Spotlight of the Month
 
Broward County Library Celebrates 35 Years
Since its inception in 1974, Broward County Library has grown from a small group of local libraries into the ninth largest library system in the United States. As the population of Broward County has grown and diversified, Broward County Library has also evolved and now includes 37 library locations, a collection of more than one million items, programs and services in a variety of languages, and a sophisticated Web site that draws in thousands of visitors daily. Additionally, in October, 2008, Broward County Library welcomed its ten millionth visitor to North Regional/ Broward College Library in Coconut Creek.

The winner of the 1996 American Library Journal and Gale Research's Library of the Year, Broward County Library has been an intrinsic part of the county's growth, providing increasingly sophisticated services to an ever-growing number of users. A $139.9 million bond issue in 1999 helped fund the building of new libraries and the refurbishing of existing ones, a move necessary to keep up with Broward County's increasing population.

Broward County Library built the first green building (meeting the standards for the Green Building Rating System set by the U.S. Green Building Council) in Broward County, the South Regional/Broward College Library, which opened in 2005. Technological innovations have provided for free wireless access for all BCL locations, as well as hundreds of public-use computers. Books, CDs, DVDs and other materials are available in a variety of languages including English, Spanish, Russian, Portuguese, Chinese and more. Library-based literacy and language programs provide reading and language instruction to thousands of customers, and Youth Services programs provide educational and cultural opportunities for children and teens.

Broward County Library also hosts a wide range of authors of all genres; visual artists; theatrical, musical and dance performances; and informational programs. Broward County Library houses a wide range of special collections that range from African artifacts to Work Progress Administration materials.

Future plans for the library include expanded online presence and services, increased focus on technology, and a continuance of the high quality of service that Broward County Library customers have enjoyed.