Birmingham Public Library Blog

Jack F. Bulow 1942-2008 The former director of the Birmingham Public Library, Jack F. Bulow, died at his home on Thursday, August 28, 2008. Bulow served as the library director from 1993 to 2002. Before he became the director, he served as the associate director of the branch libraries and associate director of the central library. He started work at the library in 1971 as the assistant bookmobile librarian. During Bulow’s service to the library, the library system won numerous awards for public service, including two John Cotton Dana Library Public Relations Awards sponsored by the H. W. Wilson Company; the H. W. Wilson Foundation, and the Library Administration and Management Association, a division of the American Library Association. Bulow spearheaded innovative programs including the bookstore model to deliver library service and one of the first books-by-mail programs to provide library materials to the home-bound. As associate director for the branch libraries, Bulow championed...

We are proud to announce that over 6000 kids caught the "reading bug" resulting in 53,336 books being read during this year's summer reading program. As part of the program, the libraries hosted a variety of events, many of which were "Bug" related. A total of 363 summer reading events were offered at Birmingham Public Library locations during June and July with an attendance of 17,068. Thanks to all who participated in the Birmingham Public Library 2008 Summer Reading Program, “Catch the Reading Bug” and the teen program “Metamorphosis.” The Birmingham Public Library would like to express a special thanks to our Summer Reading Partners: Barnes and Noble Booksellers , Bright House Networks , Chick-fil-A , City of Birmingham Division of Youth Services , The Junior League of Birmingham , McWane Center , and Rally’s .

Summer is coming to an end, but you know what that means. It's time for football! The high school season is already under way. College football "kicks off" this weekend and the NFL season opens on September 4. Here is a short list of college games you may want to catch: Alabama vs. Clemson Alabama A&M vs. Tennessee State Alabama State vs. Florida A&M Auburn vs. Louisiana-Monroe Birmingham Southern vs. Campbell Jacksonville State vs. Georgia Tech (8/28) Miles vs. Stillman (8/31) Samford vs. West Georgia (8/28) Troy vs. Middle Tennessee (8/28) UAB vs. Tulsa SEC teams have won the national championship for two straight years with both LSU and Florida beating Ohio State in the national championship game. In the NFL, two SEC quarterbacks have led their teams to victory in the last two Super Bowls . Eli Manning (Ole Miss) led his New York Giants team to victory in Super Bowl XLII and his brother Peyton (Tennessee) led the Indianapolis Colts, coached by Tony Dungy , ...

Starring the Preppy Buppie, the Punk, and the Valley/B Girl Directed by North Birmingham Library Rated F for fun! What: 1980's Fun Carnival to kick off September Food for Fines and Library Card Sign-up Month Where: North Birmingham Library When: Tuesday, September 2 Time: 5:30 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. ADMITTANCE: Bring your can good(s). Expiration date must be visible. Wear your favorite 1980's costume. Come prepared for food and fun! Tasha Simone of 107.7 will be on site!

During the month of September any Jefferson County library patron may bring in donations for our food drive and have overdue charges waived for participating. Our food drive benefiting local food banks is open to anyone, even if that someone doesn't have overdue books. For those with late materials however, this is a golden opportunity to take a bite out of library overdue charges and help someone else at the same time. One dollar will be waived up to a maximum of $10 per patron for each dated canned or packaged food item the patron donates. These waived fees applies only to fines for overdue materials, not lost materials.

Give the gift of life—give blood. LifeSouth Blood Bank will be in the Youth Department Story Castle on the second floor of Central Library to take your blood and give you a cookie. What a deal! A valid I.D. is required to donate. Wednesday, August 27, 9:00-3:00 p.m.

Photo courtesy of BPL Digital Collections Birmingham's rich culinary history was built, in large part, by women who cooked in their homes for their families every day. Learn about how Birmingham women shaped the city's culinary history, economy, and character simply by putting dinner on the table. Wednesday, August 27, noon. Feed your body and mind at BPL's Brown Bag Programs . You bring the lunch and we'll bring the drinks. Wednesdays at noon in the Arrington Auditorium located on the 3rd floor of the Linn-Hinley Research Library, 2100 Park Place.

Do you like books that contain interesting characters, a touch of mystery, and are filled with humor and insight? If you are in the mood for an unusual mystery, read The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon . The story is told through the eyes of a unique and talented youngster, Christopher John Francis Boone. From the beginning, we enter the mind, including the thought processes and emotions of this young autistic boy. Christopher speaks to us in a simplistic style as he introduces his family and friends. As he describes his interactions with neighbors, friends and family, we develop an insight into his emotional maturity, thoughts and feelings. We experience the joys, frustrations and day-to-day emotions of an autistic individual as he relates his account of the mysterious death of a neighborhood poodle named Wellington. The mystery itself is quite unusual, adding to the wit and eccentric flavor of the book. Through the eyes of this character, we increase our...