Birmingham Library Hours 2026
⚡ Quick Actions - Birmingham Library
Helpful links for Birmingham library visitors. Always verify current hours before visiting.
Birmingham Library Branches
Branch Location
Address: 509 40th Street South, Birmingham, AL 35222
Phone: (205) 226-4000
A key regional branch serving the vibrant Avondale entertainment district and surrounding neighborhoods.
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday - Friday | 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM |
| Saturday | 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
Branch Location
Address: 4812 Avenue W, Birmingham, AL 35208
Phone: (205) 226-4013
Serving the Five Points West community with strong children's programming and community meeting spaces.
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday - Friday | 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM |
| Saturday | 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
Branch Location
Address: 5765 1st Avenue North, Birmingham, AL 35212
Phone: (205) 226-4004
Community-focused branch with workforce development resources and ESL programs.
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday - Friday | 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM |
| Saturday | 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
Branch Location
Address: 2501 31st Avenue North, Birmingham, AL 35207
Phone: (205) 226-4025
Neighborhood branch serving North Birmingham with family programs and digital literacy classes.
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday - Friday | 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM |
| Saturday | 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
Branch Location
Address: 5816 1st Avenue North, Birmingham, AL 35212
Phone: (205) 226-4070
Historic branch in the Woodlawn community with children's story time and homework help programs.
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday - Friday | 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM |
| Saturday | 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
Branch Location
Address: 1224 Old Springville Road, Birmingham, AL 35215
Phone: (205) 226-4081
Eastern branch serving the Roebuck and surrounding communities.
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday - Friday | 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM |
| Saturday | 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
About Birmingham Libraries
Location & Contact
Address: 1700 University Boulevard, Birmingham, AL 35294
Phone: (205) 934-6364
The Mervyn H. Sterne Library is UAB's main library, featuring extensive health sciences collections, digital media labs, and the Reynolds-Finley Historical Library with rare medical texts. As a major research university, UAB offers one of the most comprehensive academic libraries in the Southeast.
| Day | Academic Year | Summer/Breaks |
|---|---|---|
| Monday - Thursday | 7:30 AM - 12:00 AM | 7:30 AM - 9:00 PM |
| Friday | 7:30 AM - 6:00 PM | 7:30 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Saturday | 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM | Closed |
| Sunday | 1:00 PM - 12:00 AM | Closed |
Note: 24-hour access available during finals week for UAB students with valid BlazerID.
Location & Contact
Address: 1700 University Boulevard, LHL 102, Birmingham, AL 35294
Phone: (205) 934-2230
Alabama's primary health sciences library, serving medical, nursing, dentistry, and public health students. Houses extensive clinical resources and medical databases.
| Monday - Friday | 7:30 AM - 11:00 PM |
| Saturday | 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Sunday | 1:00 PM - 11:00 PM |
Branch Location
Address: 800 Lakeshore Drive, Birmingham, AL 35229
Phone: (205) 726-2748
Samford's main library serves Alabama's largest private university with strong collections in religion, law, pharmacy, and education. The beautiful campus setting makes it a pleasant study environment.
| Monday - Thursday | 7:30 AM - 12:00 AM |
| Friday | 7:30 AM - 6:00 PM |
| Saturday | 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM |
| Sunday | 2:00 PM - 12:00 AM |
Location & Contact
Address: 900 Arkadelphia Road, Birmingham, AL 35254
Phone: (205) 226-4740
Liberal arts college library with strong humanities collections and personalized research support.
| Monday - Thursday | 8:00 AM - 11:00 PM |
| Friday | 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Saturday | 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM |
| Sunday | 2:00 PM - 11:00 PM |
About Birmingham Libraries
- Civil Rights Research: Central Library's Southern History Department has one of the nation's best Civil Rights Movement archives, including Birmingham campaign photographs and documents from the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing.
- Genealogy Hub: The Linn-Henley Research Library specializes in Alabama and Southern genealogy. Staff can help trace family history back to early settlement records.
- Medical Research: UAB Lister Hill Library is open to the public for health information research. Reference librarians can help navigate medical databases and consumer health resources.
- Free Parking: Central Library has free parking in the adjacent garage. Most branch libraries also offer free parking lots.
- Summer Reading: BPL's summer reading program is one of Alabama's largest, with prizes and special events at all branches from June through August.
Birmingham Library Services
Birmingham's public libraries are run by the local council and offer free access to books, computers, WiFi, and a wide range of community services. The UK library tradition stretches back to the Public Libraries Act of 1850, making British libraries some of the oldest public lending institutions in the world.
Finals Period Hours
Birmingham's libraries are deeply woven into the city's cultural fabric. Council-run and free to use, they provide a welcoming space for everyone — from students revising for exams to pensioners attending reading groups. Many branches occupy historic buildings that are architectural landmarks in their own right, blending heritage with modern digital services.
Free Library Cards
Joining is free and open to everyone living, working, or studying in the area. Bring proof of your name and address (a utility bill, bank statement, or driving licence) to any branch and staff will issue your card immediately. Many UK library systems now let you join online and start borrowing eBooks straight away through apps like BorrowBox or Libby.
Digital Resources
Beyond borrowing books, Birmingham libraries provide free public computers with internet access, printing and photocopying facilities, children's Rhyme Time and story sessions, reading groups for adults, and access to ancestry and local history archives. Many branches also host Code Clubs for young people, offer free health and wellbeing information, and serve as warm spaces during winter months.
Visitor Tip: If you hold a library card from another UK council, ask about reciprocal borrowing arrangements. Many library authorities honour cards from neighbouring councils. Also check for Saturday opening hours, as these tend to be shorter than weekdays, and Sunday opening varies widely between branches.
Did you know? The UK has over 3,000 public libraries, and they are visited approximately 200 million times per year. Despite funding challenges, British libraries remain the most-used public service after the NHS, and Birmingham's branches continue to be a vital part of the community.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Birmingham Central Library hours?
Birmingham Central Library at 2100 Park Place North is open Tuesday-Saturday 9am-6pm. The library is closed on Sundays and Mondays.
Is UAB Sterne Library open to the public?
UAB Sterne Library welcomes community visitors during regular hours. Public access is available for in-library use, though borrowing requires a UAB ID or community borrower card.
Which Birmingham library has the longest hours?
UAB Sterne Library has the longest hours, open until midnight during the academic year. For public libraries, Central Library and Avondale have the most consistent hours with Saturday availability.
Does Birmingham Public Library have free WiFi?
Yes, all 19 Birmingham Public Library branches offer free WiFi access. No library card is required to use WiFi services, and outdoor WiFi is available at most locations.
