local to Global."  Follow the Local ...

  A Passion Rekindled: Dana Bari Writes Romance for Readers Over 50 For author Dana Bari, storytelling began with a love of romance novels, historical fiction  and a desire to see more stories that reflect her own stage of life. After years of reading about twenty- and thirty-somethings finding love, she decided to write a romance that celebrates passion, courage, and new beginnings after fifty. Her debut novel,  The Risk of Loving You: When Danger Meets Desire , tells the story of a 57-year-old widow who unexpectedly falls in love again with a 60-year-old bachelor. But just as their relationship begins to blossom, a dangerous secret threatens to unravel everything they’ve found together. It’s a story of second chances, resilience, and rediscovering love when you least expect it. A proud Bessemer native, the author's pen name Dana Bari means "wise originator" and was inspired by choosing a name to reflect her goals as an author. The Birmingham area’s blend of So...

  Easton Church, True Sight (Rudd Middle School) The Birmingham Public Library is privileged to host the 2025 Helen Keller Art Show of Alabama (HKAS), an annual traveling juried art show, this month. October is Blindness Awareness Month , and the exhibition is a unique opportunity to expand one’s appreciation of the remarkable achievements of people with vision loss. HKAS features 32 works of art created by students with visual impairments, blindness, and/or deaf blindness from across Alabama. The show is on display in the First Floor Gallery at the Central Library through November 4.   Children who participate in HKAS use various media to create one-of-a-kind masterpieces, many of which have tactile components and can be experienced by other individuals with diminished vision. The pieces are produced in public, private, residential, and home schools. According to the Society for the Blind , Blindness Awareness Month is “a time to shine a light on the accomplishments and...

🥂  Classic Cocktails 2025: Where the Vibes Are Classy and the Cause Is Community  🥂   Where Classic Week Meets Libraries Transforming Communities 🥂 BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Magic City Classic is Birmingham’s biggest annual celebration of HBCU pride, tradition, and community. And it all begins with the 4th Annual Classic Cocktails, happening Tuesday, October 21, 2025, from 5:30 to 9:00 p.m. at the downtown Birmingham Public Library (2100 Park Place). If you’re looking for a safe, stylish alternative to the nightclub scene as you kick off Classic Week, Classic Cocktails is the perfect choice, a festive evening where good vibes meet a great cause. Every ticket sold helps fund free programs and services at all 18 Birmingham Public Library locations. 🎉 A Safe, Stylish Way to Kick Off Classic Week Classic Cocktails combines the excitement of Classic Week with the warmth of community. Enjoy an elegant, secure environment surrounded by friends, alumni, and supporters, witho...

A ll Eyes on You: Classic Cocktails VIP Tables Bring Extra Perks + Prestige Classic Cocktails VIP Experience Makes the Night Even More Special Exclusive. Elevated. Unforgettable.  Upgrade your Magic City Classic Week with the Classic Cocktails VIP Experience Table on Tuesday, October 21, at the Birmingham Public Library downtown, the perfect way to kick off the city’s biggest celebration in style. For just $400, you and seven guests will enjoy premium seating, comfort, and perks that guarantee your night stands out. Tables are limited; secure yours today before they’re gone. Why Go VIP? While general and group tickets are great, the VIP Table takes the celebration to the next level. The Classic Cocktails VIP Experience Table is perfect for family reunions, alumni meetups, or a night out with friends. It ensures your crew enjoys the night with ease, comfort, and prestige. VIP Experience Table Includes: Reserved VIP table for 8 in the main event area Two drink tickets per gu...