Birmingham Public Library Blog

    BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Birmingham Zoo and the Birmingham Public Library are pleased to announce the launch of the Birmingham Library Zoo Family Pass Program!   This inspiring collaboration is an adventure-packed program encouraging children PreK through 8th grade to read, learn about animals, and experience them in real life during a fun-filled day at their Zoo. “This program is truly a union of our missions,” according to Chris Pfefferkorn, Birmingham Zoo President & CEO. “The goal of the program is to foster lifelong learning, cultural enrichment, enjoyment, and passion to conserve the natural world. This collaboration between Birmingham Public Library and the Birmingham Zoo team has resulted in an adventure that’s really engaging and exciting for kids – and their families!”  Children begin the program by checking out a Birmingham Zoo Family Pass backpack from one of the four participating Birmingham Public Library locations: Avondale , Central, Five Po...

  The Central Library has a Local Authors Collection on the first floor. The Birmingham Public Library proudly introduces our long-awaited Local Authors Collection. This collection will be located on the first floor of the main library downtown (Central, 2100 Park Place).  The Birmingham Public Library gets requests from local authors to have their book added to the library collection on a regular basis. The Local Authors Collection is dedicated to local, often self-published titles, many of which have not been through the typical editing and review process (typically a no-no for libraries).  In an effort to encourage and support local authors toward what for many is a lifelong dream, the Birmingham Library provides the Local Authors Collection as an avenue toward full library inclusion. Patrons are encouraged to review these titles. Any reviews can be submitted to any library personnel. Optionally, the review can be sent via email to localauthorsbpl@cobpl.org.  Wh...

Find out how this graphic novel got its title. Photo by Cheyenne Trujillo. As of July 2, 2021 , only 14 out of the 240 registered Korean survivors of Japan's military sexual slavery are still alive. This number diminishes even further when compared to the estimated 100,000—200,000 Korean girls and women kidnapped to serve as comfort women. To start, the term comfort women is a misnomer.

  The Central Library is closing July 13 and July 15 at 2 p.m. for the The World Games .  Please visit one of BPL's other locations  that remain open.   Enjoy the games and welcome to Birmingham!  #TWG2022

  Avondale Regional Library will be closed from Tuesday, July 5 through Sunday, July 17 due to  the 2022 World Games . This is an update from the previously planned Avondale Library temporary closure start date of July 7.  The World Games archery sporting competition will take place in Avondale Park adjacent to Avondale Library.  During the World Games, the Birmingham Public Library (BPL) is extending service days at North Avondale Branch Library  Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., to accommodate patrons.   Also, BPL says the Springville Road Regional Library and Five Points West Regional Library will be closed on Saturday, July 9, due to the World Games.  The Central Library in downtown Birmingham will remain open on Saturday, July 9, during regular 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. hours.

  Have you ever looked at a handmade scarf or hat or blanket and wished you could make something like that?   Ever wanted to find a new hobby to give your hands something to do? Or do you desire to gain a new skill simply for the sake of learning?  The Five Points West Regional Library will be hosting a crochet class on Saturday, July 23rd, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the large meeting room. Our class will teach participants about the fundamentals of crocheting, including an overview of materials, terminology, and some of the basic stitches used in crochet.  In addition, we will teach participants how to make a simple dishcloth that they will be able to take home with them.  No experience is necessary. Materials will be provided, but students are always welcome to bring their own supplies if they wish. The new crochet class comes as Five Points West Library recently announced the formation of the Five Points Yarn Club that debuts on Friday, July 15, whi...

Get a Summer Reading Program booklet at any BPL location. Photo by Cheyenne Trujillo. We finished one month of Oceans of Possibilities , and we are on to the next one! This week, there are trackable sea turtle bracelet crafts at Five Points West Regional Branch Library and East Ensley Branch Library. Woodlawn Branch Library is also hosting a butterfly and hummingbird garden presentation. 

  Webtoon readers rejoice! We are finally starting to get some of our stories in print.  While webtoons are uber convenient and portable, sometimes you find a title that you want to have a physical copy of. Lore Olympus is that webtoon for me.  Lore Olympus: Vol.1, a graphic novel available for checkout at some Birmingham Public Library and Jefferson County Library Cooperative locations ,  collects the first 25 chapters of the insanely popular webtoon by Rachel Smythe. And luckily, there are more volumes on the way!  I was drawn to this webtoon because I have always been interested in mythology from around the world.  Lore Olympus focuses on a major story in Greek mythology: the love story of Hades and Persephone. Hades, the brother of Zeus, falls in love with Persephone is determined to be with her.  In order to possess Persephone, he kidnaps her and takes her to the underworld. Fortunately, in the classic myth, Persephone eventually falls in l...