Birmingham Public Library Blog

BPL @ Night is proud to present the talented young dancers of the M.A.D Skillz Dance Company under the direction of Mr. Winston Strickland. M.A.D. Skillz Dance Company is a countywide nonprofit organization, which inspires youth to be creative and to explore the fine arts of dance and music. Everyone is invited to attend this exciting dance presentation. Light refreshments will be served. What: M.A.D. Skillz Dance Company Where: North Birmingham Regional Library When: Tuesday, February 1, 2011 Time: 6:30 p.m. BPL @ Night has been made possible by grants from the Alabama State Council on the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts. BPL would also like to thank the Alabama Power Foundation and the Daniel Foundation of Alabama for their generous support of BPL @ Night.

Discover Internet job searching techniques, learn how to post resumes at online job sites, and enhance your career skills with Project Next STEP (Skills Training & Employment Preparation). The Project Next STEP Mobile Computer Lab will visit the following Public libraries in February 2011: East Ensley Powderly Pratt City West End Wylam Adamsville Leeds Pleasant Grove Walter J. Hanna Check with the library for workshop dates and times. Click here for more information about Project Next STEP. Project Next STEP is funded by a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services - Library Services and Technology Act , in partnership with the Alabama Public Library Service and the Jefferson County Library Cooperative.

A. H. Randolf’s quotation embodies a philosophy embraced by a multitude of African Americans because they understood that change and progress were possible given unrelenting determination. He is one of many black Americans who made this approach a reality. Please join the Birmingham Public Library for numerous opportunities to learn about, be entertained by, and reflect upon the significant strides made by African Americans. More than 40 programs are scheduled at the Central Library and 18 branches. If dates and times are not given below, please Contact Mia Rutledge at (205)226-3604 for more information as some events will be repeated at different branches. The “Way Back Machine” Visits History: African Americans and the Civil War A one-hour, fast-paced event incorporating story telling, props, music, and interactive games to explore the concept of history as it relates to Civil War through the Civil Rights Movement. The audience may participate in a game of “Now and Then,” matching pe...

As we say farewell to the ferocious year of the Tiger, we hop into the placid and serene Chinese New Year of the Rabbit. The most important of the traditional Chinese holidays, the festival begins on the first day of the first month in the Chinese lunar calendar and ends on the 15th day. The last day is called the Lantern Festival. Though not an official holiday in the United States, the Chinese New Year is celebrated with festivals in countries and regions with significant Chinese populations: China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Macau, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Vietnam, and Chinatowns elsewhere. It is a time for reconciliation, forgivness, and well wishes for peace and happiness. According to mythology, the Chinese New Year emerged from a battle against a legendary beast known as Nian or “Year.” It would come on the first day of the new year to ravage crops, livestock, and children. Villagers began to place food in front of their doors at the commencement of each year to a...

As the 17th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards show countdown dwindles down, we will soon learn who takes home the Actor for "Oustanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture." Here are the nominees: Black Swan The Fighter The Kids are All Right The King's Speech The Social Network Other nominees in other categories include: The Special Relationship Temple Grandin The Town The Winter's Bone You Don't Know Jack You are welcome to peruse our catalog for copies of DVDs and books nominated for tonight's awards. The SAG Awards airs tonight at 7 pm on TNT and TBS.

(From left) Payten Fomby (9), Krysten Fomby (10), Jayla Brown (8), and Cassondra Fomby (13) create their Valentine cards, bookmarks and door hangers to give to ailing children. The Birmingham Public Library kicked off its campaign this week to make Valentine's Day gifts for patients at Birmingham Children's Hospital.

In honor of Black History Month, members of the Birmingham Black Barons will recount experiences as participants in the standout Negro League baseball team that made Birmingham a proud city in times of racial division and segregation. Dr. Larry Powell will discuss his book, Black Barons of Birmingham: The South's Greatest Negro League Team and Its Players , as it sheds light on both the Negro Leagues in general and how the Black Barons made their mark on history. A fan of baseball as a child, Dr. Powell was riveted by the historic changes taking place in the sport he loved and how it both reflected and furthered groundbreaking changes in American history. Dr. Powell is a professor of Communication Studies at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Black Barons of Birmingham: Members of the South’s Greatest Negro League Team and Dr. Larry Powell Recall a Watershed Moment in History Central Library @ 2100 Park Place Thursday, February 17 at noon Arrington Auditorium Free and open...

Our calendar is full of upcoming events. Check out the details here. Thanks to Jeh Jeh Pruit and Good Day Alabama for the visit and video.