Museum Visit
Library Visit
Visit the public library during normal operating hours; the building is fully open to the public and accessible.
- Duration:
- 45 min
Photo coming soon
Museum / Historical Site
Homewood Public Library
Suburban Birmingham public library housed in a former Church of Christ building remodeled for library use in 1987, where decades of staff and patron reports have built a documented reputation for paranormal activity.
1721 Oxmoor Road, Homewood, AL 35209
Wheelchair Accessible
Research-Backed · 4sources
Age
All Ages
Cost
Free
Free public library; ghost tours may carry a fundraiser fee.
Access
Wheelchair OK
Single-level public building with accessible parking and entrances.
Equipment
Photos OK
Est. 1987 · Adaptive reuse of a former Church of Christ building completed in 1987 · Among the largest suburban Birmingham public libraries by circulation
The Homewood Public Library traces its institutional roots to 1964, when the City of Homewood established a public library to serve its growing suburban Birmingham population. After two earlier locations, the city purchased the former Homewood Church of Christ building at 1721 Oxmoor Road in 1984 and engaged architects Paul and Walter Anderton, working with Sherrod Construction, to convert the church into a library. The new facility opened on March 1, 1987.
Before the church occupied the site in the 1960s, public records indicate a small farmhouse once stood on the parcel. The current library building retains the basic footprint and some structural features of the former church, including elements of the original sanctuary now used as program and study space.
A major renovation began in 1996 and concluded with a grand reopening on April 16, 1998. The library has since undergone smaller updates and, in September 2025, announced a further round of renovations. The library now operates a full public-library program with children's, teen, and adult collections, and has become a community gathering place for events.
Sources
- https://www.bhamwiki.com/w/Homewood_Public_Library
- https://thehomewoodstar.com/news/the-homewood-haunted-library-staff-shares-stories-of-spooky-encounters-in-the-public-library/
- https://homewoodpubliclibrary.org/
- https://thehomewoodstar.com/peopleplaces/ghost-hunters-to-scan-for-paranormal-activity-at-homewood920/
Disembodied women's voicesBooks flying off shelvesDoors slamming open and shut on their ownLights flickeringLaughter and conversation reported in the basementUnexplained 'Amen' response captured during a mock sermon
Since the library's 1987 opening in the former Church of Christ building, library staff and patrons have reported paranormal activity. The Homewood Star, CBS 42, and IBTimes have all covered the stories, and the library itself embraces the lore through scheduled ghost tours and paranormal-investigation events (Homewood Star; CBS 42; IBTimes).
Reports collected by staff over decades include disembodied women's voices, the sound of women laughing and talking in the basement, books flying off shelves, doors slamming open and shut on their own, lights flickering, and unexplained cold pockets. Activity is reported to have peaked during the 1990s renovation campaign, when the building was under construction (Homewood Star; Southern Spirit Guide; US Ghost Adventures).
Library Director Judith Wright has spoken on the record about the activity. 'We're haunted and this place is as creepy as can be at night,' Wright told The Homewood Star, adding, 'We just think of those spirits as a part of our Homewood Library.' Wright is also said to have spent a night in the building during the renovation and reported personal experiences (Homewood Star).
A viral TikTok in 2022 brought new attention to the site, prompting the library to revive its pre-pandemic ghost tour program as a fundraiser, in partnership with the local investigation group S.C.A.R.E. of Alabama (IBTimes; CBS 42). Investigators reportedly recorded an unexplained 'Amen' response during a mock sermon held in the former sanctuary space (Southern Spirit Guide).
Notable Entities
Multiple women's voices (no individual named)
Media Appearances
- Alan Brown, 'Haunted Birmingham' (book)
- The Homewood Star (multiple features)
- CBS 42 local news coverage
- Viral TikTok feature (2022)
Plan Your Visit
2 ways to experience Guided Tour Booking Required
Homewood Library Ghost Tour
Scheduled fundraiser ghost tours led by library staff with local paranormal investigators (formerly S.C.A.R.E. of Alabama), held in the evening when the building is closed to the public.
- Duration:
- 1.5 hr
Sources & Further Reading
Every HauntBound history is researched from documented sources. We clearly separate verified historical fact from paranormal folklore.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Homewood Public Library family-friendly?
Family-friendly public library with whimsical ghost-tour programming. Tour content suitable for middle-school age and up. Overall family fit: High.
How much does it cost to visit Homewood Public Library?
Free public library; ghost tours may carry a fundraiser fee. This location is free to visit.
Do I need to book in advance?
No advance booking is required, but checking availability is recommended.
Is Homewood Public Library wheelchair accessible?
Yes, Homewood Public Library is wheelchair accessible. Terrain: Single-level public building with accessible parking and entrances..