Birmingham Public Library Blog

  Need something to look forward to this weekend? The Birmingham Public Library (BPL) has got you covered with a virtual poetry slam on Friday night and the return of in-person library services Saturday at the Central Library.   Begin at 6:00 p.m. tonight Friday, January 8, by watching some of Alabama’s most talented spoken word poetry artists compete for a $300 grand prize when BPL hosts its first ever Bards & Brews Virtual Poetry Slam.  The competition will air live on the Bards & Brews Facebook page .   BPL’s popular monthly spoken word poetry/craft beer event , in its 11 th year, switched to a virtual event last April due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Poetry slams are Bards & Brews biggest event, but this is the first time the slam will be held online. After watching Bards & Brews tonight,  join us downtown as the Central Library, located at 2100 Park Place,  resumes in-person services on Saturday, January 9, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Th...

  By Lynn Hutchins | Citizen Services, Central Library   What: Birmingham Public Library open and accepting passport applications When: Monday – Friday 9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.; Saturday by appointment only  Where:   Central Library , 2100 Park Place, 35203, and by appointment only at the Five Points West Regional Branch Library , 4812 Avenue West, 35208 For a list of everything you need to bring or to schedule an appointment, call the Central Branch at 205-226-3705 or the Five Points West Branch at 205-226-4013. Birmingham, Ala. - The U.S. State Department issues two versions of a passport: a traditional passport book and a passport card. While both can be used as forms of ID when traveling, the passport card has some restrictions.  Deciding which is best for you boils down to where you’re traveling, how frequently you travel, and your budget. The standard passport book covers all the bases. The book has everything the U.S. government requires for int...

What : Brothers & Bow Ties: A Vision Cast Virtual Event   When : Saturday, January 16, 10:00 a.m.   Where : Birmingham Public Library Facebook Page Details : As part of a citywide celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Weekend, the Birmingham Public Library will host “Brothers and Bow Ties: A Vision Cast Virtual Event” on Saturday, January 16. BPL is seeking donations of  hats, gloves, coats, masks, tote bags, soup, sandwiches, and other items to be distributed to  those in need on Monday, January 18 at the Birmingham Public Library downtown as part of the Day of Service activities taking place on MLK Day The Birmingham Public Library is preparing to host “2021 Brothers and Bow Ties: A Vision Cast” virtual event, at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 16, 2021.  The event is part of a citywide celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Weekend, and will include a panel of black men offering inspirational words of encouragement to young boys and teenagers between t...

  The New Year lies ahead with books to be read, and adventures to be led.  May you find fulfillment and joy all year long!  Thank you for your support of the Birmingham Public Library during this challenging and difficult year and please think of BPL for end of year giving. Your gift helps spark imagination, empower individuals, and aids our libraries to make lives better for thousands by providing quality programs and services that help make a better Birmingham.  With your help, the BPL will be able to:  * Serve 2 million visitors per year at 18 locations  * Provide 3,000 programs reaching 60,000 people  * Maintain a million books and research materials  * Care for 30 million historic documents and 500,000 photographs  * Continue to focus on finding creative ways to reach and serve our patrons   Click here to make a donation www.donatenow.networkforgood.org/supportbhampubliclibrary  You can also contribute by making checks payable...

  What : Bards & Brews Virtual Poetry Slam  When : Friday, January 8, 2021, 6:00 p.m.  Where : Bards &   Brews Facebook Page Details : BPL's poetry slam is open to the 10 poets who pay a $10 fee to enter the competition. The winner will receive a $300 grand prize. The winner will be chosen by a panel of guest judges. Register at Bards.Brews@cobpl.org between January 1 and January 6, 2021.    Birmingham, Ala.- Some of Alabama's most talented spoken word poets will be competing for a $300 grand prize on Friday, January 8, 2021 as   the Birmingham Public Library hosts its first ever virtual   Bards & Brews  Poetry Slam.  The Bards & Brews Virtual Slam will take place live beginning at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, January 8 on the Bards & Brews Facebook page ( https://www.facebook.com/BardsandBrews ). This will be BPL’s first poetry slam since October 2019 , held at the Central Library A poetry slam is a competition us...

All 18 Birmingham Public Library locations will be closed on Friday, January 1, 2021, for New Year's Day holiday. Our libraries will reopen during normal business hours on Monday, January 4, 2021. Although patrons will not be able to enter our facilities on New Year's Day, BPL remains open 24/7 online as patrons can check out items on our website and on our mobile app. You can also learn more about our services and programs on our social media accounts including the BPL Facebook pages and our BPL Twitter account.    

  All 18 Birmingham Public Library locations will be closed for the Christmas holiday on Thursday, December 24, and  Friday, December 25, 2020. Since our libraries have not reopened yet on weekends, BPL will not resume services again until Monday, December 28, 2020. Although our locations will be closed for the holidays, remember BPL remains open 24/7 online at www.cobpl.org and on our social media channels. You can also check out books, DVDs and other items by using the BPL mobile app.  Happy Holidays from all of us at BPL and thanks for your support in 2020.  

  By Jim Murray | Business, Science and Technology Department, Central Library  What: Let’s Talk about Medicare: Questions and Answers Facebook Live program When: First Thursday of each month, January-December 2021 Time: 12:00–1:00 p.m.  Where : Birmingham Public Library's Facebook page   Details: Program presenter Albert McWilliams, Sr., a licensed insurance adviser in Birmingham since 2001, will share tips for the public on how to maneuver the complex world of Medicare. For more information, contact the Central Library’s Business, Science and Technology Department by email at cenbusiness@bham.lib.al.us or call (205) 226-3640.  Although patrons are not able to access our buildings, the Birmingham Public Library continues to offer resources and programs to patrons using a variety of virtual platforms.  Birmingham, Ala. -  If you are interested in taking part in an online learning experience that will help you gain a better understanding of your...