landmark, using Instagram. They can then upload the photos to Instagram and tag the photos with the hashtag: #bplcivilrightscontest. People who visit all of the landmarks and upload them with the hashtag will be entered into a drawing. Participants' photos will later appear on the library's website, www.bplonline.org. Several of the landmarks will be near Birmingham Public Library branches.

Viewing and Discussion of "The Long Walk Home" North Avondale Branch Library, 501 43rd Street North • 592-2082 Wednesday, March 27. 10 a.m. • For adults.

ApriL WOrD Up! 2013 Student poetry Slam Birmingham public Library, Arrington Auditorium, 2100 park place • 226-3670 Sunday, April 7, 2013. 3 p.m. This annual poetry slam is for high school students enrolled in schools or home schooled in Jefferson County. Students in grades 9 through 12 must write and perform an original work of poetry inspired by one of five civil rights era photographs chosen by the WORD UP! committee. Prior to April, each participating high school will hold a preliminary contest. The winners from each school will then compete in the WORD UP! contest. The contestants are judged on content and performance by a panel of three judges. The top three winners are awarded cash prizes.

Viewing and Discussion of "Freedom Writers" North Avondale Branch Library, 501 43rd Street North • 592-2082 Wednesday, April 10, 2013. 10 a.m. • For teenagers.

Untold Stories, Ordinary Voices Smithfield Branch Library, #1 Eighth Avenue West • 324-8428 Thursday, April 11, 2013. 10 a.m. Where were you when Sixteenth Street Baptist Church was bombed on Birmingham Public Library September 15, 1963? Come tell your story about what you remember. Comments will be recorded with permission. Presented by Karen Utz, curator of Sloss Furnaces. 2013 Civil Rights Events February-May www.bplonline.org/1963

For more information, email Birmingham Public Library Director of Public Relations Chanda Temple at [email protected] 2013 CiViL riGHTS EVENTS AT THE BirMiNGHAM pUBLiC LiBrAry MArCH All programs, exhibits and events are free and open to the public. Viewing of "Standing on my Sisters' Shoulders'' Titusville Branch Library, #2 Sixth Avenue SW • 322-1140 EXHiBiTS Thursday, March 7, 2013. 11 a.m.-12 p.m. Lawson State Art Showcase: An Exhibition of Works by Students This award-winning documentary looks at the courageous women who lived Five points West Branch Library, 4812 Avenue West • 226-4013 through the civil rights movement in Mississippi during the 1950s and 1960s. Artwork by students from Lawson State Community College will be on display These women stood up and fought for the right to vote and equal education. They throughout February. not only brought about change in Mississippi, but brought about change in America. Unseen...Unforgotten: Civil rights photographs from The Birmingham News Birmingham public Library, Fourth Floor Gallery, 2100 park place Wenonah High School Choir February 2 - March 28, 2013 powderly Branch Library, 3301 Jefferson Avenue SW • 925-6178 The exhibit has 41 photographs from The Birmingham News, which depict the Thursday, March 7, 2013. 6 p.m. • For all ages. turbulent and emotional events that happened in Birmingham during the 1950s The choir will perform Negro spirituals and music from the civil rights era. and 1960s. They highlight sit-ins, marches, threats, bombings, arrests and the pursuit for equal education. Each photo has a caption, which gives details of each Culture and Connection: Examining the Gee's Bend interviews scene. These extraordinary photographs show the people, places and action of a Five points West Branch Library, 4812 Avenue West • 226-4013 movement. The Birmingham Historical Society organized this project. Wednesday, March 13, 2013. 10:30 a.m. In the late 1970s, journalist and folklorist Kathryn Tucker Windham interviewed Gee's Bend photography Exhibit and recorded the residents of Gee's Bend, Alabama. The Archives Department at Five points West Branch Library, 4812 Avenue West • 226-4013 the Birmingham Public Library has about 30 of the interviews. Kelsey Bates, March 11 - April 30, 2013 • For all ages. director of development at the Birmingham Public Library, will discuss the These powerful images, taken by photographer John Reese in the late 1970s and interviews and the residents' comments on cooking, eating traditions, politics, early 1980s, reveal the lives of people at work, church, play and at home in Gee’s religion and family. Bend. This Alabama “Black Belt’’ community has become famous for its unique quilting tradition. Birmingham Civil rights: A Jewish perspective Birmingham public Library, Arrington Auditorium, 2100 park place • 226-3631 Afri-Spiritus Sembler: Diasporic Art Work by Mero'e rei March 13, 2013. 12 p.m. Birmingham public Library, Fourth Floor Gallery, 2100 park place • 226-3670 Birmingham attorney Karl Friedman recalls how Jewish people and the community April 2 - May 11, 2013 responded to civil rights events happening in Birmingham in the 1960s. This talk Rei's art deals with the spiritual influence of the African diaspora on culture, jazz, is part of the library's Brown Bag series. blues and the art world. A few of the pieces were inspired by Birmingham's 1963 civil rights movement. At least 75 percent of his art work is made with recycled presentation on Wyatt T. Walker's essay "The Historical Significance of paint. Meet Rei during a reception on Saturday, April 6 from 3 to 5 p.m. in Birmingham'' the gallery. Paintings and prints will be for sale. Smithfield Branch Library, #1 Eighth Avenue West • 324-8428 Thursday, March 14, 2013. 10 a.m. Art by Art Bacon Wyatt, who was chief of staff for the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., wrote a short Birmingham public Library, Fourth Floor Gallery, 2100 park place • 226-3670 essay about Birmingham's complex and controversial reputation. Karen Utz, May 13 - June 21, 2013 curator and historian at Sloss Furnaces, will discuss Walker's essay. Bacon, an award-winning artist from Talledega, Alabama, was brutally attacked in 1961 in Anniston, Alabama after sitting in what was previously a "Whites Only'' Civil rights Sleuths: Tracing the Clues of the Movement train station waiting room. He survived. Several of his pieces for this show were March 18 - April 12, 2013 inspired by Birmingham's civil rights movement. Meet Bacon during a reception This online digital adventure will be done through Instagram. The Birmingham and Q&A session on Saturday, May 18 from 3 to 5 p.m. in the gallery. Public Library will create a 1963 timeline that features well-known Birmingham All pieces are for sale. landmarks. People will be asked to visit the landmarks and take their photo at the as we remember and celebrate how far this country has come in pursuit of equality for all people. SpECiAL prOGrAM The Watsons Go to Birmingham - read it Forward Tell Me a Story About My History February 4 - May 31, 2013 Southside Branch Library, 1814 11th Avenue South • 933-7776 Birmingham Public Library patrons are encouraged to pick up a copy of Friday, February 22, 2013. 9:30 a.m. • For preschool. Christopher Paul Curtis' "The Watsons Go to Birmingham - 1963'' book at any In this preschool story time, Ms. Cas introduces the concept of history and Birmingham branch. Read it. Then, "read it forward'' by giving it to someone explores some stories based on civil rights. One of the stories, based on the book else to read, leaving it at a shopping center, etc. Before passing on the book, "Almost to Freedom'' by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson, is about a fictional rag doll look for the Read it Forward tracking number sticker on the book. Then, go to found in the Underground Railroad. www.bplonline.org, log in the tracking number and leave a comment about the book. Use the tracking number to follow the book's travels. This program Tell Me a Story About My History is for third graders and up. To learn more about the book, check out this Eastwood Branch Library, 4500 Montevallo road • 591-4944 YouTube video at http://youtu.be/YLFWc390V9A Friday, February 22, 2013. 10:45 a.m. • For preschool. In this preschool story time, Ms. Cas introduces the concept of history and FEBrUAry explores some stories based on civil rights. One of the stories, based on the book investigating the Civil rights Movement "Almost to Freedom'' by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson, is about a fictional a rag doll North Avondale Branch Library, 501 43rd Street North • 592-2082 found in the Underground Railroad. Wednesday, February 6, 2013. 9:30 a.m. Teenagers will assemble a timeline to highlight events and people from the 1963 Concert with J.D. Jackson Birmingham civil rights movement. The completed art project will be hung in the Five points West Branch Library, 4812 Avenue W. • 226-4015 library. Students can take photos with the timeline. Saturday, February 23, 2013. 2 p.m. Vocalist J. D. Jackson will perform spirituals and other songs. The 24th National African American read-in Smithfield Branch Library, #1 Eighth Avenue West • 324-8428 Miles College Drama Department presents "Crowns'' Wednesday, February 6, 2013. 10 a.m. • Ideal for preschool to first grade. Avondale Branch Library, 509 40th Street South • 226-4002 Make literacy a significant part of Black History Month. Birmingham attorney Monday, February 25, 2013. 6 p.m. • For adults. Eric Guster will read to students and library assistant Candice Hardy will perform. Miles College students will perform excerpts of this play by Regina Taylor. Concert with the Carlton reese Memorial Unity Choir "The Ballad of Birmingham" Birmingham public Library, 2100 park place • 226-3604 Birmingham public Library, Arrington Auditorium, 2100 park place • 226-3604 Wednesday, February 6, 2013. 12 p.m. Wednesday, February 27, 2013. 12 p.m. These choir members marched and demonstrated during Birmingham's civil rights Under the direction of Bobby Stringer, the G.W. Carver High School choir will sing movement. Come hear them express themselves through freedom songs, gospel spirituals and traditional songs from the civil rights movement. The school's drama music and testimonies. This event is part of the library's Brown Bag series. department will perform excerpts from the play "The Ballad of Birmingham.'' This program is part of the library's Brown Bag series. peace for Everyone preschool Story Time Avondale Branch Library, 509 - 40th Street South • 226-4003 presentation on the pictorial Book "A Walk to Freedom" Thursday, February 7, 2013. 9:30 a.m. • For preschool. Smithfield Branch Library, #1 Eighth Avenue West • 324-8428 Join Ms. Cas for a peaceful story time. Thursday, February 28, 2013. 10 a.m. The 1998 book " A Walk to Freedom,'' looks at the roles the Alabama Christian peace for Everyone preschool Story Time Movement for Human Rights and Birmingham played in the civil rights movement. Southside Branch Library, 1814 11th Avenue South • 933-7776 The presentation will look at black churches, newspaper articles and other Friday, February 8, 2013. 9:30-10:15 a.m. • For preschool. key elements from the 1960s. The book was published by the Birmingham Join Ms. Cas and explore peace and diversity through books written by Todd Parr. Historical Society. peace for Everyone preschool Story Time Black History Month Bingo Eastwood Branch Library, 4500 Montevallo road • 591-4944 Springville road Branch Library, 1224 Old Springville road • 226-4083 Friday, February 8, 2013. 10:45-11:45 a.m. • For preschool. Tuesday, February 19, 2013. 4 p.m. Join storyteller Ms. Cas as she explores peace and diversity through wonderful Watch teenagers test their knowledge about well-known and not so well-known books written by Todd Parr. African-American educators. Facts will be provided on a card. Then, a photo of an educator will be shown. Participants must correctly identify the person. Prizes Screening party for "The Color purple'' will be given to the winners. Avondale Branch Library, 509 40th Street South • 226-4000 Sunday, February 10, 2013. 2:30-5 p.m. Family Fun Night: The Life and Times of George Washington Carver Watch this classic on February 10 and come back on Tuesday, February 26 Avondale Branch Library, 509 40th Street South • 226-4003 at 6:30 p.m. to discuss the film and the book. Event is part of the library's Tuesday, February 19, 2013. 6:30 p.m. • For all ages. Adaptations' program, a book club with a cinematic twist. Elinor and Winfield Burks will explore Carver's creations through hands-on www.avondaleadaptations.blogspot.com demonstrations. They will make hand lotion from peanuts; peanut butter from peanuts; and operate a motorized toy with peanut oil. Adinkra Symbols with Toby richards Southside Branch Library, 1814 11th Avenue South • 933-7776 The Sheriff Without A Gun Monday, February 11, 2013. 10:30-11:30 a.m. Five points West Branch Library, 4812 Avenue West • 226-4015 Toby Richards will show adults how to make their own Adinkra cloth. Wednesday, February 20, 2013. 10:30 a.m. Rev. Dr. Thomas E. Gilmore, the first black sheriff elected in Greene County, No place for race Alabama in 1970, will talk about his journey to public office. Because of his belief West End Branch Library, 1241 Tuscaloosa Avenue SW • 226-4089 in nonviolence, he put his weapon aside and became known as the "sheriff Tuesday, February 12, 2013. 6 p.m. • For adults. without a gun.'' He was sheriff for 12 years. An evening of spirituals and songs from the civil rights movement. Lawson State Community College Choir Concert The Alabama Movement Birmingham public Library, Arrington Auditorium, 2100 park place • 226-3604 Five points West Branch Library, 4812 Avenue West • 226-4013 or 226-3604 Wednesday, February 20, 2013. 12 p.m. Wednesday, February 13, 2013. 12 p.m. • For all ages. Under the direction of Bessie H. Shelton, the choir will perform traditional and Enjoy an excerpt from Sixth Avenue Baptist Church's Annual Black History Concert, contemporary gospel songs. They'll also perform spiritual and choral directed by Denna Wilkins. This is part of the Birmingham Public Library's Brown arrangements by famous African-American composers. Event is part of the Bag series. library's Brown Bag series.

Viewing of "return of the King'' Tell Me a Story About My History powderly Branch Library, 3301 Jefferson Avenue SW • 925-6178 Avondale Branch Library, 509 40th Street South • 226-4003 Wednesday, February 13, 2013. 4 p.m. Thursday, February 21, 2013. 9:30 a.m. • For preschool. Students will enjoy this movie about the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. In this preschool story time, Ms. Cas introduces the concept of history and explores some stories based on civil rights. One of the stories, based on the book A Morning with Foot Soldier Gwendolyn Sanders-Gamble "Almost to Freedom'' by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson, is about a fictional rag doll Smithfield Branch Library, #1 Eighth Avenue West • 324-8428 found in the Underground Railroad. Thursday, February 14, 2013. 10 a.m. Mrs. Sanders-Gamble will share her experiences as a child growing up in Alabama School of Fine Arts presents: A Celebration of Black History Month Birmingham. She’ll teach freedom songs and show national news clips of Birmingham public Library Atrium, 2100 park place • 226-3600 demonstrations from the 1960s. Thursday, February 21, 2013. 6:30-8:30 p.m. The school's string orchestra, jazz ensemble and choir will give performances inspired and written by African-American composers. Kimberly Scott, Robert Janssen and Laura Doss are the directors. The night will be rich with entertainment