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Birmingham Public Library - Central Branch

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 is one of the largest and most well-respected library systems in the southeast. Over the years, it has grown with the population and today serves a society diverse in interests, needs, and age. Scholars and self-learners remain drawn to the unique archival materials, the extensive genealogical materials, and the local and southern history resources, while students and other citizens expect current and broad-based reference information and up-to-date popular materials. The cooperative agreement that BPL shares with the other municipal public libraries in the county greatly increases the number of library materials available to any library member. In fact, the Jefferson County Library Cooperative is a model for how separate governments can work together to provide a public service across city boundaries.

At-a-
Glance

Contact Info

Birmingham Public Library - Central Branch

2100 Park Place
Birmingham, AL 35203

Phone: (205) 226-3600 | Official Website

Admission:
Free

Hours: Monday & Tuesday: 9am-8pm Wednesday - Saturday: 9am-6pm Sunday: 2-6pm
Map

Full map and directions
Accessibility Services

Current Events

04/17/12-
05/25/12

Four Decades: Photography from the University of Montevallo
Birmingham Public Library - Central Branch

08/20/11-
05/26/12

Changing Lives One Mind At A Time Community Chess Class - Saturdays (adults and children welcome)
Birmingham Public Library - Central Branch

Upcoming Events

05/19/12	Word Processing with Open Office Part I Birmingham Public Library - Central Branch Word Processing with Open Office Part I Presented by Birmingham Public Library at Birmingham Public Library - Central Branch May 19, 2012 Come join us in this amazing word processing class at the Birmingham Library!Class Requirements: Experience using a PC and a mouse.
05/21/12	Word Processing with Open Office Part I Birmingham Public Library - Central Branch Word Processing with Open Office Part I Presented by Birmingham Public Library at Birmingham Public Library - Central Branch May 21, 2012 Come join us in this amazing word processing class at the Birmingham Library!Class Requirements: Experience using a PC and a mouse.
05/22/12	Sanspointe Dance Company Presents The Golden Record in a Library Tour Birmingham Public Library - Central Branch Sanspointe Dance Company Presents The Golden Record in a Library Tour Presented by Birmingham Public Library at Birmingham Public Library - Central Branch May 22, 2012 Sanspointe Dance Company will present The Golden Record at three Birmingham Public Libraries between May 21 and May 29. The locations include the Five Points West Regional Library, Central Library, and the Avondale Regional Library. All performances last approximately 20 minutes. The programs are free and open to the public. In August 1977, NASA sent into outer space the phonographic recording The Golden Record. The recording contained sounds and images selected to portray the...
05/22/12	Word Processing with Open Office Part II Birmingham Public Library - Central Branch Word Processing with Open Office Part II Presented by Birmingham Public Library at Birmingham Public Library - Central Branch May 22, 2012 Come join us at the Birmingham Public Library for this wonderful class! Requirements: Word Processing with Open Office Part IContinue to learn how to more effectively use Word Processing features in Open Office
05/23/12	Brown Bag Lunch Program: Can I Get a Grant for That? Strategically Researching, Writing, and Administering Grants Birmingham Public Library - Central Branch Brown Bag Lunch Program: Can I Get a Grant for That? Strategically Researching, Writing, and Administering Grants Presented by Birmingham Public Library at Birmingham Public Library - Central Branch May 23, 2012 Strategic grant writing should begin long before you consult with any foundations, agencies or individual donors and before you actually do any writing at all. Whether you are trying to build capacity, fund a program, or restore a building, there are several steps you should take to make certain your project gets funding and delivers the results you are looking for. Join Kelsey Bates, Assistant Archivist at BPL and former Director of Development at the Chinati Foundation, to find out how to...
05/28/12- 06/10/12	Friends of the Birmingham Public Library Book Sale Birmingham Public Library - Central Branch Friends of the Birmingham Public Library Book Sale Presented by Birmingham Public Library at Birmingham Public Library - Central Branch May 28-June 10, 2012 With several recent donations, the Friends Bookstore is overflowing with inventory. Beginning May 29, the Friends of the Birmingham Public Library (BPL) will host an “in store” summer reading book sale. What better time to show off the recent renovation of the Friends Bookstore and to connect to the successful summer reading initiatives undertaken by the library system? The sale begins the day after Memorial Day and continues through June 10. Shoppers can expect to find 25% off...
05/29/12	Presentations with Open Office Birmingham Public Library - Central Branch Presentations with Open Office Presented by Birmingham Public Library at Birmingham Public Library - Central Branch May 29, 2012 Come join us down at the library for this amazing open office class!!!!Class Requirements: Experience using a PC and a mouse.
05/29/12	Intro. to Genealogy Class Birmingham Public Library - Central Branch Intro. to Genealogy Class Presented by Birmingham Public Library at Birmingham Public Library - Central Branch May 29, 2012 Want to do genealogy research? Come to this class. No registration is required. Go to http://tinyurl.com/genieintro to print out the class handout and bring it with you.
06/02/12	Beyond the Basics Genealogy Workshop—Bring Out Your Dead: Cemeteries in Genealogical Research Birmingham Public Library - Central Branch Beyond the Basics Genealogy Workshop—Bring Out Your Dead: Cemeteries in Genealogical Research Presented by Birmingham Public Library at Birmingham Public Library - Central Branch June 2, 2012 The Birmingham Public Library (BPL) has vast resources to help cultivate the family tree. The library’s Tutwiler Collection of Southern History and Literature at the Central Library has been recognized by Family Tree Magazine as one of the top ten public libraries for digging into your family roots. There are several BPL programs designed to teach people how to begin their do-it-yourself journey of researching family history, including “Beyond the Basics Genealogy...
06/04/12- 07/31/12	Central Library Youth Department Presents Riddle Me This, Riddle Me That Birmingham Public Library - Central Branch Central Library Youth Department Presents Riddle Me This, Riddle Me That Presented by Birmingham Public Library at Birmingham Public Library - Central Branch June 4-July 31, 2012 Throughout the summer the Youth Department will be giving out riddles. Answer them correctly and receive a prize!
06/04/12- 07/31/12	Central Youth Department Twinkle Twinkle Little Bat Birmingham Public Library - Central Branch Central Youth Department Twinkle Twinkle Little Bat Presented by Birmingham Public Library at Birmingham Public Library - Central Branch June 4-July 31, 2012 Come to the Youth Department and create some nonsense poems in honor of Lewis Carroll. We will give a prize to the most entertaining ones!
06/04/12- 07/31/12	Central Library Youth Department Presents Twinkle Twinkle Little Bat Birmingham Public Library - Central Branch Central Library Youth Department Presents Twinkle Twinkle Little Bat Presented by Birmingham Public Library at Birmingham Public Library - Central Branch June 4-July 31, 2012 Come to the Youth Department and create some nonsense poems in honor of Lewis Carroll. A prize will be given for the most entertaining ones.
06/06/12	Brown Bag Lunch Program: Eudora Welty: Exposures and Reflections Birmingham Public Library - Central Branch Brown Bag Lunch Program: Eudora Welty: Exposures and Reflections Presented by Birmingham Public Library at Birmingham Public Library - Central Branch June 6, 2012 In 1936, Eudora Welty was catapulted into the popular American spotlight as one of the century’s great Southern literary voices. However, many Americans to this day do not recognize her body of work as a gifted photographer. The author/photographer claimed the two art forms were parallel activities, with the photography never affecting the product of her pen. Presented to accompany the exhibit Eudora Welty: Exposures and Reflections on display in the Birmingham Public Library gallery,...
06/07/12	Design Your Own Adinkra Symbol Cloth Birmingham Public Library - Central Branch Design Your Own Adinkra Symbol Cloth Presented by Birmingham Public Library at Birmingham Public Library - Central Branch June 7, 2012 Adinkra is a hand-painted fabric made in Ghana. Developed by the Ashanti people, adinkra cloths were traditionally made for royalty to wear at religious ceremonies. Through the years, people have also decorated the cloths to tell a story or to express their thoughts and feelings. Join us as we complete a work of art using adinkra stamps and proverbs to design your very own masterpiece.
06/11/12	Central Youth Department Family Craft Night Birmingham Public Library - Central Branch Central Youth Department Family Craft Night Presented by Birmingham Public Library at Birmingham Public Library - Central Branch June 11, 2012 Families that do crafts together, have fun together. Come to the Youth Department Story Castle and do some fun crafts for the whole family.
06/11/12	Central Library Youth Department Presents Creatures of the Night Birmingham Public Library - Central Branch Central Library Youth Department Presents Creatures of the Night Presented by Birmingham Public Library at Birmingham Public Library - Central Branch June 11, 2012 Explore the unique adaptations of some of native Alabama night creatures from Ruffner Mountain. For preschool age children.
06/12/12	Central Library Youth Department Presents Dream Big Crafts Birmingham Public Library - Central Branch Central Library Youth Department Presents Dream Big Crafts Presented by Birmingham Public Library at Birmingham Public Library - Central Branch June 12, 2012 Come to the Youth Department Story Castle where Ms. Barbara will assist you in making a dream box to save all your dreams in. The event is free but registration is required. For ages 7 and up.
06/13/12	Central Library Youth Department Presents Come See the Stars Shine Birmingham Public Library - Central Branch Central Library Youth Department Presents Come See the Stars Shine Presented by Birmingham Public Library at Birmingham Public Library - Central Branch June 13, 2012 Come to the Youth Department Story Castle and watch some fun movies. Refreshments will be provided.
06/13/12	Brown Bag Lunch Program: Between the Covers: Fools for Love with Storyteller Dolores Hydock Birmingham Public Library - Central Branch Brown Bag Lunch Program: Between the Covers: Fools for Love with Storyteller Dolores Hydock Presented by Birmingham Public Library at Birmingham Public Library - Central Branch June 13, 2012 Between the covers of a history book, between the covers of an artist's portfolio, and under the covers of a secret marriage—there are amazing true stories about some famous and not-so-famous people who were fools for love in the early 1800s. Dolores Hydock shares these stories that are part royal scandal, part true romance, part fun facts from history, part R-rated (in a Fine Art kind of way), and part art appreciation for amateurs, with a shout-out to Queen Elizabeth, Jane Austen,...
06/13/12	Central Library Youth Department Presents Come See the Stars Shine Birmingham Public Library - Central Branch Central Library Youth Department Presents Come See the Stars Shine Presented by Birmingham Public Library at Birmingham Public Library - Central Branch June 13, 2012 Come to the Youth Department Story Castle and watch some fun movies. Refreshments will be provided.
06/14/12	Central Library Youth Department Presents Mad Hatter Tea Party Birmingham Public Library - Central Branch Central Library Youth Department Presents Mad Hatter Tea Party Presented by Birmingham Public Library at Birmingham Public Library - Central Branch June 14, 2012 Don't be late for a very important date! You are cordially invited to one of the silliest tea parties you have ever been invited to and where curious things are bound to happen. Be sure to wear your maddest, most outrageous hat for an afternoon of games, tea, and tasty treats!
06/18/12	Central Library Youth Department Presents Fire Safety Birmingham Public Library - Central Branch Central Library Youth Department Presents Fire Safety Presented by Birmingham Public Library at Birmingham Public Library - Central Branch June 18, 2012 Come visit the Story Caste to learn safety tips from the Birmingham Fire and Rescue Department. For preschool age children.
06/19/12	Central Library Youth Department Presents Night Sky Wonders Birmingham Public Library - Central Branch Central Library Youth Department Presents Night Sky Wonders Presented by Birmingham Public Library at Birmingham Public Library - Central Branch June 19, 2012 Explore our solar system's night sky with the Star Dome Planetarium from the McWane Center. The event is free but registration is required. Ages 7 and up. Central Library, Arrington Auditorium.
06/21/12	Central Library Youth Department Presents Teen Murder Mystery Birmingham Public Library - Central Branch Central Library Youth Department Presents Teen Murder Mystery Presented by Birmingham Public Library at Birmingham Public Library - Central Branch June 21, 2012 There has been a murder in the library! Did you do it, or was it your neighbor or friend? Unravel the mystery with the clues left behind. It is up to you to solve the crime and bring the murderer to justice! Registration is required.
06/22/12	Central Library Youth Department Presents Teen Tailgate Party Birmingham Public Library - Central Branch Central Library Youth Department Presents Teen Tailgate Party Presented by Birmingham Public Library at Birmingham Public Library - Central Branch June 22, 2012 Teens who have completed Cotchery Reading Program are invited to a special tailgate party at the library. This program includes lots of food, fun, and activities.
06/25/12	Central Library Youth Department Presents Clowning Around with Ronald McDonald Birmingham Public Library - Central Branch Central Library Youth Department Presents Clowning Around with Ronald McDonald Presented by Birmingham Public Library at Birmingham Public Library - Central Branch June 25, 2012 Preschoolers are invited to the Central Library Youth Department's Story Castle to meet Ronald McDonald.
06/25/12	Birmingham Bound: Writers and Writing from the Birmingham Public Library Archives Presents Rachel Swarns Birmingham Public Library - Central Branch Birmingham Bound: Writers and Writing from the Birmingham Public Library Archives Presents Rachel Swarns Presented by Birmingham Public Library at Birmingham Public Library - Central Branch June 25, 2012 New York Times correspondent Rachel Swarns will discuss her book American Tapestry. This family saga is a remarkable, quintessentially American story—a journey from slavery to the White House in five generations. Yet, until now, little has been reported on the First Lady's roots. Using the collections of the Birmingham Public Library Archives and many other sources, American Tapestry traces the complex and fascinating tale of Michelle Obama's ancestors, a history that the First Lady did not...
06/26/12	Central Library Youth Department Presents Dream Big Crafts Birmingham Public Library - Central Branch Central Library Youth Department Presents Dream Big Crafts Presented by Birmingham Public Library at Birmingham Public Library - Central Branch June 26, 2012 Come join us in the Youth Department's Story Castle as we explore Alice's Wonderland through fun crafts with Ms. Cheryl. The event is free but registration is required. For ages 7 and up.
06/26/12	Intro. to Genealogy Class Birmingham Public Library - Central Branch Intro. to Genealogy Class Presented by Birmingham Public Library at Birmingham Public Library - Central Branch June 26, 2012 Want to do genealogy research? Come to this class. No registration is required. Go to http://tinyurl.com/genieintro to print out the class handout and bring it with you.
06/27/12	Central Library Youth Department Presents Come See the Stars Shine Birmingham Public Library - Central Branch Central Library Youth Department Presents Come See the Stars Shine Presented by Birmingham Public Library at Birmingham Public Library - Central Branch June 27, 2012 Have nothing to do? Come to the Youth Department Story Castle and watch some fun movies. Refreshments will be provided.
06/28/12	Central Library Youth Department Presents Hoop Dancing for Fitness Birmingham Public Library - Central Branch Central Library Youth Department Presents Hoop Dancing for Fitness Presented by Birmingham Public Library at Birmingham Public Library - Central Branch June 28, 2012 You're familiar with the hula hoop, but have you ever heard of the dance hoop? Learn how to move with your hoop to your favorite music and pick up the newest dance moves along with some cool tricks. You'll definitely stand out in a crowd with your hoop after this session with Hoop for Fitness.
07/02/12	Central Youth Department Presents Light Up the Night Story Time Birmingham Public Library - Central Branch Central Youth Department Presents Light Up the Night Story Time Presented by Birmingham Public Library at Birmingham Public Library - Central Branch July 2, 2012 Come to our preschool story time and light up the night with fireworks with Mr Vincent.
07/03/12	Central Library Youth Department Presents Dream Big Crafts Birmingham Public Library - Central Branch Central Library Youth Department Presents Dream Big Crafts Presented by Birmingham Public Library at Birmingham Public Library - Central Branch July 3, 2012 Come visit the Story Caste and dream up some fun crafts with Mr. Vincent. The event is free but registration is required. For ages 7 and up.
07/05/12	iPad Experience Birmingham Public Library - Central Branch iPad Experience Presented by Birmingham Public Library at Birmingham Public Library - Central Branch July 5, 2012 Have you been itching to get your hands on a new iPad? Join us for an interactive iPad experience. Everyone will have the opportunity to play with an iPad and learn how to download apps and ebooks through overdrive. You will also learn how to create and use QR Codes.
07/09/12	Bunny Dreams Story Time Birmingham Public Library - Central Branch Bunny Dreams Story Time Presented by Birmingham Public Library at Birmingham Public Library - Central Branch July 9, 2012 Preschoolers are invited to jump, hop, and sing their way through bunny dreams with Ms. Barbara.
07/09/12	Family Video Night Birmingham Public Library - Central Branch Family Video Night Presented by Birmingham Public Library at Birmingham Public Library - Central Branch July 9, 2012 Families that do video games together, have fun together. Come to the Youth Department Story Castle and play some fun video games for the whole family!
07/09/12	Central Library Youth Department Presents Family Video Night Birmingham Public Library - Central Branch Central Library Youth Department Presents Family Video Night Presented by Birmingham Public Library at Birmingham Public Library - Central Branch July 9, 2012 Families that play video games together, have fun together. Come to the Youth Department Story Castle and play some fun video games suitable for the whole family.
07/10/12	Central Library Youth Department Presents Creatures of the Night Birmingham Public Library - Central Branch Central Library Youth Department Presents Creatures of the Night Presented by Birmingham Public Library at Birmingham Public Library - Central Branch July 10, 2012 Join the Alabama 4-H Center as they take a journey into the evening and introduce some of the animals that stir while we sleep. Whoooooo will be there? Hopefully you! The event will be held in the Arrington Auditorium. For ages 7 and up.
07/11/12	Central Library Youth Department Presents Come See the Stars Shine Birmingham Public Library - Central Branch Central Library Youth Department Presents Come See the Stars Shine Presented by Birmingham Public Library at Birmingham Public Library - Central Branch July 11, 2012 Want to take a break from the outside heat? Come to the Youth Department Story Castle and watch some fun movies. Refreshments will be provided.
07/12/12	Own the Night by Eating Right Birmingham Public Library - Central Branch Own the Night by Eating Right Presented by Birmingham Public Library at Birmingham Public Library - Central Branch July 12, 2012 Join Chef “E” as she presents an interactive cooking and tasting session featuring dishes that are healthy and fun to make. Registration Required.
07/16/12	Animal Story Time with Mr. Vincent Will Have You Going Batty Birmingham Public Library - Central Branch Animal Story Time with Mr. Vincent Will Have You Going Batty Presented by Birmingham Public Library at Birmingham Public Library - Central Branch July 16, 2012 Let's go batty during animal story time with Mr. Vincent!
07/17/12	Central Youth Department Presents This Magic Moment! Birmingham Public Library - Central Branch Central Youth Department Presents This Magic Moment! Presented by Birmingham Public Library at Birmingham Public Library - Central Branch July 17, 2012 Oh the places you'll go, the stories you'll hear, and the magic you'll see when Larry Moore is near. Join Magic Man Larry for an afternoon of stories and tricks that are bound to leave you dreaming of Moore. Abracadabra, hocus pocus, presto, voila.
07/23/12	Central Library Youth Department Presents Dream Big with Mr. Mac and Friends Birmingham Public Library - Central Branch Central Library Youth Department Presents Dream Big with Mr. Mac and Friends Presented by Birmingham Public Library at Birmingham Public Library - Central Branch July 23, 2012 Come and celebrate the end of the summer reading program with a special party featuring stories and songs with our own Mr. Mac. Refreshments will be provided. The event will be held in the Arrington Auditorium.
07/30/12	Celebrate Harry's Birthday with a Harry Potter Film Festival Birmingham Public Library - Central Branch Celebrate Harry's Birthday with a Harry Potter Film Festival Presented by Birmingham Public Library at Birmingham Public Library - Central Branch July 30, 2012 In celebration of Harry's birthday, come to our Harry Potter film festival in the Story Castle. Refreshments will be provided.
07/31/12	Celebrate Harry's Birthday with a Harry Potter Film Festival Birmingham Public Library - Central Branch Celebrate Harry's Birthday with a Harry Potter Film Festival Presented by Birmingham Public Library at Birmingham Public Library - Central Branch July 31, 2012 In celebration of Harry's birthday, come to our Harry Potter film festival in the Story Castle. Refreshments will be provided.
07/31/12	Intro. to Genealogy Class Birmingham Public Library - Central Branch Intro. to Genealogy Class Presented by Birmingham Public Library at Birmingham Public Library - Central Branch July 31, 2012 Want to do genealogy research? Come to this class. No registration is required. Go to http://tinyurl.com/genieintro to print out the class handout and bring it with you.
08/04/12	Beyond the Basics Genealogy Workshop—Getting the Good Dirt: Land Records in Genealogical Research Birmingham Public Library - Central Branch Beyond the Basics Genealogy Workshop—Getting the Good Dirt: Land Records in Genealogical Research Presented by Birmingham Public Library at Birmingham Public Library - Central Branch August 4, 2012 The Birmingham Public Library (BPL) has vast resources to help cultivate the family tree. The library’s Tutwiler Collection of Southern History and Literature at the Central Library has been recognized by Family Tree Magazine as one of the top ten public libraries for digging into your family roots. There are several BPL programs designed to teach people how to begin their do-it-yourself journey of researching family history, including “Beyond the Basics Genealogy...
09/15/12	Beyond the Basics Genealogy Workshop—It's a Big Web Out There: Sites & Strategies for Internet Genealogy Birmingham Public Library - Central Branch Beyond the Basics Genealogy Workshop—It's a Big Web Out There: Sites & Strategies for Internet Genealogy Presented by Birmingham Public Library at Birmingham Public Library - Central Branch September 15, 2012 The Birmingham Public Library (BPL) has vast resources to help cultivate the family tree. The library’s Tutwiler Collection of Southern History and Literature at the Central Library has been recognized by Family Tree Magazine as one of the top ten public libraries for digging into your family roots. There are several BPL programs designed to teach people how to begin their do-it-yourself journey of researching family history, including “Beyond the Basics Genealogy...
09/25/12	Intro. to Genealogy Class Birmingham Public Library - Central Branch Intro. to Genealogy Class Presented by Birmingham Public Library at Birmingham Public Library - Central Branch September 25, 2012 Want to do genealogy research? Come to this class. No registration is required. Go to http://tinyurl.com/genieintro to print out the class handout and bring it with you.
09/30/12	Intro. to Genealogy Class Birmingham Public Library - Central Branch Intro. to Genealogy Class Presented by Birmingham Public Library at Birmingham Public Library - Central Branch September 30, 2012 Want to learn how to do genealogical research? Come to this class. No registration is required. Go to http://tinyurl.com/genieintro to print out the class handout and bring it with you.
10/30/12	Intro. to Genealogy Class Birmingham Public Library - Central Branch Intro. to Genealogy Class Presented by Birmingham Public Library at Birmingham Public Library - Central Branch October 30, 2012 Want to learn how to do genealogical research? Come to this class. No registration is required. Go to http://tinyurl.com/genieintro to print out the class handout and bring it with you.
11/04/12	Introduction to Genealogy Class Birmingham Public Library - Central Branch Introduction to Genealogy Class Presented by Birmingham Public Library at Birmingham Public Library - Central Branch November 4, 2012 Want to learn how to do genealogical research? Come to this class. No registration is required. Go to http://tinyurl.com/genieintro to print out the class handout and bring it with you.

NOTE: We do our best to ensure all information is accurate. However, it's a good idea to visit the website or call the venue to verify the information.

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