Birmingham Public Library Blog

People will have plenty of opportunities to get in the holiday spirit during the month of December at many of the 19 Birmingham Public Library (BPL) locations. Among the holiday-themed programs being offered in December are open houses and tree trimmings, cooking demonstrations, shopping and entertaining on a budget workshops, a musical, storytimes, arts & crafts, trivia contests, family fun nights, and movie marathons. To see a complete list of December programs at all BPL locations, visit the  events calendar . Some programs and events require registration, but all are free to our patrons. All BPL locations will be closed for the Christmas holiday from  Saturday, December 23, through Tuesday, December 26.

by Carla Perkins, Avondale Regional Branch Library Naughty or nice, that is the question! Santa’s List Day is observed annually on December 4. While no one knows the true origin or creator of the holiday, Santa himself is the prime suspect. Throughout the year Santa and his elves have been busily checking on children all over the world and categorizing them by their behavior—naughty or nice. It has been reported that while Santa looks over his list on this day, he reviews and adjusts it all the way to Christmas Eve. If you fear your name may appear on the Naughty List, now is the time to do something about it. Visit the library and check out our self-improvement books. You have 20 days to get your name off the list. Good luck! Manners Mash-Up: A Goofy Guide to Good Behavior  The Berenstain Bears Say Please and Thank You by Jan Berenstain D.W’s Guide to Perfect Manners by Marc Brown Nobunny’s Perfect by Anna Dewdney Do Unto Otters: A Book about Manners   ...

Dolores Hydock What: Dolores Hydock Performs  " A Christmas Memory" by Truman Capote When: Sunday, December 3, 2017 Time: 3:00-4:00 p.m. Where: Central Library , Linn-Henley Research Library, Arrington Auditorium, 4th floor Details: Free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served. The Christmas season doesn’t really begin until you have experienced Birmingham storyteller Dolores Hydock ’s incredible one-woman performance of " A Christmas Memory ," Truman Capote's poignant reminiscence of his boyhood in rural Alabama. Dolores will perform this holiday classic on Sunday, December 3, 2017, at 3:00 p.m. in the Arrington Auditorium at the Central Library. There is always a full house for this performance, so come early and enjoy refreshments. For more information contact Jim Baggett at 205-226-3631 or jbaggett@bham.lib.al.us.

What: Healthy Holiday Cooking with Chef E When: Thursday, December 7, 2017 Time: 3:00-4:00 p.m. Where: Southside Branch Library Holiday cooking can be delicious and healthy. Chef E will take the stress out of cooking for family and friends. You will enjoy a taste of the results of Chef E's cooking demonstration. There will be light refreshment and door prizes. The program is free but limited to 25 adults. Reserve your spot by registering online through the BPL events calendar or by calling 205-933-7776.

Family Fun Night at the Avondale Regional Branch Library on Tuesday, December 5, 6:30 p.m., features a super cool special guest: Pete the Cat! Help Pete the Cat save Christmas and then enjoy stories, treats, games, and even get a souvenir photo of "Santa Pete." Registration is required. Please register online through the Birmingham Public Library events calendar or call Avondale Library at 205-226-4003.

What:  Alabama Illustrated: Engravings from 19th Century Newspapers exhibit When: December 4, 2017-February 2, 2018 Where: Central Library , Fourth Floor Gallery Details: Free and open to the public An exhibit from the collections of the Birmingham Public Library Archives will be on display at the Central Library’s Fourth Floor Gallery from December 4, 2017, through February 2, 2018. Titled Alabama Illustrated: Engravings from 19th Century Newspapers , the exhibit features images of Alabama people, places, and events that appeared in national and international newspapers from the 1850s to the 1890s. Prior to the 1890s, the technology did not exist to reproduce photographs in newspapers inexpensively. To provide illustrations for their readers, national and international papers like Harper's Weekly , Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper , and the Illustrated London News sent artists around the world to draw pictures that were then engraved onto copper plates and...

What: Steps to Starting Your Business seminar When: Monday, December 4, 2017 Time: 12:00-1:00 p.m. Where: Central Library, Linn-Henley Research Library, Arrington Auditorium, 4th floor Details: Registration is required The Birmingham Public Library, in conjunction with the Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) and the City of Birmingham’s Office of Economic Development, will host the monthly seminar Steps to Starting Your Business in 2017. The final seminar of 2017 is scheduled to be held on Monday, December 4, from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m., in the Arrington Auditorium, which is located on the 4th floor of the Linn-Henley Research Library. Each seminar will cover the same topics, but those who are interested are welcome to attend more than one day. Topics covered will include crafting a vision statement, identifying sources of funding, determining the legal structure of your business, devising a business plan, and investigating sources of business and economic informati...

Card-Making Holiday Program For Adults Central Youth Department Storycastle Monday, December 4, 2017 10:00-11:30 a.m. Would you love to make a homemade greeting card for that special someone this holiday season? Are you looking for a way to explore design and express your creativity? Well, look no further. Join us for a festive, fun and creative class as we make seasonal homemade greeting cards. What better way to get into the holiday spirit? We’ll have fun combining various papers, colors and designs to make unique creations. Supplies and refreshments will be provided. Just bring your creativity! Registration required. Limit 12 participants. To register for the class, contact Leslie Deason at (205) 226-3677 or email her at ldeason@bham.lib.al.us.