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    Organization

    Birmingham Public Library

    2100 Park Place
    Birmingham , AL 35203
    (205) 226-3600

    Website: bham.lib.al.us/


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    The Birmingham Public Library was established in 1886 as an adjunct of the city's public schools. John Herbert Phillips, then superintendent of the public school system, set up a library in a room adjoining his office, and this particular library grew over several decades. Finally, in 1913, a public library board was established, and the City of Birmingham assumed responsibility for funding the institution. From humble but hopeful beginnings...

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    The Birmingham Public Library was established in 1886 as an adjunct of the city's public schools. John Herbert Phillips, then superintendent of the public school system, set up a library in a room adjoining his office, and this particular library grew over several decades. Finally, in 1913, a public library board was established, and the City of Birmingham assumed responsibility for funding the institution. From humble but hopeful beginnings in a room not much bigger than a closet, the Birmingham Public Library concluded the 20th century as one of the largest and most well-respected library systems in the southeast. In 1998 holdings amounted to more than a million books and non-book items including audio and video recordings and computer files, more than 2,500 current periodical subscriptions and over 3000 titles in periodical back files, more than a million government documents in paper and microforms, and system-wide access to the Internet in every location. Annual circulation of approximately 1.7 million checkouts is matched by an equal number of materials being used in the libraries and through electronic access. Birmingham Public Library accounts for 46% of the circulation in the Jefferson County Library Cooperative, which posts a combined circulation of almost 3.7 million items checked out annually.

    The mission of the Birmingham Public Library is to provide the highest quality library service to our citizens for life long learning, cultural enrichment and enjoyment.

    Library Facilities

    19 separate locations
    870 hours per week open for business
    368,000 total square feet
    Public spaces for meetings and exhibits
    Systemwide service from all outlets

    Library Holdings

    900,000 cataloged items
    Over 1 million pieces of microfilm
    Over 30,000,000 archival documents (14,000 linear feet)
    400,000 photographs
    Primary materials dating to the 1700s
    More than 100 online databases
    Only public library in the state that is a Patent and Trademark Library
    One of the oldest Federal Depository Libraries, designated in 1895


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    Upcoming Events

    Flow Tactics Teen Poetry Workshop

    Presented by Birmingham Public Library and Real Life Poets at Birmingham Public Library - Central Branch

    January 5-December 7, 2013

    Introduction to Genealogy

    Presented by Birmingham Public Library at Birmingham Public Library - Central Branch

    January 22-November 3, 2013

    Read It Forward: The Watsons Go to Birmingham

    Presented by Birmingham Public Library at Birmingham Public Library - Central Branch

    February 4-May 31, 2013

    Crochet Class

    Presented by Birmingham Public Library at West End Branch Library (BPL)

    February 26-May 28, 2013

    The A, B, C, and D's of Medicare

    Presented by Birmingham Public Library at Springville Road Regional Library (BPL)

    March 14-November 14, 2013
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