Birmingham Public Library Blog

James Earl Jones narrates this award-winning documentary highlighting some of the greatest players in the history of Negro League baseball . This film showcases the players’ technical expertise and shows great sensitivity to the subject matter. Included are interviews with Cool Papa Bell, Jimmie Crutchfield, and Ted Page. Wednesday, June 2, noon. Feed your body and mind at BPL's Brown Bag Lunch programs . You bring the lunch and we'll bring the drinks. Wednesdays at noon in the Arrington Auditorium located on the 4th floor of the Linn-Henley Research Library, 2100 Park Place.

Hey kids are you looking for something fun to do this summer? Make a Splash … Read! Dive into our 2010 summer reading program starting June 1. By the way, Summer reading is not just for kids anymore it is for everyone even adults. Take a look.

Teens and Tweens are invited to come make waves at Birmingham Public Library this summer by participating in BPL's 2010 Teen Summer Reading Program.

We are so excited to tell you about the Grand Slam Summer Adult Reading Program which begins June 1- August 21, 2010 ! The program coincides with our Pride and Passion Exhibit and the 100 th Anniversary of Rickwood Field . We have so many fun and educational programs happening at local libraries this summer. We also have a number of performances that will take place at libraries during the summer. You just have to visit to find out everything we have to offer. Grab some popcorn, candy, an ice cold coke, and let's get ready to hit it out of the ball park! In order to participate, adults will be asked to complete an entry form, including name, contact information (phone or e-mail) and the name of the book you read. If you would like, you may also keep a log of the books you read during the summer. Libraries will have weekly drawings for small prizes. In August, a drawing will be held at Central Library for at least three big prizes and other additional prizes. The entire Birmingha...

Like Candace Bushnell , Carl Hiaasen , and James Patterson before him, John Grisham has loaned his talent to teen literature; well, preteen to be exact. Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer is a tame legal thriller written for the 9-12 age range, but teens and even adults may enjoy this story about a 13-year-old boy who is fascinated with the legal system. His parents are divorce and real estate attorneys, and his dog is named Judge. Boone is the go-to junior legal eagle for the neighborhood children, giving advice and comfort on legal issues ranging from custody arrangements, foreclosures, and how to get a dog back from the pound. But then a woman is strangled and the only suspect is her husband, who claims he's innocent. (Yeah, they all do, but some actually are.) When an illegal immigrant who is afraid to come forward provides Boone with some evidence that might clear the husband, Boone has an ethical dilemma on his hands. Will Boone solve the case? Just as sure as a witness raises hi...

Have you seen campaign signs throughout the city? Watched a few campaign ads? Found a campaign flier tucked under your windshield wiper? Attended a political rally? 2010 Alabama election season is here! You might have numerous questions. When is the election? Who are the candidates? Where do I register to vote? Birmingham Public Library has the answers to all these questions and more at the 2010 Alabama Elections subject guide. Be an informed citizen, and cast your vote in the primaries on June 1, 2010! Still need more help? Contact the social sciences department at 205-226-3640, or fill out our Ask a Librarian form.

In the March 22, 2010 issue, Publishers Weekly provided a list of the bestselling hardcover books in 2009 and ranked them by total number of sales. The top selling fiction and nonfiction titles, respectively, were The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown and Going Rogue: An American Life by Sarah Palin. Months have passed, so why report this information now? Summer is around the corner and this gives you an opportunity to check out some bestselling titles you may have missed. Instead of providing the entire list, I am listing the Top 10 nonfiction titles that fall into the subject areas for the Arts, Literature & Sports Department . I think it's interesting to note that 7 of the 10 titles are biography/memoir. The Yankee Years / Joe Torre Open / Andre Agassi Time of My Life / Patrick Swayze Always Looking Up: The Adventures of an Incurable Optimist / Michael J. Fox Where Men Win Glory: The Odyssey of Pat Tillman / Jon Krakauer Born to Run / Christopher McDougall The Book of Ba...

On Monday, April 12, 2010, the public libraries of Jefferson County , including Birmingham Public Library locations, recorded "a typical day" by taking snapshots. The video above displays some of the photographs. As you can see, people visit our libraries for many purposes - to check out a book, video, or audio-book; to find information or do research; to use a library computer; or to attend a cultural event or program, to name a few. Want to see more? Click here to see the over 200 photos taken on our "Snapshot Day." or Click here to see all of Birmingham Public Library's Flickr photographs .(Check our Flickr page often as we add photographs almost daily)