I recently visited family in Alabama. From there, Mom and I took a road trip to Atlanta for a few days. On the way home, I wanted to drive through Birmingham and find a library to visit. The Library in the Forest sounded like one we should not miss.

Many of the library’s areas were busy while we were there. I avoid taking photos with patrons, and so there are no pictures here of the teen and children’s areas on the lower level and some other spaces. However, I think the photos below will give you a good sense of how beautiful and open to the forest this library is.

Designed for people and the environment

The Vestavia Hills Library in the Forest opened in 2010, and it still seems brand new. It is the first LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified library in Alabama. This 35,000 square-foot library sits on nine acres of forested land. You can read about its history on the library’s website.

The front entrance. Note the “Book Drop Only” parking space to the right. Love that.

Book and AV return.

Looking inside from the foyer. Through these doors, the circulation desk is to the right, the stairwell is to the left, and straight ahead is a comfortable seating area. Beyond that is a lovely outdoor space.

Frog sculpture in the comfy reading area.

These two happy frogs embody how enjoyable reading to kids can be.

What are they reading, you ask? Shakespeare! The engraving on the page reads, “We know what we are, but not what we may be.” From Hamlet, Act 4, Scene 5.

A view from the third floor. That’s my mom sitting next to the frogs. From here, you can better see the outdoor space and tables. The heat index was over 100 degrees the day we visited, so anyone who went outside did not stay out there very long.

The deck sits atop a lower-level room that juts out into space in the same shape. Notice the patio space way below.

The other side of the deck and lower level. More umbrella’d seating below.

To the left of the comfy seating area is an even cozier space with a fireplace. Along the windows behind the fireplace is some high-top table workspace.

High-top study space and cloth-covered private carrels. To the left of this are AV materials and periodicals.

Sadly, the Friends of the Library Bookstore was closed. It was probably a good thing considering I flew from Connecticut and had only one carry-on-sized suitcase.

As you can see from the directory, this library has a lot to offer its patrons.

These work tables and study carrels are to the right of the reading frogs and the circulation desk. The natural light and forest view are soothing yet invigorating. On the right is the beginning of a run of bookstacks.

Of course I checked out Cather on the shelf: My Antonia for the win in both the regular print and large print sections.

I’ve seen exercise equipment in a college library, but if my memory is correct, this was the first time seeing an elliptical or exercise bike at a public library. Just to the right of these machines is a large computer education lab.

This is the view from the end of the book stacks looking toward the back of the circulation desk. Behind me are study rooms. To the left are computer stations. Note the natural light coming in from the high windows.

Back at circulation. Straight ahead are stairs leading up to the second floor or down to the lower level.

At the top of the stairs on the third floor, looking out onto the terrace. To the left are the main library stacks; to the right are more study rooms.

What a lovely outdoor space. I imagine it gets lots of use on cooler days.

At the far end of the terrace looking back toward the door from which the prior photo was taken.

Slideshow

Below is a slideshow featuring six examples of circular information signs that are scattered throughout the building. They highlight architectural details and how these design choices benefit humans and our environment.

And now we head back outside.

That’s my mom! She’s always up for a library visit. Extra kudos to the library for having coffee.

A side view. Stone, siding, and magnolia. Utilities are hidden behind the stone walls.

A lovely walkway leads to the back of the building.

This photo was taken from the top of the stairs that lead up to Montgomery Highway. Just down the block from here is a pedestrian bridge that crosses the highway to the sports complex on the other side.

I personally think all libraries are worth a visit, but the Library in the Forest is an amazing place. Do stop in and check it out if you’re in the area. I did not want to leave, and if we ever make it back in cooler weather, we’ll hit some of the hiking trails out back.

Library in the Forest
1221 Montgomery Hwy
Vestavia Hills, AL 35216
http://www.vestavialibrary.org

Date visited: August 11, 2026

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