The Public Libraries of Birmingham/Jefferson County the READER

VOL. 10, NO. 1   FEBRUARY, MARCH, APRIL 2000

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New customer services are coming from the public libraries of Jefferson County. The Jefferson County Library Cooperative is the first public library system in Alabama to send patrons email notices for overdue materials. Library users whose library card records include their email addresses will be the first to participate in this new and efficient notification system. These notices will list each overdue item with author, title, date due, and library from which it was borrowed. Library users may visit any public library in Jefferson County to update their records with their email addresses and become a part of this innovative new service.

Library users who do not have email or who do not wish to receive email notification will receive pre-recorded telephone messages Now is a good time to make sure your home telephone number and address are current. This home telephone message will not identify the individual who has overdue materials and will not provide detailed information regarding the specific overdue items. However, the message will supply an alert that someone at the telephone number called has overdue library books, recordings, videos, etc. Messages will be left on home answering machines or in voice mail when applicable. Library users who receive these messages may call their local library to determine what materials need to be returned. For quicker service the caller should have their library card in hand. In many instances, library users may renew their overdue materials by telephoning the Renewals Hotline at 226-3790.

Telephone renewals are available to all JCLC cardholders during library hours and are suitable for most materials, including those that are already overdue. Online renewals at www.jclc.org are accessible 24 hours a day, but the online service may be used only for materials that are not overdue.

Email or telephone may not reach everyone. In these cases or when mail notification is requested, printed reminders of overdue materials will be mailed.

These improvements are part of the continuing effort by the public libraries of Jefferson County to work together to provide library materials and services throughout the county regardless of individual municipal governments and boundaries. Visit your local library to find out more details about these new services.

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PRATT CITY Electronic Filing for Income Tax Volunteers from the Internal Revenue Service will be at the Pratt City Branch Library Every Saturday Jan 29 – Apr. 15 from 9:00 am 1:00 pm to provide electronic filing of your 1999 Income Tax Returns. This is a free service, no registration required.			Home Education Fair  At Homewood Library
Young Author's Publishing Conference for 3rd - 5th Graders Saturday, April 8, 9:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. Homewood Library Registration is required.  Many young people can write; but how do they get that writing published?  At this workshop, there will be magazine editors, book publishers, and many examples and tips on what comes next.  Call (205) 877-8666.		Saturday, March 4, 10:00 – 5:00.  A Home Education Fair for Home Educators and those who think they might want to be.  There will be examples of different types of materials, speakers, and workshops throughout the day.  For more details call (205) 802-6434.
Jacqueline Anderson Matte, Alabama Author Homewood Public Library, Thursday April 6, 7:00 p.m. Join us for a pre Festival of Arts program. Mrs. Matte will be discussing her book,  THEY SAY THE WIND IS RED: The Alabama Choctaw: Lost In Their Own Land. Come and listen to the stories of our own Alabama Indians.
Southern Voices 2000 - Feb. 25 - 27 Hoover Public Library  Mystery and Suspense Southern Style - The Library Theatre - Feb. 25, F, 7-9 p.m. Authors include Nora DeLoach (Mama Rocks the Empty Cradle), Anne George (Murder Shoots the Bull), Mike Stewart (Sins of the Brother), Cecelia Tishy (Cryin’ Time), Steven Womack (Murder Manual) and Mary Manhein (The Bone Lady). Book signings and light refreshments. Authors’ Conference - The Library Theatre - Feb. 26, Sa, 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Registration 8:30 a.m. Authors include Shannon Ravenel (New Stories from the South), Tony Earley (Here We Are in Paradise), Tom Franklin (Poachers), Peter Guralnick (Careless Love), Andrew Manis (A Fire You Can’t Put Out), Leah Rawls Atkins (John M. Harbert III), Judy Goldman (The Slow Way Back), Steve Yarbrough (Oxygen Man), P. S. Wall (If I Were a Man, I’d Marry Me) and Melinda Haynes (Mother of Pearl). Books signings and barbecue lunch provided. Cottonpatch Gospel - The Library Theatre - Feb. 27, Su, 2:30 p.m. & 7 p.m. A retelling of the nativity set in 1936 Georgia. Written and performed by Birmingham native Tom Key. On Exhibit: Fiber Art (art quilts) by Donna Leigh Jackins—Artist Reception - Friends’ Gallery, Lower Level - Feb. 24, Th, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Free and open to the public. Ticket Sales: Full Conference $65; Friday (only) $25; Saturday Conference (only) $35; Sunday Cottonpatch (only) $12 Tickets go on sale Jan. 10.  For tickets, call The Library Theatre Box Office at (205) 444-7888.

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