The Active Learning Center (ALC) is a free, educationally rich children's play space that provides developmentally appropriate play activities to promote school readiness in children from birth to five years old.

Designed to look like a seaside village, the ALC provides children the opportunity to cook and clean in the playhouse, shop at miniature stores, play on a boat in a Big Blue Ocean, cuddle sea animals in Baby Bay, ride a train downtown, perform shows on a stage and explore countless bins of books and building and play materials. The free-flowing model village allows children to develop flexible strategies for creative play as they experiment, interact, try new items and problem solve. Parents and caregivers can look for teachable moments, asking open-ended questions that build imagination and understanding.

The ALC is located on the 2nd floor of Main Library, 100 S Andrews Ave, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301. ​

Groups and preschools with children birth to five may contact the library at 954-357-7444 to arrange special group visits.

Early learning educators may request a special hands-on training, "Interactive Manipulative Use in the Early Learning Classroom," through the Community Engagement section, at 954-357-7336

The Broward County Library Active Learning Center has been developed by the library in collaboration with the Broward Public Library Foundation, through the generous support of the Eugenie Suter fund, and with additional funding from the BookFellows of Fort Lauderdale and Broward County Library's Community Engagement section.