The Garden of Alcatraz & Parks for the People

Summer Reading is winding down, but school isn't quite ready to start.  It's the perfect time to seek out various green spaces around town . . . and to read about them, too.

The Gardener of Alcatraz by Emma Bland Smith (04/05/22)
When Elliott Michener was locked away in Alcatraz for counterfeiting, he was determined to defy the odds and bust out. But when he got a job tending the prison garden, a funny thing happened. He found new interests and skills–and a sense of dignity and fulfillment. Elliott transformed Alcatraz Island, and the island transformed him.  Told with empathy and a storyteller’s flair, Elliott’s story is funny, touching, and unexpectedly relevant. Back matter about the history of Alcatraz and the US prison system today invites meaningful discussion.

Parks for the People: How Frederick Law Olmsted Designed America by Elizabeth Partridge (04/05/22)
Nobody could get Frederick Law Olmsted to sit still. He was filled with energy, adventure, and dreams of changing the world. As a boy, he found refuge in the peace and calm of nature, and later as an adult, he dreamed of designing and creating access to parks for a growing and changing America. When New York City held a contest for the best park design for what would become Central Park, Olmsted won and became the father of landscape architecture. He went on to design parks across America, including Yosemite National Park and even the grounds for the United States Capitol.  This scenic biography is lavishly illustrated by Becca Stadtlander, and National Book Award finalist Elizabeth Partridge brings her renowned lyricism and meticulous research to the visionary who brought parks to the people.

Target Age

It's time for books and blitzes at Hoover Public Library!  Football Family Fun is coming to the Plaza on Saturday, August 5, 2023 from 1-4 p.m.  Test your skill with a football toss, a football video game, or play the blast-from

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Summer Reading 2023 is coming to an end!  Don't miss your chance to finish up your reading logs, redeem your prizes, and enter the raffle drawings!  You have until 9 p.m. Read More...
Are you a fan of Miles Morales and the Spider-Man multiverse?  Have you seen the new movie?  Have you heard that the library is hosting an event to celebrate?  Head Into the Library-Verse in the Kid Zone this Saturday Read More...

Summer Reading is winding down, and school is just around the corner.  And the library is hosting two events for students that are entering a milestone year!

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Our sixth and final week of Summer Reading shows brings another new act to our Library Theatre stage!  Beat'n Path Rhythm Events is a family-fun celebration of rhythm, story and song with percussionist Dave Holland.  Get ready to

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Our fifth week of Summer Reading shows welcomes more newcomers to the Library Theatre stage!  New to us, now -- NOT new to wowing large audiences.  Tapping into their GRAMMY-winning original catalog from rapper and hip hop artist Secret Agent 23 Skidoo,

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Celebrate community helpers at our upcoming Day of Play on Saturday, July 8, 2023!  Visit the Kid Zone anytime from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and explore a variety of imaginative play stations.  

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Since the library is closed on Tuesday, July 4, 2023 for Independence Day, we will not be hosting a performer that week.  But fear not!  We will still have something fun happening in our Library Theatre!  We'll be showing a couple of movies on the big screen -- recent releases based on popular ch

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