During the month of April, you can celebrate three fabulous literary events at your Broward County Library: The Pan African Bookfest, Children's BookFest and The Big Read. You can also take a survey to help Broward County Library improve its programs and services as well as view an exhibit on Mid Century Modern Architecture. There is always something to do at your Broward County Library!

If you are unable to view any of the images, click here to view the E-Newsletter online or paste this URL into your web browser: http://www.browardlibrary.org/enewsletter/april06.htm.

Our Monthly Magazine

Click here to download a .pdf version of our monthly magazine, Bookings. Read about three great events in April, find out how you can volunteer for PrimeTime 2, become a Friend of the Library or enter an essay contest explaining how the library has changed your life. You can also view our programs and events or find a computer class at a library near you.

Take Our Survey

Broward County Library wants your feedback. Take a few moments to complete this survey so we can serve you better. You can return the survey to any Broward County Library location, fax to 954-357-5548 or mail to:

Marketing Services
Broward County Library
100 South Andrews Avenue
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301

Click here to download a .pdf of the survey. We appreciate your input.

Children's BookFest: A week-long celebration of Children's Day/Book Day

Be part of Children's BookFest this April. Mark your calendar and head to the library for this week-long series of events that celebrate reading, books and children. There'll be visiting authors, dance and music, storytelling, free book giveaways and so much more. Click on either date to view the April 22 and April 29 schedules.

Event highlights include:

Saturday, April 22nd
Kick Off Bash
10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
North Regional/BCC Library, South Regional/BCC Library and the African-American Research Library and Cultural Center

Friday, April 28th
Conference on Children's Literature
Alvin Sherman Library, Research and Information Technology Center at Nova Southeastern University

Saturday, April 29th
Children's Day Celebration: Dia de los Niños/Dia de los Libros
10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Northwest Regional Library and the new Weston Branch Library

Saturday, April 29th
Grand Finale: Moonlight Tales
7:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Main Library

Click here for more information about Children's BookFest. Click here to download a color flyer about Moonlight Tales.

For more information, you can also call the Children's BookFest Hotline at 954-357-7846.

Download Your Own Certificate

Make your child's day special by rewarding him or her with a certificate from Broward County Library for attending story time, checking out a book, using Broward etutor and more. Click on any of the certificate images to download a high quality .pdf file and print on paper or card stock. You can reward your child while recognizing their accomplishments.

Click here to view the new downloadable certificates.

Pan African BookFest and Cultural Conference

Be a part of the 2006 Pan African Bookfest and Cultural Conference: "A Place Where Writers and Readers Explore the World." This event will be held at the African-American Research Library and Cultural Center in Fort Lauderdale from April 12 - 21.

In its fourth year, the Pan African Bookfest and Cultural Conference is an event that highlights authors and cultural programs. The events include panel presentations on State of the Race, Living History, Literature and Identity, local, national and international authors; spoken word performances, art exhibitions and an on-site bookmaking program by children.

For more information, please click here call the Pan African Bookfest Hotline at 954-357-7455.

Florida Electronic Library

The Florida Electronic Library has a new look worth checking out! Visit the site online and you'll find lots of useful information including:

For more information, click here to visit the Florida Electronic Library.

Bookletters

Find the latest award winning books for children and adults, author reviews and reader advisory lists on everything from jobs and careers to romance.

Click here to access Bookletters.

Bigger, Better: The Big Read

Be a part of The Big Read. This year's book is Ray Bradbury's classic, Fahrenheit 451.

The Big Read Launch Party will occur on Thursday, April 27 at 6:00 p.m. at the Main Library located at 100 South Andrews Avenue in Fort Lauderdale. An official ribbon cutting ceremony for the art exhibit in gallery six will begin at 6:00 p.m. followed by refreshments and dessert. A special presentation of Readers Theater will perform in the Main Library auditorium after the ceremony. The first one hundred customers who attend the Readers Theater performance will receive a free copy of Fahrenheit 451.

Click here to view a list of exciting events and book discussions.

2006 IRS Tax Forms

If you haven't already done your taxes, what are you waiting for? The April 17 deadline is getting closer and closer and Broward County Library is here to help you find all of the forms and information you need online at www.broward.org/library. Click here for more information.

You can also check the March issue of Bookings to find out about free tax preparation assistance at select Broward County Library locations.

Get the hottest DVDs, videos, audiobooks, and CDs!

Click here to view a webpage with downloadable lists of the newest movies, audiobooks and music in our collection.

How Has The Library Changed Your Life?

This spring, Broward County Library, the American Library Association and Woman's Day magazine want to know how the library has changed the lives of the people in our community. From now until May 10, anyone who has a story to tell about how the library has changed his or her life can send it to womansday@ala.org. Four of the stories will be featured in an upcoming issue of Woman's Day. The story must be 700 words or less.

The initiative is part of a program sponsored by the American Library Association and Woman's Day magazine called "Put it in Writing @ your library," a part of The Campaign for America's Libraries. The Campaign is a multi-year public awareness and advocacy campaign designed to promote the value of public, school, academic and special libraries and librarians in the 21st century.

Going, Going, Gone?

View an art exhibit of Mid Century Modern Architecture in Broward County through April 24th at the Main Library's gallery six. This photographic journey through our County's signature architecture was taken by photographer Robin Hill.

Broward County Library and The Broward Trust for Historic Preservation, Inc. are sponsoring this art exhibit. For more information, please call 954-522-1606 or 954-357-7443.

This month's spotlight is the North Regional/BCC Library. Located in beautiful Coconut Creek, this library is on the North Campus of Broward Community College and is filled with informative materials, classes and programs. Take the time to stop by this library and see for yourself!

North Regional/BCC Library

Click here to view a slideshow of the photographs of the branch.

Address: 1100 Coconut Creek Blvd., Coconut Creek, FL 33066

Telephone Number: 954-201-2600

Directions: (From I-95)
Exit I-95 at Atlantic Blvd. and go west to NW 31 Ave. Turn right (north) to Coconut Creek Parkway. (The entrance to Florida's Turnpike will be just opposite you at the intersection of NW 31 Ave. and Coconut Creek Parkway.) Turn left onto Coconut Creek Parkway. Broward Community College North Campus will be the first thing on your left after you go over the Turnpike overpass. Make the first left onto the BCC campus and bear left. The library is the first building on the right, Building 62.

Hours:

Sunday: 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Monday - Thursday: 7:30 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Friday: 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Saturday: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Bus Route: 31

Library Features:

Library collection includes: DVDs, large-print books, CDs, books, magazines and journals, videos, music CDs, audio books, CD-ROM computer software, international languages collection, closed-captioned and descriptive videos, extensive collection on deafness and hearing loss

Computer Center with 40 computers and approximately 35 classes per month, some presented in American Sign Language, Spanish and other languages. Total of 105 computers throughout library, including those in Computer Center.

Self check-out machine

Exterior book drop

Children's area includes computers, decorated as a seaport, storytime room and Friends of the Library Tutoring Program for elementary school students

Teen area includes Teen Room with 4 computers, display case and lounge seating area

Meeting Rooms: Room 154 with a capacity of 280 people and
Room 226 with a capacity of 35 people in a classroom setting

Individual studying and tutoring rooms

Gift Shop: Friends Fancy Gift Shop

Free parking with over 500 spaces

Volunteers:
For volunteer opportunities, please call:

Adult Volunteers: 954-201-2620
Teens Volunteers: 954-201-2626

Art in Public Places:
The Public Art is Abstract Rhythms by artist Ed Carpenter. It is a stained glass sculpture mounted in skylight in ceiling.

Important Telephone Numbers and Web Addresses (Please click on the blue links to access the corresponding web pages)

Renew Materials: 954-357-RENU (7368)

Information and Reference at the Main Library: 954-357-7444

Youth Services Administration: 954-357-7336

Outreach Services Administration: 954-357-7348

Library Administration: 954-357-7397

Talking Books: 954-357-7555

Learning Services (Literacy Programs): 954-357-8211

Dial-A-Story: 954-357-7777

Ask a Librarian

Florida Center for the Book: 954-357-7401

Bienes Center for the Literary Arts: 954-357-8692