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​​​​​​​​​​​​Welcome to the Broward County Library

Broward County Library (BCL) is your window to a world of learning, opportunity, education, and more! We invite you to visit the library, in person or online, to explore vast selections of cultural, educational and recreational opportunities! 

Discover a Dynamic Community Resource

  • Extensive Reach: Serving over one million patrons across 37 branch libraries.
  • Community Hub: Welcoming approximately 13,900 visitors daily.
  • Diverse Clientele: Supporting nearly 1.95 million residents in a culturally rich county.
  • Innovative Services: Offering a full range of cutting-edge services to the community.
  • Award-Winning Institution: Recognized with awards locally and nationally year after year, BCL was also named Library of the Year in 2015 and 2020 by the Florida Library Association (FLA).
  • Award-Winning Leadership: In 2024 respected Director Allison Grubbs won the FLA Intellectual Freedom Award and the FLA Administrator of the Year title, as well as The New Republic/Right to Read Toni Morrison Courage Award.
  • Convenient Access: Library customers have access 24/7 to the BCL's online resources to search the catalog, place holds, renew materials and enjoy free online classes, eBooks, eMagazines, streaming/downloadable movies, TV shows and music. Materials can be picked up or returned at any BCL library location with curbside service available.
Among BCL's 37 branches are the Main Library in downtown Fort Lauderdale; five regional libraries (two located on Broward College campuses); a joint-use facility shared with Nova Southeastern University; and municipal branch libraries and reading centers situated county-wide. Included is BCL's African American Research Library and Cultural Center, whose special collections ​​​pertaining to African, African American and Caribbean heritage contain over ​one million items including fine art, rare books, artifacts and manuscripts. Our collection has been funded in part under the provisions of the State Aid to Libraries Grant program, which is administered by the Florida Department of State’s Division of Library and Information Services.​
Our Mission
To provide convenient access to a full range of innovative and cost-effective services that satisfy the changing needs of the people of Broward County for information, education and recreation.

Our Vision
Broward County Libraries Division will be the model of the 21st Century Library: Innovative, Creative, Flexible, Inspiring, and Resource Full.​

Allison Grubbs, ​​Division Director

Allison Grubbs

Allison Grubbs is the Director of Broward County Library (BCL). She began serving Broward communities in 2019 when she was hired as Broward County Library's Assistant Director. Now as the Director of BCL, Allison has achieved momentous milestones such as getting rid of late fines to encourage library use and being named Administrator of the Year by the Florida Library Association. In addition, Allison received the Right to Read Toni Morrison Courage Award from New Republic for her unwavering commitment to intellectual freedom and access to information for all.

Allison represents South Florida libraries in her work with the Florida Library Association, American Library Association, and the Urban Libraries Council. Before her roles in Broward, Allison worked in special and public libraries serving rural, suburban, and urban communities of all sizes throughout Washington and Georgia. She received her undergraduate degree in history at North Georgia College and State University (now University of North Georgia), and her Master of Library and Information Science at Valdosta State University. Allison's love language is caffeine.

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Watch the monthly Director's Message videos​ ​​featuring Allison Grubbs.
​Broward County Libraries' director Allison Grubbs giving a monthly director's message


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James Jones, Assistant Director​​

James Jones

James Jones joined Broward County Library in 2017 after nearly a decade with the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System, where he held a range of positions across public and technical services. Over the past eight years at Broward County Libraries he has overseen systemwide operations in Collection Management and Archives & Special Collections. Mr. Jones has been an active member of the administrative team, contributing to strategic planning, policy development, and organizational leadership. He is a strong advocate for intellectual freedom and equitable access to information and library services, championing inclusive practices that ensure all members of the community can benefit from library resources. Mr. Jones holds a Master of Library Science degree from Clark Atlanta University and a Master of Science in Instructional Technology from Troy University.​​

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