I finally got to meet Libby from Hoover Library while at the Alabama Library Association conference this week.
Libby (who started in August 2023 as their first canine librarian) was introduced as a “facility animal” here at the conference and helps out with programs at the library. The Hoover librarians were here leading a session to help other libraries figure out how to start animal-related programs like theirs.
I realize that zero folks outside of Birmingham will be interested, but it’s always cool to see neighbors while on a work trip!
The excellent speaker series Southern Voices festival held at the Hoover Public Library has announced that British crime novelist Elizabeth George is headlining the 2024 event. This annual event is always a good time if you enjoy hanging out with bookish folks and meeting authors. You can find out more about next year’s conference at the Southern Voices site.
The Hoover Sun has all the good details and wonderful author biographies, but the basics are:
January 11, 2024 at 10am – tickets go on sale on their site. Tickets for “An Evening with Elizabeth George” are $40, while tickets for Saturday’s Authors Conference are $45.
Sunday, February 18, 2024 – the Southern Voices Festival kicks off its 31st year with two John Waite concerts. One at 3pm and the other at 7pm
Tuesday, February 20, 2024 – artist Katie Baldwin lecture and reception
Friday, February 23, 2024 – “An Evening with Elizabeth George” at 7pm
Saturday, February 24, 2024 – the Southern Voices Author Conference starts at 9am and ends at 4pm.
It’s always fun to see who Southern Voices organizers can get to speak in Hoover, AL, each year. It’s always a thrill when it is someone of Elizabeth George’s caliber.
There are other authors as well, including Kate Quinn, Yasmin Angoe, John Archibald, Kim Cross, and more. So be sure to click over and read that Hoover Sun article. Then mark your calendars to buy your tickets on January 11, 2024. It’s shaping up to be another great event at the Hoover Library.
There is a great book sale kicking off in Hoover, AL. It runs through the whole weekend. It’s the quarterly Hoover Library Book Sale held by the Friends of the Hoover Library.
While not as big as it was (they have sales quarterly instead of annually), this used book sale is always worth it.
The shopping kicks off today at 9am and has already been featured on many of the morning news shows here around Birmingham. The sale runs 9am-5:30pm Friday, 10am-5:30pm Saturday and 1pm to 4:30pm on Sunday.
The bag sales are really fun (and a great bargain) at the Hoover Library Book Sales. Don’t get me wrong – some of the books are well-loved well-read used library books you’d expect. What collectors might call “a reading copy”, but some of the books are donations from folks around the area. All for the same price!
I’m still kind of bummed that the Friends closed their bookshop that was in the Hoover Library. I mean I get why… but still… it was always a fun visit.
I’m always pleased to see some of the donated books and the condition and subject matter. If these donated book are any indication, we must have some really cool and interesting folks around Hoover. Though it’s hard to get to know someone when everyone is throwing elbows trying to grab what they can from the $1 hardback tables… it’s a lot of fun!
The weather looks perfect for the weekend as well. If you’re in the area it may be worth swinging by the Hoover Library Book Sale
Is this beautiful pup the one entering all the new data into the Libby library app?
“Libby is currently training to be our first canine librarian. She will officially join our staff in August. Check back here for a schedule of Libby’s appearances and to find ways to support Libby’s adoption.”
August seems so far away now. Can’t wait to hear more! If you’d like to keep up with the library, you can check out the site or follow them on all the social channels. They also have a fun Friends of the Library store you should check out if you’re in the Hoover, AL area. They have great prices.
