Pony rides for the first time ever at the library!

We want to thank Chick-fil-A for providing the cold lemonade to enjoy after the rides!

Don't Miss our Fantastic Summer Reading Kick Off!

On June 7^th at 10:30 a.m. we will be kicking off our summer reading program with a world-class program by Liang, the Chinese Acrobat.

Liang, a native of Wuhan, China, is one of the county's greatest acrobatic talents. She began studying dance, gymnastics, and acrobatics at the age of 4 with the world-renowned "Wuhan Acrobatic Troupe". Liang traveled the world with this group to venues in France, Germany, Switzerland, Israel, Indonesia, South Korea, and Malaysia. She was awarded two gold medals for excellence in acrobatic competitions in Paris and her native China. Recently she was a featured guest on "America's Got Talent" and "The Today Show".

Summer readers who registered and picked up their bag prior to the program will be admitted first. Please register, pick up your bag, and get ready for a breathtaking show!

Click here to register.

Photos from "In Her Own Fashion" performed by Dolores Hydock

Dolores Hydock

In Her Own Fashion
written and performed by
Dolores Hydock
from the stories of
Ninette Griffith
Friday, May 13 & Saturday, May 14, 2011
Homewood Public Library Auditorium
Hors d’oeuvres buffet
by Christian Catering Co.

Christian Catering Company's excellent buffet

ladies from Homewood Senior Center and the Director

Dolores Hydock

At Home: A Short History of Private Life - Bill Bryson

If you enjoy Bill Bryson’s travel books, there’s plenty to enjoy in At Home: a Short History of Private Life. Doubleday, 2010. Call Number: 909 BRY

Bryson, discovering a small door leading nowhere, on the roof of his own home, a former Church of England rectory, built in 1851, looks at the fascinating history of his house and the contents, room by room. He examines everyday things, glass windows, salt and pepper, ice, mouse traps, indoor plumbing, and upholstered furniture. This is the extraordinary story of how everyday life at home evolved, relationships between people and the space they occupy, their possessions, how far we have come and how we got here. Bryson’s wry humor leads us from flammable hoop skirts, and very unsanitary kitchens, to cookbooks, house servants, and regular mealtimes.

Assistance for Tornado Survivors, Ways to Help, and Job Opportunities

We have resources! (Updated 5-8-11)


Assistance for Tornado Survivors, Ways to Help, and Job Opportunities

Jefferson County, Alabama

Get a downloadable list (PDF) here.

Call 2-1-1 in Alabama for assistance/information of any kind.
En español: HICA helpline 866-502-4422; La Casita:

FEMA/Federal Emergency Management Agency (www.fema.gov)
800-621-3362 / TTY 800-462-7585

The FEMA disaster recovery centers In Jefferson County are located at:
- Union Hill Baptist Church, 7049 Taylors Ferry Road, Bessemer, Ala.
- National Guard Armory, 140 Cane Creek Road, Warrior, Ala.
- In front of the Ashley Furniture Store on Lowery Parkway in Fultondale, Ala.

Jefferson County Emergency Management Agency
205-254-2039

Alabama Possible website - Alabama tornado relief: How you can help (http://alabamapossible.org/2011/04/tornado-relief-how-you-can-help)

Alabama Department of Insurance
800-433-3966

Major Insurance Co. Claims Departments
- State Farm 800-732-5246
- ALFA 800-964-2532
- Allstate 800-255-7828
- Farmers 800-435-7764
- USAA 800-531-8722
- Cotton States 866-714-6902
- Auto Owners 517-323-1200
- Geico (auto) 800-861-8380
- Progressive 800-776-4737
- Travelers 800-252-4633
- Nationwide 800-421-3535

Social Security Benefits
800-772-1213 / 800-325-0778 (TTY)

Red Cross
800-Help Now

Salvation Army
205-328-5656

Lost & Found Pet Hotline
205-397-8534

Alabama Power Residential Customer Service
800-245-2244

Alagasco
- To report a gas leak, line break, etc. 800-292-4008
- Customer Service 800-292-4008

Birmingham Water Works Board
205-244-4000

Alabama Dept. of Public Safety (http://dps.alabama.gov)
Get duplicate or renewed driver licenses destroyed in the storms
334-242-4400 (Menu Option)

Volunteer Opportunities
- Hands on Birmingham 2-1-1
- Salvation Army 205-328-2420

Tornado Recovery Jobs
- Alabama Joblink (https://joblink.alabama.gov)
- Birmingham Career Center 205-254-1300
- Lawson State Community College Bessemer Campus 205-929-3501 

Other resources:

- Al.com "Alabama Tornadoes: How you can help victims of Wednesday's deadly storms (updated)"
- Al.com "Alabama Woman's Facebook Page Reconnects Tornado Victims with Personal Items"

Easter Bunny Storytime April 21, 2011

One World, Many Stories - Summer Reading 2011

Online registration starts Sunday, May 15!

You do not want to miss Summer Reading in the Children's Dept. this year! Our theme is "One World, Many Stories" and will begin on Tuesday, June 7 at 10:30 am and run through Tuesday, July 26 at 10:30 am for kids in pre-school through 5th grade.

Summer reading is a great way to help preschoolers learn early literacy skills, school age children and teens avoid the "summer slide" and for adults to model the joy of reading to their children.

Our emphasis is to:

    Motivate children to read or be read to
    Develop positive attitudes about reading
    Enable children to maintain and improve their reading skills
    Encourage children to read for pleasure during the summer

More information will be coming soon! In the meantime, check the online calendar to see the great events we have planned for your child beginning in June!

Have a great summer!