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3 Kanopy Recommendations For The Weekend From BPL Librarian Weston Flippo

3 Kanopy Recommendations For The Weekend From BPL Librarian Weston Flippo

A black banner that says "Kanopy: Thoughtful Entertainment" in white with a colorful block line in red, orange, and yellow beneath the Kanopy.

Between the weather, holiday season stresses, and disappointing college football seasons, throwing up your hands and staying in this weekend is entirely understandable. To better drown out the hollowing cold winds and cries of despair from football fans, here are three movies you can watch on Kanopy. All you need to access Kanopy is a JCLC library card!

Film poster for The Decline of Western Civilization

1. The Decline of Western Civilization: Part Ⅱ The Metal Years

For me, this is one of the best music documentaries ever made. Spanning from 1987 to 1988, director Penelope Spheeris digs deep into the live fast and die young world of the Los Angeles heavy metal community. The documentary features Ozzy Osbourne (cooking breakfast), Lemmy (Motorhead), Paul Stanley (KISS), members of Poison, Odin, and most notoriously, Chris Holmes of WASP. Seen by many as the death knell to the glam metal scene of the late 1980s, Decline of Western Civilization Part Ⅱ is an excellent but very sobering look at excess and the quest for frame.

The film poster for His Girl Friday

2. His Girl Friday

When Cary Grant and Rosalind Russell are on screen together in this 1940 Howard Hawks film, their chemistry is practically hitting you in the face with a bat. Grant and Russell play a newspaper editor and star reporter, respectively, that despite their divorce and Russell's upcoming wedding, are thrust back together to cover the execution of a prisoner. Through hijinks, gunplay, corrupt politicians, and police officers, you will find yourself rooting for Russell and Grant to get the scope and maybe each other. 

The film poster for Rock N' Roll High School

3. Rock N' Roll High School

I remember being told by a college friend that I should be wary of people who do not like the Ramones. While this guidance hasn't always been true, I do side-eye a person's musical opinion if they disparage the great works of the Ramones. Rock N' Roll High School starts P.J. Soles as Riff Randell, a rebellious Ramones-loving high school student at Vince Lombardi High School. Riff and the diabolical Principal Togar wage battle over the soul of the school that eventually drags the Ramones into the fray. While some of the jokes have not aged well, and the budget is far from breaking the bank, watching people dance to the Ramones while a school-wide dance party breaks out makes it all worth it.

By Weston Flippo | Librarian Ⅰ, Central Library

Best OKYUI3 Kanopy Recommendations For The Weekend From BPL Librarian Weston FlippoFOKUJIJJJ

Best OKYUI3 Kanopy Recommendations For The Weekend From BPL Librarian Weston FlippoFOKUJIJJJ

A black banner that says "Kanopy: Thoughtful Entertainment" in white with a colorful block line in red, orange, and yellow beneath the Kanopy.

Between the weather, holiday season stresses, and disappointing college football seasons, throwing up your hands and staying in this weekend is entirely understandable. To better drown out the hollowing cold winds and cries of despair from football fans, here are three movies you can watch on Kanopy. All you need to access Kanopy is a JCLC library card!

Film poster for The Decline of Western Civilization

1. The Decline of Western Civilization: Part Ⅱ The Metal Years

For me, this is one of the best music documentaries ever made. Spanning from 1987 to 1988, director Penelope Spheeris digs deep into the live fast and die young world of the Los Angeles heavy metal community. The documentary features Ozzy Osbourne (cooking breakfast), Lemmy (Motorhead), Paul Stanley (KISS), members of Poison, Odin, and most notoriously, Chris Holmes of WASP. Seen by many as the death knell to the glam metal scene of the late 1980s, Decline of Western Civilization Part Ⅱ is an excellent but very sobering look at excess and the quest for frame.

The film poster for His Girl Friday

2. His Girl Friday

When Cary Grant and Rosalind Russell are on screen together in this 1940 Howard Hawks film, their chemistry is practically hitting you in the face with a bat. Grant and Russell play a newspaper editor and star reporter, respectively, that despite their divorce and Russell's upcoming wedding, are thrust back together to cover the execution of a prisoner. Through hijinks, gunplay, corrupt politicians, and police officers, you will find yourself rooting for Russell and Grant to get the scope and maybe each other. 

The film poster for Rock N' Roll High School

3. Rock N' Roll High School

I remember being told by a college friend that I should be wary of people who do not like the Ramones. While this guidance hasn't always been true, I do side-eye a person's musical opinion if they disparage the great works of the Ramones. Rock N' Roll High School starts P.J. Soles as Riff Randell, a rebellious Ramones-loving high school student at Vince Lombardi High School. Riff and the diabolical Principal Togar wage battle over the soul of the school that eventually drags the Ramones into the fray. While some of the jokes have not aged well, and the budget is far from breaking the bank, watching people dance to the Ramones while a school-wide dance party breaks out makes it all worth it.

By Weston Flippo | Librarian Ⅰ, Central Library

Community Resources For Food Insecurity In Birmingham

Community Resources For Food Insecurity In Birmingham

Cans, boxes, and bottles of food and food related items stock rows of metal shelves, forming aisles between each shelf. This is for a food pantry.

Alabama is one of the most food insecure states in the country. Many factors over the past few years have only added to that food insecurity and the need for assistance from outside of the home in order to feed one's family. 

At this time of year, it can be even more stressful to provide for the basics of three nutritious meals a day. Thankfully there are numerous resources available in the Birmingham area whose sole purpose is to help those in need.

If you or anyone you know are finding themselves unsure about meals this winter, the following resources are here to help:

Community Foodbank of Central Alabama

This is your most important, comprehensive tool for finding food assistance in the Birmingham area. There are two ways to search this website to tailor your search to your needs. You can either search the map to see which resources are closest to you, or you can search by a calendar that shows which resources are distributing foods on specific days of the month. Clicking on those dates gives you specific information about times and place for the resource. 

Blazer Kitchen

Blazer Kitchen is the food pantry for University of Alabama in Birmingham (UAB) students and employees. You must have your student ID or Viva Health employee badge to participate. The Blazer Kitchen is located at 1613 11th Ave South. Click on this link to see hours of operation and to register for a shopping appointment. 

Firehouse Ministries

Firehouse Ministries, located at 626 2nd Ave North, serves hot meals every day to the homeless community in Birmingham. Lunch is served at 11:30 a.m. and is open to anyone who is in need. Dinner is served at 7:30 p.m. only to the men who have taken shelter within the Ministry for the night. Again, this is a free, hot meal served 365 days a year for anyone facing homelessness. 

The Ministry Center at Green Springs (MCGS)

Located at 2230 Green Springs Highway, MCGS is a food pantry that distributed pantry items to hundreds of people per month. Call 205-326-1211 and leave a message with your information and a call back number and volunteers will contact you about assistance. 

Check out One Roof to find resources for more soup kitchens and food pantries and other needs, like showers, shelters, clothing, and health.

By J. Michael Coe | Library Assistant Ⅲ, North Birmingham Regional Branch and Inglenook Branch Libraries

Best OKYUICommunity Resources For Food Insecurity In Birmingham FOKUJIJJJ

Best OKYUICommunity Resources For Food Insecurity In Birmingham FOKUJIJJJ

Cans, boxes, and bottles of food and food related items stock rows of metal shelves, forming aisles between each shelf. This is for a food pantry.

Alabama is one of the most food insecure states in the country. Many factors over the past few years have only added to that food insecurity and the need for assistance from outside of the home in order to feed one's family. 

At this time of year, it can be even more stressful to provide for the basics of three nutritious meals a day. Thankfully there are numerous resources available in the Birmingham area whose sole purpose is to help those in need.

If you or anyone you know are finding themselves unsure about meals this winter, the following resources are here to help:

Community Foodbank of Central Alabama

This is your most important, comprehensive tool for finding food assistance in the Birmingham area. There are two ways to search this website to tailor your search to your needs. You can either search the map to see which resources are closest to you, or you can search by a calendar that shows which resources are distributing foods on specific days of the month. Clicking on those dates gives you specific information about times and place for the resource. 

Blazer Kitchen

Blazer Kitchen is the food pantry for University of Alabama in Birmingham (UAB) students and employees. You must have your student ID or Viva Health employee badge to participate. The Blazer Kitchen is located at 1613 11th Ave South. Click on this link to see hours of operation and to register for a shopping appointment. 

Firehouse Ministries

Firehouse Ministries, located at 626 2nd Ave North, serves hot meals every day to the homeless community in Birmingham. Lunch is served at 11:30 a.m. and is open to anyone who is in need. Dinner is served at 7:30 p.m. only to the men who have taken shelter within the Ministry for the night. Again, this is a free, hot meal served 365 days a year for anyone facing homelessness. 

The Ministry Center at Green Springs (MCGS)

Located at 2230 Green Springs Highway, MCGS is a food pantry that distributed pantry items to hundreds of people per month. Call 205-326-1211 and leave a message with your information and a call back number and volunteers will contact you about assistance. 

Check out One Roof to find resources for more soup kitchens and food pantries and other needs, like showers, shelters, clothing, and health.

By J. Michael Coe | Library Assistant Ⅲ, North Birmingham Regional Branch and Inglenook Branch Libraries

BPL Employee Julie Higginbottom Shares Why She Loves Reading, & Why You Should, Too

BPL Employee Julie Higginbottom Shares Why She Loves Reading, & Why You Should, Too

A stack of books on a table with a full book shelf in the background.

Take a moment and ask yourself, "How does the act of reading make me feel?".

Think on that for as long as you'd like, maybe respond aloud to yourself or write your thoughts down, whatever feels most comfortable to you. You might answer and say reading makes you feel relaxed, or excited, or annoyed, or bored, or maybe you don't have much of a relationship to reading for pleasure. All of these feelings and others you may have are totally valid, and I share most of them at different times.

I feel it's important to analyze how we feel when we read. It can enhance our experience and help us understand what it is that we like or dislike about certain types of books. It can give us insight into what genres we prefer, authors we enjoy, and even if we prefer reading in digital or print.

Books were something I grew up with, and I feel very grateful for that. The stories I read when I was younger have stuck with me throughout my life. Books were companions who comforted me when I was sad, who laughed with me, and who cried with me. I remember being obsessed with the Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan and loving the era of young adult dystopian novels made into movies. It was all so engaging and it taught me to find solace in words. 

I still often find comfort in fiction, especially when the characters are relatable. Now, as an adult, I often reach for nonfiction when I want to learn something new or read a memoir about someone's life, or get emotional with a bit of poetry. 

Anything you might be interested in, there's a book to satisfy that interest and with the library, it's easily at our disposal. So, why not use it!

Understandably, some might be hesitant to start reading, as it takes a good bit of time and energy, which most of us can already be low on. I do think it's worth it, though, and when you start, it's easier to keep going. Reading is one of my favorite ways to unwind. Books are able to take your mind to new places and give you new perspectives. It's a treasure trove just waiting to be opened up!

Another reason you should love reading is how much more accessible it is with technology. We have eBooks, Kindles, and even audiobooks to choose from. There's Libby and Hoopla for eBooks, magazines, and audiobooks. All you need to access either of those is internet access and a valid JCLC library card.

There's no wrong way to read and no way is better than another; it's all preference. It doesn't matter if it takes hours or months to get through a book. It only matters that you're reading.

It doesn't matter the genre or length. It only matters that you're reading. It doesn't even matter if it's an adult, young adult, or children's book!

Books are for everyone who wants to read them. And if you have no idea where to even start when looking, just head over to any Birmingham Public Library location and ask for assistance. We are glad to connect you to the perfect book and get you reading! 

By Julie Higginbottom | Library Assistant Ⅲ, North Birmingham Regional Branch Library

Best OKYUI BPL Employee Julie Higginbottom Shares Why She Loves Reading, & Why You Should, TooFOKUJIJJJ

Best OKYUI BPL Employee Julie Higginbottom Shares Why She Loves Reading, & Why You Should, TooFOKUJIJJJ

A stack of books on a table with a full book shelf in the background.

Take a moment and ask yourself, "How does the act of reading make me feel?".

Think on that for as long as you'd like, maybe respond aloud to yourself or write your thoughts down, whatever feels most comfortable to you. You might answer and say reading makes you feel relaxed, or excited, or annoyed, or bored, or maybe you don't have much of a relationship to reading for pleasure. All of these feelings and others you may have are totally valid, and I share most of them at different times.

I feel it's important to analyze how we feel when we read. It can enhance our experience and help us understand what it is that we like or dislike about certain types of books. It can give us insight into what genres we prefer, authors we enjoy, and even if we prefer reading in digital or print.

Books were something I grew up with, and I feel very grateful for that. The stories I read when I was younger have stuck with me throughout my life. Books were companions who comforted me when I was sad, who laughed with me, and who cried with me. I remember being obsessed with the Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan and loving the era of young adult dystopian novels made into movies. It was all so engaging and it taught me to find solace in words. 

I still often find comfort in fiction, especially when the characters are relatable. Now, as an adult, I often reach for nonfiction when I want to learn something new or read a memoir about someone's life, or get emotional with a bit of poetry. 

Anything you might be interested in, there's a book to satisfy that interest and with the library, it's easily at our disposal. So, why not use it!

Understandably, some might be hesitant to start reading, as it takes a good bit of time and energy, which most of us can already be low on. I do think it's worth it, though, and when you start, it's easier to keep going. Reading is one of my favorite ways to unwind. Books are able to take your mind to new places and give you new perspectives. It's a treasure trove just waiting to be opened up!

Another reason you should love reading is how much more accessible it is with technology. We have eBooks, Kindles, and even audiobooks to choose from. There's Libby and Hoopla for eBooks, magazines, and audiobooks. All you need to access either of those is internet access and a valid JCLC library card.

There's no wrong way to read and no way is better than another; it's all preference. It doesn't matter if it takes hours or months to get through a book. It only matters that you're reading.

It doesn't matter the genre or length. It only matters that you're reading. It doesn't even matter if it's an adult, young adult, or children's book!

Books are for everyone who wants to read them. And if you have no idea where to even start when looking, just head over to any Birmingham Public Library location and ask for assistance. We are glad to connect you to the perfect book and get you reading! 

By Julie Higginbottom | Library Assistant Ⅲ, North Birmingham Regional Branch Library

Central Library, PEN America Birmingham Reads To Host Conversation About Imani Perry's Book on Friday, November 18

Central Library, PEN America Birmingham Reads To Host Conversation About Imani Perry's Book on Friday, November 18



What: Birmingham Reads Pen America Birmingham Book Club Conversations of Imani Perry's "South to America"
When: Friday, November 18, 2022, 6:00 p.m. 
Where: Central Library, 2100 Park Place, Birmingham, Alabama, 35203
Link to event on BPL Calendar

Birmingham, Ala. Please join PEN America Birmingham  at the Central Library in downtown Birmingham at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, November 18, for Birmingham Reads Pen America Birmingham Book Club Conversations of Imani Perry's "South to America," an interactive community discussion on decolonizing language, marginalization, language, and identity.


Teaching artist Brianna Jordynn “B.J.” Wright, along with their co-presenters, will lead attendees though a dynamic session to better understand the selected text, conceptually define slavery to understand the complexities and nuances of its legacy, and utilize library resources to explore family history and heritage. 

Using Imani Perry’s South to America: A Journey Below the Mason-Dixon to Understand the Soul of a Nation as a discussion guide, this conversation will cover the complexities and nuances of the legacy of slavery. Following this debate style event, attendees will better understand the effects of colonization on education, language, identity, and power. 

This event is a part a series of ongoing events within the Birmingham Reads Project, a citywide literary event dedicated to engaging and uniting Birmingham community members in reading one book of fiction or nonfiction in one given year and then discussing it in book groups and at events throughout the city. 

This year’s selection, South to America: A Journey Below the Mason-Dixon to Understand the Soul of a Nation by Princeton University Professor and Birmingham native Imani Perry, is a sprawling and ambitious book that brings together the perspective of a distinguished historian and the personal narrative of a native-born southerner to better understand the beauty, tragedy, and soul of this country.

Teaching artist Brianna Jordynn “B.J.” Wright, along with their co-presenters, will lead attendees though a dynamic session to better understand the selected text, conceptually define slavery to understand the complexities and nuances of its legacy, and utilize library resources to explore family history and heritage. 

Wright is a writer, educator and scholar based in Birmingham, AL. In 2019, she graduated cum laude from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, obtaining her Bachelors of Arts degrees in Anthropology (minor in Women’s Studies) and African American Studies (concentration in Historical Investigation and Cultural Awareness). She is currently pursuing a Masters of Arts degree in Africana Studies from Georgia State University (concentration in Community Empowerment). She takes inspiration from classic scholars such as Dr. W.E.B. Du Boise, Zora Neale Hurston, Harold Cruse, Audrey Lorde, Dr. Huey P. Newton, bell hooks, and Toni Morrison. Her current research interests include, but are not limited to the impact of language policing on Black adolescents, the role of Blackness in comics and anime, and conceptually defining the Master’s House."

 Ashley M Jones, poet laureate of Alabama and co-chapter leader of PEN Birmingham, said: “By reading one book of fiction or nonfiction in one given year and then discussing it in book groups and at events throughout the city, our goal is to build community, boost literary and civic engagement, and promote greater understanding of underrepresented perspectives. We are so thrilled to begin this journey with Imani Perry’s insightful book that relies on her extraordinary scholarship, depth of knowledge, and her personal experience growing up in Birmingham. Birmingham is a magical place for so many reasons, and this program aims to celebrate that magic!”

Perry said: “I’m thrilled that PEN America’s Birmingham chapter is raising up South to America as a collective reading experience across the city. The stories of Birmingham, the city of my birth, and the broader Southern region, are essential for understanding our country and necessary for creating a future in which all people, regardless of station, identity or personal history, are respected and cherished as members of the beloved human community. I believe the stories we share from the past give us hope for creating a better world in the future. And I can’t wait to be with my people come February!” 

During Black History Month on February 1, 2023, the Birmingham Reads project will feature a conversation with Professor and author Perry at Miles College.
By  
Best OKYUICentral Library, PEN America Birmingham Reads To Host Conversation About Imani Perry's Book on Friday, November 18FOKUJIJJJ

Best OKYUICentral Library, PEN America Birmingham Reads To Host Conversation About Imani Perry's Book on Friday, November 18FOKUJIJJJ



What: Birmingham Reads Pen America Birmingham Book Club Conversations of Imani Perry's "South to America"
When: Friday, November 18, 2022, 6:00 p.m. 
Where: Central Library, 2100 Park Place, Birmingham, Alabama, 35203
Link to event on BPL Calendar

Birmingham, Ala. Please join PEN America Birmingham  at the Central Library in downtown Birmingham at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, November 18, for Birmingham Reads Pen America Birmingham Book Club Conversations of Imani Perry's "South to America," an interactive community discussion on decolonizing language, marginalization, language, and identity.


Teaching artist Brianna Jordynn “B.J.” Wright, along with their co-presenters, will lead attendees though a dynamic session to better understand the selected text, conceptually define slavery to understand the complexities and nuances of its legacy, and utilize library resources to explore family history and heritage. 

Using Imani Perry’s South to America: A Journey Below the Mason-Dixon to Understand the Soul of a Nation as a discussion guide, this conversation will cover the complexities and nuances of the legacy of slavery. Following this debate style event, attendees will better understand the effects of colonization on education, language, identity, and power. 

This event is a part a series of ongoing events within the Birmingham Reads Project, a citywide literary event dedicated to engaging and uniting Birmingham community members in reading one book of fiction or nonfiction in one given year and then discussing it in book groups and at events throughout the city. 

This year’s selection, South to America: A Journey Below the Mason-Dixon to Understand the Soul of a Nation by Princeton University Professor and Birmingham native Imani Perry, is a sprawling and ambitious book that brings together the perspective of a distinguished historian and the personal narrative of a native-born southerner to better understand the beauty, tragedy, and soul of this country.

Teaching artist Brianna Jordynn “B.J.” Wright, along with their co-presenters, will lead attendees though a dynamic session to better understand the selected text, conceptually define slavery to understand the complexities and nuances of its legacy, and utilize library resources to explore family history and heritage. 

Wright is a writer, educator and scholar based in Birmingham, AL. In 2019, she graduated cum laude from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, obtaining her Bachelors of Arts degrees in Anthropology (minor in Women’s Studies) and African American Studies (concentration in Historical Investigation and Cultural Awareness). She is currently pursuing a Masters of Arts degree in Africana Studies from Georgia State University (concentration in Community Empowerment). She takes inspiration from classic scholars such as Dr. W.E.B. Du Boise, Zora Neale Hurston, Harold Cruse, Audrey Lorde, Dr. Huey P. Newton, bell hooks, and Toni Morrison. Her current research interests include, but are not limited to the impact of language policing on Black adolescents, the role of Blackness in comics and anime, and conceptually defining the Master’s House."

 Ashley M Jones, poet laureate of Alabama and co-chapter leader of PEN Birmingham, said: “By reading one book of fiction or nonfiction in one given year and then discussing it in book groups and at events throughout the city, our goal is to build community, boost literary and civic engagement, and promote greater understanding of underrepresented perspectives. We are so thrilled to begin this journey with Imani Perry’s insightful book that relies on her extraordinary scholarship, depth of knowledge, and her personal experience growing up in Birmingham. Birmingham is a magical place for so many reasons, and this program aims to celebrate that magic!”

Perry said: “I’m thrilled that PEN America’s Birmingham chapter is raising up South to America as a collective reading experience across the city. The stories of Birmingham, the city of my birth, and the broader Southern region, are essential for understanding our country and necessary for creating a future in which all people, regardless of station, identity or personal history, are respected and cherished as members of the beloved human community. I believe the stories we share from the past give us hope for creating a better world in the future. And I can’t wait to be with my people come February!” 

During Black History Month on February 1, 2023, the Birmingham Reads project will feature a conversation with Professor and author Perry at Miles College.
By  
November Is Native American Heritage Month—Learn More With The BPL

November Is Native American Heritage Month—Learn More With The BPL

A book display of different books for Native American Heritage Month prioritizing Indigenous voices and histories.

As early as 1915, there have been efforts to institutionalize holidays recognizing Native American history and culture. In 1990, President George H. W. Bush approved a join resolution to make November "National American Indian Heritage Month." Since 1994, the office of the president has issued proclamations to similar effect designating a month-long celebration of Native American Heritage.

The National Congress of American Indians describes Native American Heritage Month as "a time to celebrate rich and diverse cultures, traditions, and histories and to acknowledge the important contributions of Native people. Heritage Month is also an opportune time to educate the general public about tribes, to raise a general awareness about the unique challenges Native people have faced both historically and in the present, and the ways in which tribal citizens have worked to conquer these challenges."

The story of humans in the Americas too often begins just before the arrival of European settlers, which prioritizes a Eurocentric view of history. But there has been human presence in North and South America for at least 15,000 years and maybe even as far back as 20,000 years ago. The immediate accessibility of European accounts of Native cultures makes recent history easier to recount, but the history of human cultures in the Americas is deep.

While much of that history is lost to time, archeological evidence and research has helped us reconstruct what some of those innumerous lives and societies might have been like. And those cultures still live—Indigenous peoples today continue to practice the traditions of their forebears as well as forge new histories. Ultimately, this is largely what Native American Heritage Month is about—not simply expanding historical chapters but remembering and celebrating the cultures of the Americas that preceded European arrival and the ones that live on to this day.

The Birmingham Public Library has many resources to help you learn about and celebrate Native American heritage. Watch films and documentaries on Kanopy and Hoopla by and about Indigenous people, listen to audiobooks by Indigenous authors on Libby, and come check out books on Indigenous heritage at any Birmingham Public Library location!

Here are several titles to start:

1491: New Revelations of the Americas before Columbus; Charles C. Mann

Lakota America: A New History of Indigenous Power; Pekka Hamalainen

Our History is the Future: Standing Rock versus the Dakota Access Pipeline, and the Long Tradition of Indigenous Resistance; Nick Estes

Black Elk Speaks; Black Elk

Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Wisdom of Plants; Robin Wall Kimmerer (there is also a copy for young adults)

By Parker Evans | Library Assistant Ⅲ, Business, Science, and Technology Department, Central Library 

Best OKYUINovember Is Native American Heritage Month—Learn More With The BPLFOKUJIJJJ

Best OKYUINovember Is Native American Heritage Month—Learn More With The BPLFOKUJIJJJ

A book display of different books for Native American Heritage Month prioritizing Indigenous voices and histories.

As early as 1915, there have been efforts to institutionalize holidays recognizing Native American history and culture. In 1990, President George H. W. Bush approved a join resolution to make November "National American Indian Heritage Month." Since 1994, the office of the president has issued proclamations to similar effect designating a month-long celebration of Native American Heritage.

The National Congress of American Indians describes Native American Heritage Month as "a time to celebrate rich and diverse cultures, traditions, and histories and to acknowledge the important contributions of Native people. Heritage Month is also an opportune time to educate the general public about tribes, to raise a general awareness about the unique challenges Native people have faced both historically and in the present, and the ways in which tribal citizens have worked to conquer these challenges."

The story of humans in the Americas too often begins just before the arrival of European settlers, which prioritizes a Eurocentric view of history. But there has been human presence in North and South America for at least 15,000 years and maybe even as far back as 20,000 years ago. The immediate accessibility of European accounts of Native cultures makes recent history easier to recount, but the history of human cultures in the Americas is deep.

While much of that history is lost to time, archeological evidence and research has helped us reconstruct what some of those innumerous lives and societies might have been like. And those cultures still live—Indigenous peoples today continue to practice the traditions of their forebears as well as forge new histories. Ultimately, this is largely what Native American Heritage Month is about—not simply expanding historical chapters but remembering and celebrating the cultures of the Americas that preceded European arrival and the ones that live on to this day.

The Birmingham Public Library has many resources to help you learn about and celebrate Native American heritage. Watch films and documentaries on Kanopy and Hoopla by and about Indigenous people, listen to audiobooks by Indigenous authors on Libby, and come check out books on Indigenous heritage at any Birmingham Public Library location!

Here are several titles to start:

1491: New Revelations of the Americas before Columbus; Charles C. Mann

Lakota America: A New History of Indigenous Power; Pekka Hamalainen

Our History is the Future: Standing Rock versus the Dakota Access Pipeline, and the Long Tradition of Indigenous Resistance; Nick Estes

Black Elk Speaks; Black Elk

Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Wisdom of Plants; Robin Wall Kimmerer (there is also a copy for young adults)

By Parker Evans | Library Assistant Ⅲ, Business, Science, and Technology Department, Central Library 

2021 Southern Exposure Films Donated to all 18 Birmingham Public Library Locations

2021 Southern Exposure Films Donated to all 18 Birmingham Public Library Locations

 

Holding copies of the 2021 Southern Exposure DVDs are L-R Caleb West, Caleb West, head of the BPL Collection Management Department; Cindy Lowry, executive director of Alabama Rivers Alliance, and Charles Scribner, executive director of Black Warrior Riverkeeper.


Cover of 2021 Southern Exposure DVD.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala.—Alabama Rivers Alliance and Black Warrior Riverkeeper have partnered to donate to the Birmingham Public Library (BPL) 18 copies of the latest editions of Southern Exposure, an award-winning film series dedicated to educating the public about Alabama’s natural resources. 

Each of BPL’s 18 locations now has one DVD copy of the 2021 edition of Southern Exposure, a series of documentary shorts on various Alabama environmental topics by independent filmmakers. DVDs of previous Southern Exposure editions are available at all BPL branches thanks to Alabama Rivers Alliance and Black Warrior Riverkeeper’s prior donations. 

“We are appreciative of this generous donation and honored to be a resource to help educate the public about Alabama’s natural resources,” said Janine Langston, executive director of the Birmingham Public Library. “These beautifully captured short films will enhance our collection and be available for borrowing at all 18 BPL locations.” 

Created in six short weeks during the summer, the 2021 Southern Exposure films celebrate special people and places in Alabama. These films explore a once-in-a-generation chance to change the operation of a major dam, and discover a special place at the foot of the Appalachian Mountains. They feature stories untold-until-now about the remarkable families along the Selma to Montgomery March route, they grapple with the wastewater infrastructure challenges, and they highlight amazing advocates working to protect their communities. 

“We are thrilled that the 2021 Southern Exposure films are available throughout Birmingham thanks to the dedication of our friends at Black Warrior Riverkeeper,” said Cindy Lowry, executive director of Alabama Rivers Alliance. “This collaboration helps us ensure these short films, which celebrate the stories of communities and people making a difference in Alabama, are free and accessible throughout the Black Warrior River watershed year after year!" 

This summer, all four of the 2021 Southern Exposure films were featured at the prestigious Sidewalk Film Festival in Birmingham. They have also been featured in dozens of film festivals across the globe such as EarthX, Wild & Scenic Film Festival, NatureNow, Thin Line Fest, Lookout Wild Film Festival, DocUtah, Environmental Film Festival at Yale and more. The films were recognized with several awards including Lookout Wild's Best Southeastern Film, Melbourne Documentary Film Festival's Best International Short Documentary.

“Everyone needs a clean environment to survive and thrive, so we want to make environmental information accessible to as many people as possible,” said Charles Scribner, executive director of Black Warrior Riverkeeper. “I am grateful to the Birmingham Public Library for helping us share Alabama Rivers Alliance’s amazing Southern Exposure films throughout Birmingham.” 

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 Birmingham Public Library’s mission is to provide the highest quality library service to our citizens for life-long learning, cultural enrichment, and enjoyment. This system—with 18 locations and serving the community for 135 years—is one of the largest library systems in the southeast. For additional information about the programs and services of the Birmingham Public Library, follow us on Facebook and Twitter @BPL.




Alabama Rivers Alliance is a statewide network of groups working to protect and restore all of Alabama’s water resources through building partnerships, empowering citizens, and advocating for sound water policy and its enforcement. 



Black Warrior Riverkeeper’s mission is to protect and restore the Black Warrior River and its tributaries. The nonprofit organization promotes clean water for the sake of public health, recreation, and wildlife habitat throughout the Black Warrior River watershed.
Best OKYUI2021 Southern Exposure Films Donated to all 18 Birmingham Public Library LocationsFOKUJIJJJ

Best OKYUI2021 Southern Exposure Films Donated to all 18 Birmingham Public Library LocationsFOKUJIJJJ

 

Holding copies of the 2021 Southern Exposure DVDs are L-R Caleb West, Caleb West, head of the BPL Collection Management Department; Cindy Lowry, executive director of Alabama Rivers Alliance, and Charles Scribner, executive director of Black Warrior Riverkeeper.


Cover of 2021 Southern Exposure DVD.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala.—Alabama Rivers Alliance and Black Warrior Riverkeeper have partnered to donate to the Birmingham Public Library (BPL) 18 copies of the latest editions of Southern Exposure, an award-winning film series dedicated to educating the public about Alabama’s natural resources. 

Each of BPL’s 18 locations now has one DVD copy of the 2021 edition of Southern Exposure, a series of documentary shorts on various Alabama environmental topics by independent filmmakers. DVDs of previous Southern Exposure editions are available at all BPL branches thanks to Alabama Rivers Alliance and Black Warrior Riverkeeper’s prior donations. 

“We are appreciative of this generous donation and honored to be a resource to help educate the public about Alabama’s natural resources,” said Janine Langston, executive director of the Birmingham Public Library. “These beautifully captured short films will enhance our collection and be available for borrowing at all 18 BPL locations.” 

Created in six short weeks during the summer, the 2021 Southern Exposure films celebrate special people and places in Alabama. These films explore a once-in-a-generation chance to change the operation of a major dam, and discover a special place at the foot of the Appalachian Mountains. They feature stories untold-until-now about the remarkable families along the Selma to Montgomery March route, they grapple with the wastewater infrastructure challenges, and they highlight amazing advocates working to protect their communities. 

“We are thrilled that the 2021 Southern Exposure films are available throughout Birmingham thanks to the dedication of our friends at Black Warrior Riverkeeper,” said Cindy Lowry, executive director of Alabama Rivers Alliance. “This collaboration helps us ensure these short films, which celebrate the stories of communities and people making a difference in Alabama, are free and accessible throughout the Black Warrior River watershed year after year!" 

This summer, all four of the 2021 Southern Exposure films were featured at the prestigious Sidewalk Film Festival in Birmingham. They have also been featured in dozens of film festivals across the globe such as EarthX, Wild & Scenic Film Festival, NatureNow, Thin Line Fest, Lookout Wild Film Festival, DocUtah, Environmental Film Festival at Yale and more. The films were recognized with several awards including Lookout Wild's Best Southeastern Film, Melbourne Documentary Film Festival's Best International Short Documentary.

“Everyone needs a clean environment to survive and thrive, so we want to make environmental information accessible to as many people as possible,” said Charles Scribner, executive director of Black Warrior Riverkeeper. “I am grateful to the Birmingham Public Library for helping us share Alabama Rivers Alliance’s amazing Southern Exposure films throughout Birmingham.” 

                                                                     ### 



 Birmingham Public Library’s mission is to provide the highest quality library service to our citizens for life-long learning, cultural enrichment, and enjoyment. This system—with 18 locations and serving the community for 135 years—is one of the largest library systems in the southeast. For additional information about the programs and services of the Birmingham Public Library, follow us on Facebook and Twitter @BPL.




Alabama Rivers Alliance is a statewide network of groups working to protect and restore all of Alabama’s water resources through building partnerships, empowering citizens, and advocating for sound water policy and its enforcement. 



Black Warrior Riverkeeper’s mission is to protect and restore the Black Warrior River and its tributaries. The nonprofit organization promotes clean water for the sake of public health, recreation, and wildlife habitat throughout the Black Warrior River watershed.
Film Review: The Friends of Eddie Coyle

Film Review: The Friends of Eddie Coyle

Film poster for The Friends of Eddie Coyle. It has red and yellow block colors and in the center is a group of men in black and white all holding weapons.
Sometimes, you can't trust anyone. Photo from film/art Gallery. 

Robert Mitchum is one of the quintessential actors of the Golden Age of Hollywood. His menacing but calm stare and haggard face are enough to grab anyone's attention. To paraphrase my grandfather, Mitchum was the bare-knuckled, cigarette-smoking underdog who would not hesitate to knock out the bully at the neighborhood bar. He may excel at playing one of the tough guys, but Mitchum can also take complex, troubled characters and simplify them through his blunt confidence. Although the Oscar-nominated actor may be intimidating, he never tried too hard to display his masculinity. It is his technique of connecting with audiences. This is why one of the best performances of his impressive career is the out-of-luck gunrunner, Eddie "Fingers" Coyle, in The Friends of Eddie Coyle.

He provides many guns, specifically pistols, for bank robbers throughout Boston, Massachusetts. In order to avoid a prison sentence, Eddie cooperates with a special agent for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Dave Foley, who is played by Richard Jordan. On top of that, the running-on-empty mobster sets his acquaintances up for jail time. This desperate gangster walks on a tightrope being an informer for Dave and betraying people who work loyally for him like another arms supplier, Jackie Brown, portrayed by Steven Keats. This supporting character should not be confused with Pam Grier's titular characters in Quentin Tarantino's underrated 1997 film, Jackie Brown. Even when he tries to clear his name, Eddie just cannot catch a break and still suffers for his past crimes. It is him versus the world of organized crime.

Dozens of neo-noir films made the 1970s a highlight for movies all about criminals and their shady interactions with law enforcement. The Friends of Eddie Coyle has everything that you would expect in a grimy, blue-collared gangster film.

A bank robbery? Check.

A car chase? You bet.

Even more unruly, back-stabbing criminals? That's right.

It is unfortunate that The Friends of Eddie Coyle underperformed at the box office back in 1973. It was during an era of American cinema when moviegoers were crowing about films like The French Connection, Chinatown, and The Godfather. Such a devastating story primarily stands out because of Mitchum's impeccable performance. Only Mitchum can accurately portray a character as crooked and conflicted as Eddie without being either overly sentimental or unusually reserved. His character's grit and insecurity collide in a subtle manner that makes this middle-aged criminal quite memorable and intriguing. You may want to feel sorry for this low-life gangster, but, deep down, you know his gloomy fate is sealed. This movie also serves as a credible template for more contemporary gangster films such as The Departed and The Town.

As we prepare for Thanksgiving, let's be thankful that we hopefully won't be put into a situation where we might have to double-cross family or friends. 

The Friends of Eddie Coyle is available for streaming on Kanopy and borrowing on DVD from the Jefferson County Library Cooperative, including all 16 active Birmingham Public Library locations.

By William Anthony | Librarian Ⅰ, Citizen Services