This month don't miss exciting events including a live town meeting on May 18 as well as tips on how to use online services. You can also view a special collection of Haitian art and get ready for our Summer Reading Program. 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/may06.htm.

Our Monthly Magazine

Click here to download a .pdf version of our monthly magazine, Bookings. Read about the Hewitt Collection at the African-American Research Library and Cultural Center, the Carver Ranches Branch Library and Online Services. You can also view our programs and events or find a computer class at a library near you.

May is filled with reasons to visit your local library. You can celebrate these months and special dates during May:

Haitian Heritage Month

National Older Americans Month

Asian-Pacific Heritage Month

Mental Health Awareness Month

Get Caught Reading Month

May 14 - 20: Reading is Fun Week - This week highlights the importance and fun of reading.

May 25: Poetry Day in Florida - In 1947, the Florida legislature decreed this day to be "Poetry Day in all public schools in Florida."

Memorial Day - Broward County Library will be closed on Monday, May 29 in observance of this holiday.

Online How To Guide

How can I place a book on hold and have it sent to the library location of my choice for pick-up? How can I find the latest movies added to the library's collection? How do I send feedback to the library?

If you want to know how to do something online, but need a little help, then the Online How To Guide is just for you. Step-by-step instructions explain how to use the hundreds of services offered through Broward County Library's website.

Take a moment to check it out. You could look for that favorite book or movie you have been wanting to see. And, if we don't have it, use the instructions to recommend the item for the collection.

Click here to view the guide.

Mental Health Awareness Month

During Mental Health Awareness Month, you can view artwork from the 9 Muses Art Center at gallery six in the Main Library. The exhibition is open to the public and on display from May 10 through May 31.

Click here to download a bibliography highlighting a few of the many resources available at your Broward County Library.

The Big Read

The Big Read is a national initiative to revitalize the role of literature in American society. This year's book is Ray Bradbury's classic, Fahrenheit 451. Continuing through the month of May, you are invited to be part of the excitment.

Be a part of a Regional Town Meeting hosted by television personality Michael Putney on Thursday, May 18 at 7:00 p.m at the Weston Branch Library. The topic sparks discussion on whether we are the "Futuristic" Society Ray Bradbury predicted in Fahrenheit 451.

Click here to view a list of programs near you.

Find A Library Near You

Click here to view a map of Broward County Library locations.

Friends Win Outstanding Program Award

The Broward County Friends of the Library received the Outstanding Program Award from the Florida Library Association - Friends Award for their "Hats Off to Friends" luncheon. The "Hats Off to Friends" luncheon, held June 16, 2005, honored the contributions of the Friends chapters who support Broward County Library's 37 locations as well as to build a sense of unity and cohesiveness among the 29 Friends chapters that are currently active.

For more information about the Firends of the Library, please click here.

Tuskegee Airmen Memorabilia

In honor of National Older Americans Month, the African-American Research Library and Cultural Center will display Tuskegee Airmen memorabilia including pictures, posters, books, uniforms and other items with significant historical importance.

Click here to view a slideshow of the display.

The Hewitt Collection

The Hewitt Collection, one of the largest of the special collections housed at African-American Research Library and Cultural Center, contains a wealth of items, particularly from artists of Afro-Caribbean descent, many of them highly valued for their artistic merit and rarity.

John and Vivian Hewitt were newlyweds when they bought their first piece of art, a Picasso reproduction; in 1960, they purchased their first original painting purchased while on vacation in Haiti, and added to it, one painting at a time, over the years, commemorating special occasions in their lives with art.

Art critics recognize the Hewitt Collection has one of the nation's most significant collections of African-American art, with an emphasis on the Caribbean-infused art of Haiti.

The collection comprises numerous works of art, most of them paintings, in oil, watercolor or mixed medium and collage.

Take the opportunity today to view the collection during Haitian Heritage Month. Contact the Special Collections Office at the African-American Research Library and Cultural Center at 954-625-2819 to schedule an appointment.

Get a List of the Latest Movies

Find out when the newest movies are added to Broward County Library's collection. Click on any the following links to view a list of the latest movies or view movies added each week.

Newest Movies in Collection - Downloadable .pdf

This Week's Newest Movies

Pictured above - Staff from AARLCC and the winners

Students Rewarded for Black History Month Essays

On April 10, the African-American Research Library and Cultural Center (AARLCC), in partnership with Love 94 and Brandsmart USA, announced the winners of the 2006 Black History Month Essay Contest. Jeffery B. Williams, 2nd grader from Rock Island Elementary; 5th grader Tori McNealy of Pembroke Pines Charter East; 8th grader Tanasia Nelson of Nova Middle School; and 11th grader Michelle Harvey of Dillard High School were chosen among 778 entries received throughout Broward, Miami-Dade and Palm Beach Counties.

Each winner was awarded a new Compaq laptop computer, printer and other computer supplies. With more than 150 programs taking place throughout the year, AARLCC's youth services section focuses on providing access to information, programs, and ideas relating specifically to the African Diaspora as well as fostering a love of reading and libraries in young people. For more information, please call 954-625-2823.

Be a Part of Summer Reading

Make the most out of this summer with Broward County Library's 2006 Summer Reading Program. From June 3 to July 31, you can participate in a variety of free programs and events held at library locations throughout the county. From arts and crafts to magicians, puppets to performers and storytellers, there's something for every interest - and age - this summer at Broward County Library.

The Summer Reading Program also offers great prizes for children and teens who read this summer - just log the time you spend reading this summer and earn great giveaways from your library. "On the Edge" is the special Summer Reading Program for teens, and "Book Feast" is geared toward children 12 and under; each program will offer fun, prizes and special event geared toward the different age groups.

For more information, visit your local library or click on the "Book Feast" or "On The Edge" buttons at www.broward.org/library.

This month's spotlight is the Stirling Road Branch. Located in Hollywood with easy access to I-95, this branch library is a great place to stop by and check out a book, movie or use public computers.

Take the time to stop by this library and see for yourself!

Stirling Road Branch Library

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

Address: 3151 Stirling Road, Hollywood, FL 33312

Telephone Number: 954-958-2689

Directions:

Click here to download a .pdf map

Exit I-95 at Stirling Road and proceed 1 ½ miles west.

Hours:

Sunday: 12 noon - 5:00 p.m.
Monday - Closed
Tuesday and Thursday: 1:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Wednesday: 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Saturday: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Bus Route: 15

Library Features:

Library materials include: DVDs, Videos, CDs, Books on Tape, Large- Print Books, Books in Spanish and Hebrew

Public Use Computers and Computer Technology Center: 40 computers including 26 in adult section, 3 express computers, 8 in children's section and 3 in the teen section

Self-checkout machine

Outside Book Drop

Children's Section with 8 computers and separate story room

Teen Area with separate teen room with 3 teen computers outside teen room

Auditorium with seating for 88 and conference room with seating for 18

Ample free parking

Copy machines, $.15 per copy charge

Building Information:

The Stirling Road Branch Library, built in 2003, is a 20,000 square-foot facility. The architect was M. C. Harry Associates, Inc. and the construction firm was Padula and Wadsworth Construction, Inc. The library is also surrounded by beautiful oak trees.

Volunteers:

For volunteer opportunities, please call:

Adult and Teen Volunteers: 954-985-2689

Art in Public Places:

Imagination Circles the World, a 120 foot long mural in acrylic, canvas, Spanish cedar and mixed media by artist Andrew Reid.

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

Broward County Library

Broward Public Library Foundation: 954-357-7382

Friends of Broward County Libraries

Online Resources

New Movies in Collection - .pdf version

Did you know that since the passage of the 1999 Library Bond issue, the Galt Ocean Mile Reading Center, Hollywood Beach Bernice P. Oster Reading Center, Margate Catharine Young Branch, Jan Moran Collier City Learning Library, Davie/Cooper City Branch, Deerfield Branch, Imperial Point Branch, Century Plaza Branch, Dania Beach Paul DeMaio Branch, Hallandale Branch and Carver Ranches Branch libraries have been renovated and/or expanded?

Click here to search the catalog for a book, DVD, audio book, or everything else in the Library's collection.