Fort Lauderdale Branch

Address:  1300 E. Sunrise Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304

Telephone: 954-765-4263

Directions:  (From I-95) Exit I-95 at Sunrise Blvd. east; turn right at NE 14th Ave.; turn right at first driveway.

Hours:  Sunday and Thursday: Closed, Monday and Tuesday: 12 noon to 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, Friday and Saturday:  9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
 
The Fort Lauderdale Branch Library is located at 1300 E. Sunrise Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale, on the east-west bend of US1. The historic structure was built in the 1950s as a City of Fort Lauderdale library and became one of the original branches of the Broward County Library System in 1974.

This neighborhood library serves Victoria Park, Lake Ridge, Poinsettia Heights and South Middle River clients, plus neighborhoods west of Federal Highway. It is very conveniently located in the corner of Holiday Park, in the heart of a neighborhood bustling with redevelopment and growth.

Since the Fort Lauderdale Branch it is conveniently located on a main corridor to the beach, it has a huge tourist base of Canadians and other visitors from around the world. It is a very popular place for out-of-towners to touch base with friends and home via e-mail on the public computers.

This library attracts an especially diverse clientele, perhaps the most diverse of the entire library system. People from all backgrounds and income levels hang out in this neighborhood gathering place, which makes it a fascinating workplace for staff members.

One truly unique aspect of the Fort Lauderdale Branch Library is that half of the one-story structure is devoted to ArtServe, an organization that promotes the arts and helps support local artists and cultural organizations. From the hallway lobby, the left doorway takes you to an art gallery and cultural center; the right doorway takes you to the books and videos. This lends a special ambiance to the library. Sometimes choral music or the sound of a grand piano can be heard drifting around the corner. There are always colorful paintings and sculptures at every turn, as well as the colorful people who create the art.

Year after year, the Fort Lauderdale Branch library shows a growing attendance. Many loyal customers come often to the library to sample the branch's large collection of DVD movies, popular books, audio books, and CD music. Among this library's particular strengths are a strong Spanish print material collection for its many Hispanic customers, plus an extensive gay and lesbian collection.

A popular program sponsored by the branch library is the Great Books Reading and Discussion Group that meets monthly to study anthologies of literary classics.

Bus Routes:  10, 20, 36

Library Features:

• DVDs
• Videos
• CDs
• Audio Books
• Large-Print Books
• Books in Spanish and French
• 15 Public Computers
• Outside Book Drop
• Children's Area
• Meeting Room - Available through ArtServe, 954-462-8190
• Free parking
• Copy machines, $.15 per copy charge

Volunteers:  For volunteer opportunities, please call 954-765-4263.