Birmingham Public Library Blog

Highlighting transgender accomplishments and history. Graphic design by Cheyenne Trujillo. Today (Thursday, March 31) is the International Transgender Day of Visibility . People across the world are celebrating genderqueer identities and raising awareness of transgender issues. Join in on the celebration with these 10 books offering different perspectives from the transgender and gender-diverse community! 

  Happy April Fools! Flyer design by Lisa Mitchell. What:  Bards & Brews Poetry Slam When:  Thursday, March 31, 2022, 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Where:   Cahaba Brewing Co ., 4500 5th Avenue South, Birmingham, AL, 35222 Details:  10 talented spoken word artists will compete for $350 in cash prizes ($200 1st place, $100 2nd, $50) in the Birmingham Public Library's second Bards & Brews poetry slam of 2022. On-site registration begins at 6:30 p.m. and poetry begins to flow at 7:00 p.m. $5 registration fee required for participating poets. Free admission. Must be 18 to enter and 21 or older to drink beer at Cahaba Brewing Co.   Bards & Brews is sponsored by the Alabama State Council on the Arts . Birmingham, Ala. -  Have you ever been to a spoken word poetry slam? Join us at Cahaba Brewing Co . from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 31, for the  Birmingham Public Library ’s second Bards & Brews  Poetry Slam of 2022.  The slam...

"Prayer Warriors" was created by renowned Birmingham artist Steve Skipper and depicts Alabama and Auburn football players praying after the classic 1994 Iron Bowl at Legion Field  won by the Tide .  Birmingham, Ala. -  A framed drawing of a classic 1994 Iron Bowl scene of Alabama and Auburn football players praying together is among items being auctioned of at  A Novel Tasting ,  the Birmingham Public Library's April 7 fundraiser. This inaugural event being held between 6:00 and 8:30 p.m. at the Central Library will feature a tasting of craft beers, wine, and spirits. It features  cryptic corks , a  silent auction , a VIP reception, catered food and live music.  "Prayer Warriors" was created by  Steve Skipper,  a Birmingham artist who has drawn historic paintings that have been sold across the globe. The painting that will be auctioned off is a print about 21 inches by 26 inches. It depicts players including Alabama quarterback Jay Barke...

  Smithfield Branch Library is among BPL locations participating in the City of Birmingham Division of Youth Services (DYS) Page Pals program.  Page Pals is a reading-based incentive program hosted by DYS to help produce more effective student readers both inside and outside the classroom. Smithfield Library, #1 8th Court West, holds its Page Pals  program from 4:00-5:00 p.m. on Mondays, said Branch Manager Sequoria Lewis.  Smithfield is among several BPL locations holding free activities for Birmingham City Schools students off for Spring Break this week.  For more information about Smithfield Library, call 205-324-8428 or email branch manager Sequoria Lewis at Sequoria.lewis@cobpl.org.  By Sequoria Lewis|Branch Manager Smithfield Library

  Silent Auction Item: Dinner for 4 at Perry's Steakhouse valued at $300. World Games 2022 Bottle of Redmont Vodka signed by Charles Barkley .   Curious about the silent auction that will be featured in the Birmingham Public Library 's spring fundraising event on April 7?   Look no further! Here's a peek into the many fabulous items that await lucky guests at A Novel Tasting.  Who will place the first bid? Please purchase your ticket today by clicking at this link . We need your help in making this evening a success.  Money raised from A Novel Tasting will go directly to library programs such as Bards & Brews , the BPL Bookmobile , Local Authors Expo , and Summer Reading , as well as benefit all 18 BPL locations across Birmingham.  We hope to see you there! Among Silent Auction Items up for bid at A Novel Tasting Pen and ink drawing of the historic Birmingham Terminal Station .  __________________________________________________________...

BPL has fun activities for Birmingham students to enjoy during Spring Break.  This week is Spring Break for Birmingham area students, and several Birmingham Public Library (BPL)  locations   are helping them have fun while off from school.   Here are just a few of the awesome fun events for kids and teens taking place between today, Monday, March 28, and Friday, April 1: Central Library , 2100 Park Place Friday, April 1 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Open Lab Our Central Library lab will be open for students to show off their creativity. Students will have access to either music lab equipment/programming or STEAM programming, including coding, circuits, 3D printing, or craft programs.  Five Points West Regional Library , 4812 Avenue W Monday, March 28 through Friday, April 1 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Spring Break Craft Break School-aged children are invited to drop by West End Library between 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. to make a craft during Spring Break week. Try a d...

  Birmingham poet Jamil Glenn is founder of Momentous Inc. Momentous Inc, a nonprofit founded by Bards & Brews poet and Birmingham photographer Jamil Glenn, is hosting its first Momentous Family History Day at the Central Library 's Research Building this Saturday, March 26.  This celebration of family will begin at 2:30 p.m. in the Arrington Auditorium, 4th Floor, 2100 Park Place next to Linn-Park. Enter  in the Central Library's East Building, go to the 3rd Floor and take the crosswalk to the Research Library. Then take the elevator to the fourth floor.  "The objective for this event is to learn about Momentous, re-educate and teach the community about the importance of family," said Momentous Founder Jamil Glenn. "It’s a time to come together in love through the art of poetry and empowerment through motivational speaking. You do not want to miss this event!" Glenn founded Momentous Inc in April 2021. to create programs that build accountability in a...

Good news, graphic novel and comic book fans of Birmingham.  The Birmingham Public Library has a new free database just for you: Comics Plus.  This database provides online access to comics and graphics novels. It is comprised of 2 versions: a standard, all-encompassing product, and a product geared toward children and teens. Comics Plus offers readers unlimited access to thousands of digital comics, graphic novels, and manga from popular publishers like ABDO, Andrews McMeel, Archie Comics, BOOM! Studios, Capstone, Dark Horse, Dynamite, Graphic Mundi, Humanoids, IDW, Lerner, Kodansha, TKO Studios, Tokyopop, Valiant, Yen Press, and many more.  There is never a wait to read. All titles are available for unlimited access and simultaneous use. Titles are accessible using a smartphone, tablet, or web browser, and downloadable to multiple devices.  Access is via a valid BPL library card.   When inside one of our 18 BPL locations , staff can provide access- if you...