Avondale Library will host a discussion of Alice Walker's The Color Purple on Tuesday, February 26, at 6:30 p.m., as part of the branch's monthly Adaptations program. The program puts a cinematic twist to books.

On a Sunday afternoon, library patrons watch the film version of a book as part of a screening party. A few weeks later on a Tuesday night, the audience discusses the book and film versions of the book. The latter discussion is called "The AfterParty.'' The screening party for The Color Purple was held on Sunday, February 10.

"People clapped at the end. Some people were crying. It's a very emotional film,'' said Ellen Shade, circulation manager at Avondale. "When I thanked them for coming, they said, 'No, thank you.' "

The February 26 event is sure to have a similar audience response.

"We have some patrons who come for just the movies, we have some who come for both and we have others who come for just the discussion,'' said Shade. "We keep copies of the book at the front desk to check out and read so it's fresh on people's minds after seeing the movie.''

This is the third year for the program.

"In addition to providing access to literature, libraries are places where people come together to share an experience,'' said Shade. "You can come to share what you love, learn from a book that touches you or learn from a film that speaks to you.''

For more information about Adaptations, contact Shade at 205-226-4000. Birmingham365 has the Adaptations program dates and titles listed through May 2013.

Submitted by Chanda Temple
Director of Public Relations

Playing with your baby is not only important for bonding, but is also an educational experience for your child. We are providing a special time and place for you to come to the library and spend one-on-one time playing with your child. 1-2-3 Play with Me, a five-week program, is for children birth through age 3 and their parents/caregivers. We will have toys, books, and art activities just for you and your child. Also, we have invited special guests from the community to join us each week to answer your questions about parenting.

Join the Central Library Youth Department every Tuesday, February 12-March 12, 2013, from 10:00-11:30 a.m.

Registration is encouraged. Call 226-3655 for more information.

Visit Birmingham365 for the 1-2-3 Play with Me schedule for these BPL branches: Springville Road, Avondale, Five Points West, and North Birmingham.




Submitted by Katie Williams
Youth Department
Central Library

Next week marks the 137th anniversary of the Westminster Kennel Club's Annual All-Breed Dog Show. This year's show will air on television on Monday and Tuesday, February 11th-12th. For more information on the show and the television schedule, check the Club's website:

Westminster Kennel Club

Tune in and root for the pooch of your choice!

And for more information on dogs, don't forget to visit your local public library. If you're thinking of adopting a dog or choosing any other kind of pet, the library has numerous books and videos that can assist you. Let us help you pick the right pet for you!

Mary Anne Ellis
Southern History
Central Library

Black History Month 2013 recognizes two important anniversaries in the evolution of civil rights in the United States. The theme this year is “At the Crossroads of Freedom and Equality: The Emancipation Proclamation and the March on Washington.”

Issued on January 1, 1863, Lincoln’s renowned proclamation reads in part:

That on the first day of January, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, all persons held as slaves within any State or designated part of a State, the people whereof shall then be in rebellion against the United States, shall be then, thenceforward, and forever free; and the Executive Government of the United States, including the military and naval authority thereof, will recognize and maintain the freedom of such persons, and will do no act or acts to repress such persons, or any of them, in any efforts they may make for their actual freedom.
According to the Oxford English Dictionary (OED), a proclamation is “a formal order issued by a monarch or other legal authority, and made public.” In reading the above excerpt, one can certainly draw the conclusion that President Lincoln met the OED’s criteria for a proclamation; it is indeed dry, formal, official, and reveals none of the soul searching that went into its writing.

Compare Lincoln’s document with the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. spoken August 28, 1963 during the March on Washington:

I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight, and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together.

This is our hope. This is the faith with which I return to the South. With this faith we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope. With this faith we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. With this faith we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day. 
Dr. King’s speech is peppered with biblical allusions and poetic constructions. Whereas Lincoln’s proclamation is a law for American courts and legislative bodies, King’s speech is a dream for mankind. But the pursuit of freedom demands both rousing speeches and dry laws. What all of us sometime forget is that for dreams to remain alive, students and citizens of all ages must study the past thoughts, deeds, and words of leaders like President Lincoln and Dr. King.

For those interested in pursuing such an endeavor, the Birmingham Public Library can provide a wealth of resources. We have books, DVDs, audiobooks, and computer databases that focus on African-Americans and African-American history. If you are not sure where to begin your study, you may want to get some direction by consulting our subject guide for African American History Month. Here you can find frequently requested African-American book titles, as well as extensive annotated lists of reference books, databases, magazines and newspapers, and internet websites.

The library’s databases deserve special mention. You don’t even have to leave your house to use them. Just grab your library card and visit www.bplonline.org, and click on “Databases.” Notice under “Subject List,”on the left hand side of the page, the term “African American.” Of the three databases included, my favorite is African-American History Online. The developers of this database have put together an impressive array of information that includes biographies, timelines, and articles covering the African-American experience. On the front page is a heading for Topic Centers that groups the databases’ material according to important events and topics, primary sources, and key people. For instance, “1955-1971 Civil Rights Protest and Progress” will lead you to a piece about the Birmingham demonstrations, Malcolm X, and a copy of Dr. King’s "I Have a Dream" speech.

This database even has a tab, Images and Videos, perfect for homework assignments. (I don’t have homework assignments and this is still my favorite feature). For a sampling, click on “Go to Video Gallery” on the right hand side of the front screen. On the next screen you can watch a video of Angela Davis being interviewed in Moscow, African American soldiers drilling for combat during W.W.II, or Dr. King marching with demonstrators in Selma, Alabama.

But don’t limit your search to just one of the library’s databases. Many figures from African American history can also be found by clicking on “Biography” in the “Subject List” of databases. Biography in Context has more than one million historic and current figures. There is also a featured video section on this database. This month in honor of Black History Month, you can watch a video highlighting the artists and writers of the Harlem Renaissance.

So, in February (and all year long), log on to www.bplonline.org to learn more about African-American history. Keep the dreams of those who came before us alive and growing by reading their words and viewing their deeds.

Submitted by David Ryan
Business, Science and Technology Department
Central Library

Teens, get your poetry on at the Flow Tactics Teen Open Mic every 3rd Saturday from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.at the YMCA Youth Center, 2400 7th Avenue North (near Phillips Academy). Admission is free. The sessions are for high school students only. To sign up to perform or for more information, e-mail johnpaul@reallifepoets.org. This month's program is scheduled for Saturday, February 16.

Flow Tactics is sponsored by The Real Life Poets, the Mayor's Office Division of Youth Services, YMCA Youth Center, and the WORD UP! Student Poetry Slam Committee of the Jefferson County Library Cooperative. WORD UP! is an annual poetry slam for Jefferson County high school students hosted by the Birmingham Public Library.

An all-around fantastic time was had last Saturday at BPL's Local Authors Expo. Many thanks go to the Friends of the Birmingham Public Library for once again sponsoring this event, and to all of the authors who attended. Several participants have blogged about the day's events, including Amy Leigh Strickland and Steve Gierhart at Ardent Writer Press. Many photos of the Expo can be found on the BPL Flickr page. We're already looking forward to making next year's Expo even bigger and better than this one!

Enjoy an excerpt from Sixth Avenue Baptist Church's Annual Black History Concert, directed by Denna Wilkins. Wednesday, February 13, noon. This Brown Bag Lunch Program is hosted by the Five Points West Regional Library. [Note: The title of the article in the BPL newsletter erroneously shows this event taking place at Springville Road Library. The concert will be performed at Five Points West Library. Sorry for the mistake.]

To commemorate the 50th anniversary of Birmingham's civil rights struggle, the Birmingham Public Library is sponsoring the Year of Birmingham, a 12-month series of lectures, documentary films, performances and panel discussions.

Feed your body and mind at BPL's Brown Bag Lunch programs. You bring the lunch and we'll bring the drinks. For more information call 226-3604 or visit www.bplonline.org.

In honor of Birmingham's celebration of 50 Years Forward, Birmingham Public Library is sponsoring Read It Forward - The Watsons Go to Birmingham - 1963. Birmingham Public Library will have copies of the book available the Central Library and at each branch location. You may pick up a copy, read it, post a comment on the website and then pass it on to a friend to read.  

The Watsons Go to Birmingham is a story of a family whose roots are in Birmingham but live in Flint, Michigan. In the summer of 1963 they travel to Birmingham to visit Grandma. They witness first hand the dramatic events that changed the course of American and world history. The story is told by ten-year-old Kenny. His point of view makes for an emotionally satisfying reading experience. A good read for all ages, especially appropriate for families. The video below is a short introduction to the story. Watch it now and visit the library to get a copy for yourself.


 
"Read It Forward” is a special project of the Birmingham Public Library. This community-wide reading program is designed to encourage reading throughout the City of Birmingham. The Read It Forward concept is based on the book Pay it Forward by Catherine Ryan Hyde, which is a story about an eighth grader who decides to change the world by doing a good deed for someone and then asks that person to "pay it forward" by doing the same for others.

There are a multitude of authors who write historical fiction romance, but sometimes it can be difficult sorting through them to find the best writers. Stephanie Laurens is a renowned historical fiction romance author who encompasses mystery, drama, and intrigue in most of her writings. The Jefferson County Library Cooperative downloadable collection has a large number of ebook/audiobooks written by author Stephanie Laurens available for checkout.

Laurens is well known for her series such as the Cynster and Bastion Club novels, as well as her single novellas and regency novels. One of Laurens' most popular series is the Black Cobra Quartet. This popular series is full of spellbinding and captivating intrigue and mystery. This top-rated series centers around four top officers of the British Crown fighting against a deadly foe known as the Black Cobra. There are many mindboggling twists and turns that are exciting and fascinating and will keep you mesmerized though out.

Although we have many titles by Stephanie Laurens, there are many other authors who write excellent historical fiction romance available in our downloadable collection. Just type the string of words “historical fiction romance” into the keyword search box in the classic or Encore catalog and choose either eBooks or downloadable audiobooks from the list of formats on the left side of the page.

Submitted by Karyn Davis-West
Information/Circulation Department
Central Library

The Carlton Reese Memorial Singers marched and demonstrated during Birmingham's civil rights movement. Come hear them express themselves through freedom songs, gospel music, and testimonies. Wednesday, February 6, noon.

To commemorate the 50th anniversary of Birmingham's civil rights struggle, the Birmingham Public Library is sponsoring the Year of Birmingham, a 12-month series of lectures, documentary films, performances and panel discussions.

Feed your body and mind at BPL's Brown Bag Lunch programs. You bring the lunch and we'll bring the drinks. Central Library, Linn Henley Research Building, Arrington Auditorium, 4th floor. For more information call 226-3604 or visit www.bplonline.org.

The Passage of Power: The Years of Lyndon Johnson
Robert Caro

Very rarely has a politician’s political fortunes been where one is at height of power, then fallen to near-powerlessness, then in a moment back to the heights. Robert Caro’s fourth volume about the life of Lyndon Johnson tells the story of Johnson’s clumsy attempts to run for president in 1960 while leader of the Senate, then the offer of the vice president by John F. Kennedy, despite the intense dislike of Johnson by Robert Kennedy.

Johnson then spent the next couple of years isolated in the office of vice president. So used to power, Johnson languished and was marginalized while John and Robert Kennedy grew more powerful and more popular with the American public. Desperate to have some influence on events, Johnson tried to exert his viewpoints on current events such as the Cuban missile crisis and the civil rights movements. These attempts at influence were quickly squashed by the Kennedys. Entering the fall of 1963, Johnson’s political fortunes were at the lowest ebb: a Senate investigation committee and Life magazine was about to look into some of Johnson’s business dealings, and there was the potential of John Kennedy dropping Lyndon Johnson from the ticket for the next presidential election. All of that changed in a few seconds in Dallas on November 22, 1963.

After Kennedy’s assassination, Lyndon Johnson was able to pull the country together and to prove to the many doubters that he could lead the country under extremely stressful situations. Johnson chose to continue Kennedy’s programs, especially the 1963 Civil Rights Bill when everyone felt that it was a lost cause. The book ends with the passage of the Federal Budget and the upcoming civil rights battles. Also on the horizon is the upcoming election and the dark specter of Vietnam.

An outstanding book, I thoroughly enjoyed it and learned much about modern political life. I was amused at the conflict between Robert Kennedy and Lyndon Johnson, and felt heartbroken with Robert Kennedy with his brother’s assassination. A thoroughly excellent book and eagerly await Caro’s final volume.

Submitted by Vincent Solfronk
Youth Department
Central Library

Tonight's workshop, Gifts of a Wordsmith, will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the Storycastle on the second floor of the Central Library.

Featuring special guest Yogi E.C. (Yolanda Carter), poet, artist, and author of the book Eternal Communicator/Chameloen Assassin, a collection of poetry accompanied by photography by Marika N. Johnson. Yogi's resume includes commissioned work for ABC 33/40’s Freedom Riders, being a finalist for Turner South Television’s In My South competition, and vocals for Alabama Public Television’s soundtrack for the Emmy Award Nominated documentary, Mr. Dial Has Something to Say.

Gifts of a Wordsmith is held every first Tuesday at the Central Library.

Thanks to the efforts of the Birmingham Volunteer Lawyers Program (BVLP), Jefferson County citizens who are attempting to represent themselves in either the county’s District or Domestic Relations Courts can receive free advice from experienced attorneys. Known as “Attorney for the Day,” it is a pro bono service that seeks to make the court process a little bit easier to navigate for those who cannot afford to pay for a lawyer. Although all courts try to make the justice system accessible to the general public, they still use very technical legal language in the conduct of their affairs and still require plaintiffs and defendants to follow very complicated procedures. Having an experienced attorney available to provide assistance to self-represented litigants can help overcome these bureaucratic roadblocks and thereby make the justice system run much more effectively for citizens and much more efficiently for court officials.

The local attorneys who staff the BVLP’s help desks at the District and Domestic Relations Courts can provide advice on various legal matters including explanation of court rules and procedures, preparation and filing of court forms, and planning for your court appearance. Please remember, however, that the assistance given by the volunteer attorneys is done on a pro bono basis and should not be expected to go beyond the help desk setting.

The Attorney for the Day program is offered on a first come, first served basis and does not require an appointment. Those interested in the service can simply come to the help desks at the following locations, days and times:

Jefferson County District Court Help Desk
Jefferson County Courthouse, Room 540
716 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd., Birmingham, AL 35203
Mondays and Thursdays, 8:30 a.m. to 12  p.m.

Jefferson County Domestic Relations Court Help Desk,
Domestic Relations Building, ground floor
2124 Seventh Avenue North., Birmingham, AL 35203
Wednesdays, 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

For further information about the Attorney for the Day program, please contact the BVLP at 250-5198.

The Birmingham Volunteers Lawyers Program was created in 1995 by the Birmingham Bar Association and Legal Services Alabama to provide local attorneys with a more effective means of designing and delivering pro bono services. More information about the activities of the BVLP can be found on their website.

For those wishing to research legal questions and concerns on their own, the Birmingham Public Library is a good place to start. Although library staff cannot offer legal advice, they can help you locate information on a variety of legal issues. The library’s Legal Self Help Subject Guide provides a useful compilation of resources with which to begin your research.

Jim Murray
Business, Science and Technology/Social Sciences Department
Central Library

For the first time ever, the Birmingham Public Library is participating in the Birmingham Home and Garden Show, from February 14th-17th, 2013, at the BJCC! 

If you order your tickets online, make certain to use the promotional code "LIBRARY" for $4 off the regular cost.

The show has some great highlights, including celebrity chef Chris Crary (Bravo TV’s Top Chef ), Lifestyle Guru and Master Designer, Chris H. Olsen , the voice of the Crimson Tide Eli Gold and Auburn Tigers announcer Rod Bramblett , as well as Carmen Johnston, garden lifestyle expert for the Southern Living Plant Collection. Here are the show's celebrity bios.

Check out some of these gorgeous gardens to be featured too. 

We will be offering story times by some of our amazing library storytellers.

We will demonstrate how to use BPL's e-services, download e-books and music, and sign people up for BPLinks (the weekly e-newsletter) which will enter you into a contest for gift certificates to The Outlet Shops of Grand River. 

We'll be displaying library books on DIY, home improvement, cooking, gardening, and more.

So, please do take advantage of your library discount today (and come by our booth during the show to say hello)! 

Kids getting ready to do a donut craft after BPL storytellers entertained them with a performance of Laura Numeroff's If You Give a Dog a Donut, the 13th book in Numeroff's If You Give A series. What a wonderful experience it is to see the eyes of pre-school children light up to storytelling. Pre-school story times can and do make a difference in the lives of these little ones. Our story times include a combination of books, and book related activities such as songs, crafts, and puppets. It has been proven that activities such as reading, singing, and playing with children can impact a child’s brain development and help with pre-reading skills they need to start school. Storytimes also provide an opportunity for children to interact with one another, engage in dramatic play, learn new words and concepts, and help to gradually increase their attention spans. Storytime can be one of the most influential factors in a child’s educational development. To take advantage of this and more, join the wonderful story tellers at the Powderly Library each Tuesday morning at 10:30 a.m. Come prepared for a half hour of books, fun, and activities!

Visit Birmingham365.org for a complete list of Birmingham Public Library events for children, teens, and adults.

Submitted by Loretta Bitten
Powderly Library

Beautifying your yard doesn’t have to be a laborious task if you plan ahead. The winter off-season is the perfect time for pre-planning your landscaping projects. Start with a clear plan of what you want to achieve. Whether you want to revamp your whole yard or improve upon your current landscape features. If you’re short on ideas how to proceed, the Birmingham Public Library has landscaping books to provide you with the necessary information for your project.

For those who enjoy the convenience of the library’s electronic resources, we have put together several Home & Garden Subject Resource guides that will assist you with your landscaping needs.

If you need further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact your local Birmingham Public Library.


Update: We the people of the Birmingham Public Library will have a booth at the upcoming Bham Home and Garden Show, so make sure you come see us! If you order your tickets online, you can get a 40% discount by entering the promo code "Library" right here! See you there!

Submitted by Business, Science & Technology Department
Central Library

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I love my Kindle Fire and I enjoy the many wonderful features of the device:  Wi-Fi web browsing, Android apps for Kindle, e-reader, cloud storage, and more.  I was excited when Overdrive began to offer e-books for Kindle.  It is so easy to access them when you check out because the Overdrive site links you directly to Amazon.com to download the books to your Kindle Fire. 
Overdrive has now made it possible for me to download audiobooks and even more e-books.  Overdrive Media Console, which has been available for Apple devices and Android phones for some time, is now available for Kindle Fire.  All Android apps are not compatible with the Kindle Fire, so it’s great that the Overdrive app is now available.  I downloaded the free app and I can use it to access both MP3 audiobooks and EPUB e-books.  As a result, the number of titles I have access to has expanded dramatically.

To discover more fun ways to use your Kindle Fire, check out one of these titles from your local library:      

The Carlton Reese Memorial Singers marched and demonstrated during Birmingham's civil rights movement. Come hear them express themselves through freedom songs, gospel music, and testimonies. Wednesday, February 6, noon.

To commemorate the 50th anniversary of Birmingham's civil rights struggle, the Birmingham Public Library is sponsoring the Year of Birmingham, a 12-month series of lectures, documentary films, performances and panel discussions.

Feed your body and mind at BPL's Brown Bag Lunch programs. You bring the lunch and we'll bring the drinks. Central Library, Linn Henley Research Building, Arrington Auditorium, 4th floor. For more information call 226-3604 or visit www.bplonline.org.

On Friday, February 1, Bards & Brews travels to the beautiful Vestavia Hills Library in the Forest for the very first time. The Birmingham Public Library’s (BPL) popular poetry performance/beer tasting series begins at 6:30 p.m. with live music featuring Taylor Flannagan, and poetry performances start at 7:00. The February session will be OPEN MIC. Emcee Brian “Voice Porter” Hawkins will deftly guide both novice and veteran poets through an evening of verse with topics that run the gamut from romantic relationships to the local political scene. The program is free of charge and open to the public.

Craft beer will be available for sampling courtesy of Back Forty Beer Co., and light refreshments will be served. Attendees must be 18 years or older to be admitted, and 21 years or older to be served. IDs will be checked.

Bards & Brews is usually held on the first Friday of the month at various locations around town. The March 1 session will be held at the Five Points West Regional Library located at 4812 Avenue West and will be open mic. Check out the Bards & Brews page on Facebook for more information. This program is made possible by grants from the Alabama State Council on the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts.