Imperial Point Branch

Address:  5985 N. Federal Highway, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308

Telephone: 954-492-1881

Hours:  Monday & Thursday: 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.; Tuesday & Wednesday: 12 Noon - 8:00 p.m.; Saturday: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.; Friday & Sunday:  Closed
 
The Imperial Point Branch Library stands tall between a shopping area and a retirement community, surrounded by schools, and sitting on the second floor above its own parking lot.  It's a classy place to escape the hustle and bustle of Federal Highway.

Considered a neighborhood library, and open 40 hours a week (closed Fridays and Sundays), Imperial Point attracts a lot of people who are interested in using the public computers, and checking out newly-released books and DVDs. "It feels like Blockbusters some days," said one librarian, referring to the popularity of the video titles.

The library attracts a nice mix of people, including retired persons and families. Students from the nearby Cardinal Gibbons, Westminster Academy, Pinecrest and Northeast High School make use of the library resources and spend volunteer hours helping with programs and shelving media (a never-ending task).

Although the library has been open since 1988, it was closed for nine months for renovations in 2004. The public area was enlarged, and handicap-access bathrooms installed, with other behind-the-scenes improvements. Since that time, library staff has been working hard to increase the lost attendance, build back its programs and strengthen its youth services (through such activities as Story Time). The branch has two children's librarians, specializing in toddlers and teens. The library has a large amount of library card applications, which is a tangible sign of growth.

Two small study rooms are located in the back of the library, where patrons can find their own peaceful space, and where children can receive after-school tutoring. A reading resource lab is available for adults seeking English literacy, or learning a new language. There is also a larger room available for group activities, such as The English Café that meets every Tuesday evening, where adults practice conversational English. The library also has a number of materials available in Spanish.

This branch library also has wireless access, so patrons can surf the Internet and read e-mail on their own laptop computers.

Monthly book discussions are held on the third Wednesday of month (from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.), led by a librarian or community member. Library programs include everything from poetry recitals, cooking classes, and home decorating, to holiday music, Spanish heritage and hurricane preparedness. In December, an intergenerational chess club is starting, complete with tournaments.

Different libraries have their specialty areas, and Imperial Point Branch Library specializes in Christian fiction, with a collection of works by C.S. Lewis and his Oxford friends, "The Inklings," plus works by contemporary writers.  When any other branch library acquires a new work of Christian fiction, a copy of that publication almost always lands at Imperial Point for their collection.

Volunteers:  For volunteer opportunities, please call 954-492-1881.

Art in Public Places:  Three Horses Above the Cat Walk by Salvatore Zagami. The steel structure hangs from the ceiling alongside the stairwell, with sculptures attached to it of human masks, horse heads, a bird, a feline bust, a caged dog head and a pair of skeleton hands. A different kind of art is in the architecture of the building - the illuminated, vaulted wooden ceiling is breathtaking.