Ribbon cutting ceremony at North Star — Community stakeholders cut the ribbon on the new “North Star” Ed Farm space at the Birmingham Public Library North Birmingham Branch. (Mary Helene Hall / Bham Now)

Ed Farm, a Birmingham-based nonprofit devoted to innovative learning, has deployed its first library-based learning space at the North Birmingham Branch of the Birmingham Public Library. City officials, Ed Farm employees and library leadership cut the ribbon on the space Wednesday, Nov. 19, and it is now open to the public.

The new space is thanks to a $20 million grant awarded by the Economic Development Administration for the Reinvest Birmingham project. The initiative aims to move forward the underprivileged neighborhoods of North Birmingham, Northside, Pratt and Smithfield.

Bright marquee letters spelling NORTH STAR — Ed Farm North Star innovation space at the North Birmingham Branch of the Birmingham Public Library (Mary Helene Hall / Bham Now)

“We have some very, very ambitious goals. We want to train over 2,500 residents in our service area. We want to connect at least 1,500 of those individuals to good jobs, and we want to invest in spaces just like this one, the North Star Learning Lab, that make sure we have an opportunity for our residents to feel close, that jobs are accessible and that resources are real.”
Archie Stewart, Reinvest Birmingham grant manager

Ed Farm labs are designed and operated by the local education nonprofit — this new lab at the North Birmingham library branch is the first space deployed outside of a school. The innovative spaces allow students to experience hands-on learning with tools to record podcasts, mix music, explore virtual reality, film videos and more.

Modern learning space with technology setup. — Ed Farm space at the Birmingham Public Library North Birmingham Branch (Mary Helene Hall / Bham Now)

In October, the nonprofit launched a space in the new Legacy Prep intermediate school campus at the former A.G. Gaston Boys & Girls Club.

“Once we open up the North Star Learning Lab, it will very much be a space for change, a place that’s going to enhance the economic mobility of North Birmingham, as well as allow people to reimagine what learning looks like through coding and creativity.”
Senior Manager of Community Engagement at Ed Farm Brittany Hollis

Music production setup with microphone — Ed Farm space at the Birmingham Public Library North Birmingham Branch (Mary Helene Hall / Bham Now)

The title “North Star” was chosen intentionally, officials said, as a symbol of moving North Birmingham forward.

“Think of the word ‘star.’ It means a lot of different things, but one of the most important things it provides is the intangible hope, and that is what we want to provide to our residents. But the tangible, actual connectivity to opportunity is what the space also does.”

Birmingham Mayor Randall L. Woodfin

People interacting in a modern classroom. — Ed Farm space at the Birmingham Public Library North Birmingham Branch (Mary Helene Hall / Bham Now)

Unlike most of Ed Farm’s spaces, which are located in schools, the new North Star Learning Lab is available to learners of all ages and skill levels — from young kids learning about STEM innovation to older folks who are learning basic computer skills.

In addition to being a functioning classroom space, it also has many tools that can be used to facilitate tech learning, such as: