Birmingham Public Library Blog

by Shea Robinson, Fiction Department, Central Library Vegan Diner Julie Hasson Being a long-time vegan and ambitious cook, I’m always on the hunt for interesting cookbooks to give me fresh ideas for meals and snacks. While the following cookbook is not one I’d reach for on a daily basis, it’s one of my favorites because it offers recipes that are fairly unique to vegan cookbooks . Vegan Diner tackles the challenging task of recreating classic diner dishes into vegan comfort food. Covering courses from breakfast to dessert, this cookbook offers animal-friendly alternatives with simple recipes. The layout is crisp and stylish with striking full-page color photos illustrating the recipes within a retro diner design. Some of my favorite dishes from this cookbook include Orange Cornbread Waffles, Biscuits & Creamy Sage Gravy, Diner Donuts, and Chocolate Chip Bread Pudding. This is a fantastic cookbook for vegetarians, vegans, and those omnivores who simply desire to switch thi...

by Andrei T. Jones, Five Points West Regional Branch Library Garage Sale Mania! How to Hold a Profitable Garage, Yard, or Tag Sale by Chris Harold Stevenson A couple of Saturdays ago my wife and I had a garage sale. We didn’t make much money, but we sure had a fun time hanging out together and meeting our neighbors and other passersby. A book that really helped me in this venture was Garage Sale Mania! How to Hold a Profitable Garage, Yard, or Tag Sale by Chris Stevenson. This book lists all types of helpful hints and tips that we used in our sale. It's an oldie but goodie and well worth checking out if you're thinking of having a summer garage sale. This particular book is Springville Road Library’s copy, but the Jefferson County Public Library system has many other informative books and DVDs on the subject of how to have a stress-free and successful garage sale.

by Ellen Griffin Shade, Avondale Regional Branch Library As we transition from Summer Reading to Summer Learning, it’s important to remember that learning is vital for adults as well as children. Exercise is good for the body, so it makes sense that exercise would be good for the brain too. Research suggests that challenging your brain with puzzles may help to improve and maintain brain health. In the Avondale Library Adult Department, we’ve set up “Exercise Your Brain” stations with free, fun puzzles to give your brain a workout. We have word search, crossword, and sudoku stations that are ready when you are. Drop by anytime—new puzzles are added weekly. It’s just another way that visiting the library is good for your brain!

by Roy L. Williams, Public Relations Director at the Birmingham Public Library UAB forensic professor Elizabeth Gardner, Girls in Science On June 21 at the Avondale Regional Branch Library, University of Alabama (UAB) professor of forensics science Beth Gardner hosted a Rock N Forensics program for teens that illustrated how this summer’s Birmingham Public Library (BPL) Summer Learning activities are providing knowledge far beyond reading books. An associate professor of forensic science who has been employed at UAB since 2007, Gardner showed teens the important role science plays in the everyday world they encounter. Teens got to examine “evidence” from a case and learn how real life forensic scientists do their jobs. During the program, Gardner showed how much forensic evidence can be gathered from something as simple as a sock found at a crime scene. Analyzing soil samples at Rock N Forensics In keeping with this summer’s “Libraries Rock” theme, the workshop focuse...

The July computer class schedule is available. All classes are free but registration is required. For class descriptions and to register online, visit the Birmingham Public Library events calendar ; or call the Computer Commons Department at 205-226-3681.

by Alisha Johnson, Ensley Branch Library Naturalization ceremony of 50 new US citizens, 2011/ Foreign Press Center Amongst all of the communication about immigration in our country today, it is important that those who desire to become citizens of the United States are informed of the citizenship process. Becoming a citizen is a lengthy process but also includes some great key benefits: Right to vote Run for public office Qualified for federal benefits and employment Enjoy oversees travel for longer than six months No fear of deportation Ability to sponsor other qualified family members for green card status Benefit from tax laws of the U.S. Be qualified for monetary awards including grants and scholarships However, to enjoy these benefits one must qualify for citizenship. One may only qualify by meeting certain criteria that includes being 18 years of age at the time of application, be a lawful green card holder with permanent residence for five years, be physical...

What: Bards & Brews Open Mic poetry event When: Friday, July 6, 6:30-9:30 p.m. Where: The Central Library Grand Reading Room Details: BPL’s popular craft beer and spoken word event. Entertainment by the Alabama Student Association for Poetry at 6:30 p.m. Poetry will flow from 7:00-9:30 p.m. Free food and beer samples. Must be 18 to enter and 21 to drink beer. Beer donated by Goat Island Brewing ; Hop City Craft Beer & Wine will handle the pouring. Bards & Brews, the Birmingham Public Library (BPL)’s popular spoken word poetry-craft beer event, is returning to the Central Library on Friday, July 6, with special entertainment provided by some of the University of Alabama’s most talented poets. The Alabama Student Association for Poetry or ASAP will kick off the event at 6:30 p.m. giving a sneak preview of a performance they will present during the National Poetry Slam competition being held in Chicago August 13-18, 2018. The UA student poetry group was founded ...

What: Steps to Starting Your Business When: 3rd Tuesday of each month, July-October 2018 Time: 12:00-1:00 p.m. Where: Central Library , Linn-Henley Research Library, Arrington Auditorium, 4th floor The Birmingham Public Library, in conjunction with Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE)  and the City of Birmingham’s Department of Innovation and Economic Opportunity, will be hosting the monthly seminar Steps to Starting Your Business from July to October 2018. The seminar is scheduled to be held on the following Tuesdays 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: July 17, August 21, September 18, October 16 . 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...