Category Archives: Alabama

Stumbling Upon a Treasure Chest

I’ve never made a list of all the reasons I feel fortunate to live in the neighborhood I do, but I am certain that the Little Free Libraries would be in the top 5.

Last night, I ran across this little birdhouse of books perched above the sidewalk. It’s fantastic.

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I am not sure who the little librarian is, but they’re doing good work. It was a mix of kid’s and adult books inside. All in good condition. I grabbed one that I think I’ll enjoy. I’ve seen it around. I’ll let you all know how it goes.

This Friday morning, I think I’ll stop by again and donate a couple of books after dropping the kids off at school. The trick is to pick the right two books. Definitely a hardback, I think. These Little Free Libraries are always more fun when it’s not just the dregs found inside.

I hope you’re fortunate enough to be in a place that has things like this nearby. Bookish folks really are the coolest, aren’t they?

Books at Brookwood Mall

This weekend I had to run through Brookwood Mall for a bit, but found myself wanting to stay, due to all the FREE books! It was fantastic. According to the signs it’s a partnership between The Literacy Council of Central Alabama and the Brookwood Mall.
Brookwood Mall

Brookwood Mall

If you want to take a book – then take a book. It’s free! All they ask is that you leave a book too. What a great deal and what a great location.  .  . at a mall. I love it.

While I didn’t find anything to take home this trip, this will certainly be a place that I’ll check in on a good bit. They did have hardback copies of all three books in the ‘Girl with the Dragon Tattoo’ series. Which is a good deal, if you haven’t gotten those yet.

Brookwood Mall

The bookcases surround the tops of the escalators outside of Macy’s as well as outside of Belk. I can vouch that the couch and chairs are indeed as comfy as they look.

Brookwood Mall

Brookwood Mall

I hope that this turns into a permanent setup at the mall. In fact, I hope it’s so successful that other malls, in the Birmingham area, will take note and set up their own free lending libraries.

Birmingham Library Bookstore

The Friends Bookstore at the Central Library re-opened in a new location in April 2016. The library bookstore is now on the first floor now just to the left of the checkout desk, as you come in the main entrance. The big bright windows are fantastic to browse by (though I hope the spines don’t fade!).

library bookstore

 

I stopped by to check it out and found some great finds. You probably will too. Most everything in there runs between $.50-$3 range depending on if it’s a mass or trade paperback or hardback.

The library bookstore constantly runs sales and updates the community about recent donations. So I highly recommend signing up for their newsletter list.

Anyway, here are a few photos I snapped back in April when they first opened.

library bookstore

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If you want to see what the shop looked like on the second floor, here is the 2011 photo tour of it.

$5 Fine Coupon for JCLC Libraries

Here is a coupon for a $5 credit to be applied to your library fines at Jefferson County libraries. You must print the coupon out and take it to a JCLC branch next week April 10th – 16th.

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The $5 coupon is part of the JCLC library system’s celebration of National Libra$5 ry Week which is next week. According to the full press release there are a few other new things of note:

  • they are going to start allowing folks to renew library cards via the phone as well as online (though I can’t find where)
  • there is an instance when the $3 cost is waived for replacing a library card
  • expiration dates for library cards has been extended from one year to two years

So, if you use the Jefferson County Library system, grab the coupon and knock out some fines!