Skip to main content
Birmingham Public Library Logo
  • Home
    • About the Library
      Our library is a place to discover, learn, and connect.
    • Hours & Locations
      Plan a visit - there's always a welcoming space near you.
    • Calendar
      Join us for programs, classes, and special events.
    • News
      Stay updated with the latest news and events.
    • Support the Library
      Your support truly makes all the difference for our library.
    • Rules & Policies
      Help keep our spaces welcoming and safe for everyone.

    Our Mission

    The mission of the Birmingham Public Library is to provide the highest quality experience to our community for lifelong learning, cultural enrichment and enjoyment.

    Learn More About Our Mission

    • Ask-A-Librarian
      Have a question? Our librarians are here to help you find answers.
    • Borrowing
      Borrow books, movies, and more. Explore everything our library has to offer.
    • Meeting Rooms
      Reserve a meeting room for your next group, class, or community event.
    • Technology
      Access computers, Wi-Fi, printing, and digital tools at our library.
    • Passports
      Apply for your U.S. passport at our library; it's convenient and easy.
    • Outreach
      Our outreach brings library services and programs directly to you.

    Library Services

    Discover all the ways our library can help you thrive. From books and digital resources to technology, meeting spaces, and engaging programs for all ages, we're here to support your learning, creativity, and community connections every step of the way.

    Learn More About Library Services

  • Catalog
  • Databases
  • Get A Library Card
    • Archives
      Explore our archives for rare documents, photos, and local history treasures.
    • Ask A Librarian
      Have a question? Our librarians are here to help you find answers.
    • Best Sellers Club
      Join our Best Sellers Club and never miss the latest popular books.
    • Bookstore
      Shop our bookstore for great deals on gently used books and more.
    • BPL Mobile
      Visit our BPL Mobile for library services and events on the go.
    • Calendar
      Join us for programs, classes, and special events.
    • Databases
      Explore our extensive databases for research and learning.
    • Digital Library
      Access a ton of digital resources, like eBooks, audiobooks, and more.
    • Genealogy
      Explore your family history with our genealogy resources.
    • Homework Help
      Get assistance with homework and study resources.
    • Jobs
      Explore job opportunities and career resources.
    • Local Authors
      Interested in becoming a local author? Learn how to share your work.
    • My Account
      Manage your library account, including renewals and holds.
    • Programs
      Join us for programs, classes, and special events.
    • Resources
      Explore our extensive databases for research and learning.
    • Volunteer
      Support your community by volunteering at the library.
  • Contact
Birmingham Public Library - Virtual Library - Subject Resources - Homelessness
Recently Added Resources
Homelessness
 
Search Subject Resources
Subject Resource Pages
  • Arts, Entertainment & Recreation
    • Architecture & Interior Design
    • Art & Design
    • Crafts & Hobbies
    • Sports & Recreation
  • Business, Government & Law
    • Elections and Voting
    • Grants and Fundraising
    • Job Searching, Resume Writing, and Career Development
    • Legal Self Help
    • Nonprofit Organizations
    • Personal Finance
    • Small Business Resource Guide
  • Community, News & Special Interest
    • Birmingham Communities
    • Birmingham Travel & Attractions
    • Data & Demographics
    • Homelessness
    • Library Neighborhoods
    • Local Health Organizations
    • Local Hospitals
  • Family, Relationships & Society
    • Bullying
    • Disabilities
    • Internet Safety
    • Parenting
  • Health & Wellness
    • ADD/ADHD
    • Breast Cancer
    • Cancer
    • Diabetes
    • Drug Addiction
    • Heart Disease
    • Medicare
    • Mental Health
    • Nutrition
    • Opioids Crisis, Electronic Links
    • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
  • History, Geography & Genealogy
    • 1940 Federal Census
    • 9/11
    • Alabama Inventors
    • American Civil War
    • Early Virginia Sources
    • Genealogy
    • Genealogy for Kids
    • Hispanic Heritage
    • Irish Ancestry/Genealogy
    • Jewish Heritage
    • Selected Resources for Alabama Counties
    • United States History
    • Using Gov Docs in Genealogy
  • Home & Garden
    • Calculators for Weekend Projects
    • Food & Drink
    • Moving and Relocation
  • Literacy, Education & Outreach
    • Financial Aid for Students
    • GED Test Preparation
  • Literature, Language & Philosophy
    • Fiction
    • Language
    • Literature Analytics
    • Mythology
    • Philosophy
    • Poetry
    • World Religions
    • Writing, Writers' Groups, & Workshops
  • Science & Technology
    • Astronomy
    • Blogs & Blogging
    • Botany
    • Chemistry
    • Climate Change
    • Computers
    • Earth Sciences
    • Human Anatomy
    • Mathematics
    • Patents and Trademarks
    • Physics
    • Science
    • Zoology
General Database Links
  • Databases by Name
  • Electronic Journals
Subjects last updated on Jul. 21, 2023.
Homelessness RSS
Guide Sections
  • Summary
  • Overview
  • Local Resources
  • National Resources
  • Databases
Guide Information
Last Updated
Dec. 15, 2021
Comments
Databases
Birmingham News
Description
Search the Birmingham News Archives from 1993 - today. Find full-text articles on local news, issues, events, people and much more from current and archived issues of the Birmingham News. Updated daily, it includes obituaries, editorials, announcements, sports, real estate and other sections. Read the paper in the original PDF or find content that was only published on the web. Available from inside the library or from home.
Availability
Requires a JCLC card and residence in Birmingham, AL.
CQ Researcher
Description
The award-winning The CQ Researcher explores a single "hot" issue in the news in depth each week. Topics range from social and teen issues to environment, health, education and science and technology. There are 44 reports produced each year including four expanded reports.
Availability
Requires a JCLC card and residence in Birmingham, AL.
EBSCO MasterFILE Premier
Description
This multidisciplinary database provides full text for more than 1,700 general reference publications with information dating as far back as 1975. Covering virtually every subject area of general interest, MasterFILE also includes full text reference books, biographies, primary source documents, and an image collection of over 200,000 photos and maps.
Availability
Requires a JCLC card.
Tutorials
Video Tutorial  Video tutorial by BPL on YouTube (length 3:50)
General OneFile
Description
Millions of full-text magazine articles on business, computers, current events, economics, education, environmental issues, health care, hobbies, humanities, law, literature, art, politics, science, social science, sports, technology, etc. Images. Updated daily. Find articles by topic, relevance, or keyword. Features allow narrowing subjects with more specific subdivisions, limiting results by date or to a specific publication, broadening search to expanded subdivisions, or selecting only articles having full text.
Availability
Requires a JCLC card.
Tutorials
Video Tutorial - Basic Search  Video tutorial by BPL on YouTube (length 3:11)
Opposing Viewpoints In Context
Description
This source draws on the acclaimed social issues series published by Greenhaven Press, as well as core reference content from other Gale and Macmillan Reference USA sources to provide a complete one-stop source for information on social issues. Access viewpoint articles, topic overviews, statistics, primary documents, links to websites, and full-text magazine and newspaper articles.
Availability
Requires a JCLC card.
Student Research Center
Description
This database provides middle and high school students with the most appropriate research tools for easily obaining information tailored for their specific needs. Users can pre-select which types of content sources to search, narrow their results by topic heading and Lexile reading level, and make use of an online dictionary and encyclopedia.
Availability
Requires a JCLC card.
Page Last Modified: 3/2/2026 11:12 AM

Birmingham Public Library

2100 Park Place
Birmingham, AL 35203

Phone: 205-226-3600

About BPL

  • Hours & Locations
  • Jobs
  • Contact

Books & Materials

  • Catalog
  • Archives
  • Genealogy

Services

  • Ask-A-Librarian
  • Meeting Rooms
  • Outreach

Programs

  • Calendar
  • News
  • Book a Program

Digital Library

  • Databases
  • Subject Resources
  • Digital Collections

Copyright © 2026 Birmingham Public Library. All rights reserved.