Digital Collections
Before their stunning quilts became a national treasure, the people of Gee's Bend shared a unique history and culture that was cultivated in isolation over time. From the early 1800s until WWII, the remote community was secluded in a deep bend of the Alabama River in rural Wilcox County. Gradual changes after the war accelerated in the 1960s, and in 1980-81, the Birmingham Public Library undertook a project to preserve the record of Gee's Bend in photographs, recordings, and oral histories. This digital collection includes some of the 450 images that photographer John Reese captured for the exhibit Looking Back at Gee's Bend.
Databases
Full-Text Journals and
Magazines
Databases (listed by subject)
Databases (listed by name)
Local Interest Databases & Collections
BPL Digital Collections
BPL Digital Collections Subject Browser
BPL Local Databases
Local Interest
Database Collection
Local Genealogy Indexes
Downloadables
Freegal Music - Unlimited Music Streaming-- FREE
Freegal Music Service include millions of songs from ten thousand labels including the labels of Sony Music Entertainment. Stream or download music. Music streaming is unlimited. The Freegal Music downloaded files are DRM-FREE, Mp3 files that can be played on any device (including iPods). Even better, the downloaded music file is yours to keep with no due date and no expiration date.
There is a limit of 3 music downloads per week per valid card number.
The service is restricted to Birmingham city residents with active library cards.
Libby (app) - The
free Libby app (formally Overdrive) is the easiest way to get
started with digital books, audiobooks, and magazines. Libby is
available for Android 5.0+, iOS 10+, and Fire OS 5+, If you have a
Windows computer, Mac computer, or a Chromebook, you can use Libby
in your web browser at
libbyapp.com. We suggest using the latest version of Chrome,
Safari, Firefox, or Edge.
Libby help website.
Libby (browser/computer) - The free
Libby app (formally Overdrive) is the easiest way to get started
with digital books, audiobooks, and magazines. Libby is available
for Android 5.0+, iOS 10+, and Fire OS 5+, If you have a Windows
computer, Mac computer, or a Chromebook, you can use Libby in your
web browser at libbyapp.com.
We suggest using the latest version of Chrome, Safari, Firefox, or
Edge. Libby help website.
Kanopy
- Kanopy is an on-demand streaming video platform for public and academic libraries that offers films, TV shows, and documentaries.
There are over 30,000 films featuring over 1,000 producers including Criterion Collection, Media Education Foundation, Great Courses, Kino Lorber, etc.
The service is restricted to Birmingham city residents with active library cards.
Hoopla
- Hoopla is a web and mobile library media streaming platform for audio books, comics, e-books, movies, music, and TV.
Includes hundreds of thousands of movies, full music albums, audiobooks, and more From Hollywood blockbusters to best selling artists and authors – not just the hits, but the niche and hard-to-find as well.
Simple to access and use, without the hassle of having to return the items you've borrowed, all you need is your library card, a web browser, smart phone or tablet to get started.
The service is restricted to Birmingham city residents with active library cards.