Southern Exposure in JCLC 2025

New Southern Exposure DVDs donated to all Jefferson County Library locations

For Immediate Release:
September 10, 2025

Contact:
Tobin Cataldo, executive director, Jefferson County Library Cooperative: [email protected], (205) 226-3615
Cindy Lowry, executive director, Alabama Rivers Alliance: [email protected], (205) 322-6395
Charles Scribner, executive director, Black Warrior Riverkeeper: [email protected], (205) 458-0095

BIRMINGHAM, Ala.—Alabama Rivers Alliance and Black Warrior Riverkeeper have partnered to donate to the Jefferson County Library Cooperative (JCLC) 22 copies of the latest editions of Southern Exposure, an award-winning film series dedicated to educating the public about Alabama’s natural resources.

Each of JCLC’s 40 locations will now have a DVD copy of the 2024 edition of Southern Exposure, a series of documentaries on various Alabama environmental topics by independent filmmakers. 18 of the JCLC’s 40 locations are part of the Birmingham Public Library (BPL) system. In August, Black Warrior Riverkeeper brought BPL 18 copies of the 2024 DVDs. Copies of previous Southern Exposure editions are available at all JCLC locations due to Alabama Rivers Alliance and Black Warrior Riverkeeper’s donations in past years.

“On behalf of Jefferson County Library Cooperative, I would like to thank Alabama Rivers Alliance and Black Warrior Riverkeeper for this donation. Now every library can help highlight Alabama’s natural resources,” said Jason Baker, President of the Jefferson County Library Cooperative and Director of the Trussville Public Library. “These short films, which tell relevant local stories, are an excellent addition to library collections in the county. Alabama is recognized nationally for its extraordinary aquatic biodiversity, leading the nation in the number of freshwater species. We are happy to partner with these organizations to highlight Alabama and invite the public to visit a local library to check out these beautifully captured films.”

Created in six weeks each summer, Southern Exposure films celebrate special people and places in Alabama while exploring complex issues and solutions. Made possible through partnerships with environmental and conservation groups across the state, the documentaries give viewers a sense of how much Alabama has to offer and the importance of protecting all of its resources.

“I am proud that every Jefferson County Library location has these excellent Southern Exposure documentaries,” said Charles Scribner, executive director of Black Warrior Riverkeeper. “Each year, Black Warrior Riverkeeper delivers the newest copy of Southern Exposure to every public library in the 17-county Black Warrior River watershed.”

The Altamont School in Birmingham will once again host the World Premiere of the NEW 2025 Southern Exposure films on Friday, September 19. This free event is highly anticipated and a do-not-miss event in Birmingham. There will also be an open discussion after the films that features the filmmakers, people featured in the films, Alabama Rivers Alliance team, and 100+ partner organizations from across the state.

“One of our favorite traditions that we look so forward to each year is working with Black Warrior Riverkeeper and Jefferson County Libraries to make sure all of their libraries have the latest Southern Exposure Films available on DVD,” Kelly Marshall, Alabama Rivers Alliance’s Deputy Director, said. “We strive to make these films available and accessible to all Alabamians and this continued collaboration helps make that happen!

To view Trussville Public Library’s picture of Jason Baker, President of the Jefferson County Library Cooperative and Director of the Trussville Public Library, and Charles Scribner, executive director of Black Warrior Riverkeeper, with the new DVDs, click here.

To view the 2024 Southern Exposure DVD cover, click here.

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Public Libraries in Jefferson County present 40 Libraries, 1 County, 1 Card. Discover this feature and the collaborative work of the public libraries through the Jefferson County Library Cooperative at jclc.org.

Alabama Rivers Alliance is a statewide network of groups working to protect and restore all of Alabama’s water resources through building partnerships, empowering citizens, and advocating for sound water policy and its enforcement.

Black Warrior Riverkeeper’s mission is to protect and restore the Black Warrior River and its tributaries. The nonprofit organization promotes clean water for the sake of public health, recreation, and wildlife habitat throughout the Black Warrior River watershed.

Jason Baker, President of the Jefferson County Library Cooperative and Director of the Trussville Public Library, and Charles Scribner, executive director of Black Warrior Riverkeeper, with the new Southern Exposure DVDs. Photo by Trussville Public Library.