During the month of October, you can celebrate Broward County's 90th Birthday, watch a creative interpretation of The Raven, participate in programs for the third anniversary of the African-American Research Library and Cultural Center, or attend the opening reception of the Jules Verne exhibit: Journey through the Imagination of Jules Verne.

If you are unable to view any of the images, click here to view the E-Newsletter online.

Click here to download a .pdf version of our monthly magazine, Bookings. Read about the Jules Verne exhibit: Journey through the Imagination of Jules Verne, the Brazilian Culture Fest, Broward County's 90th Birthday, the Fort Lauderdale Women's Club, the 2005 Disabilities Expo, the third anniversary of the African-American Research Library and Cultural Center, and additional online resources. You can also view our programs and events or find a computer class at a library near you.

Broward County Library will host an exhibit featuring personal memorabilia, manuscripts, posters and other items from renowned science fiction author Jules Verne.

The exhibit, which has never been seen outside of Europe, will be on display from October 28 through January, 2006 at Broward County's Main Library, gallery six, 6th floor, 100 South Andrews Avenue in Fort Lauderdale.

The grand opening reception will be on Friday, October 28 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Broward County Main Library gallery six, 6th floor.

Celebrate the third anniversary of the African-American Research Library and Cultural Center (AARLCC) focusing on Archiving African-American Heritage: Celebrating Visual and Written Images. Program highlights include local authors, discussion on the importance of archiving history, and AARLCC Family Fun Day.

The Ebohon Exhibit "BENIN: A Kingdom in Bronze" will be on display through November 18.

Click here to download an invitation for the opening reception of the Ebohon Exhibit on October 21 at 7: 00 p.m.

Click here to view messages from people about their loved ones who have struggled with breast cancer from the 2004 Breast Cancer Tree of Love.

Click here to view library materials in the Susan G. Komen Collection at Broward County's Main Library.

Click here to visit our E-Suggestion Box. You can tell us about your visit to one of our 37 library locations, ideas for new programs, or recommend your favorite book.

Looking for something to do on Sunday? Be a part of Culture Vultures and see a first-hand, backstage view of the ballet, hear about Stonehenge, celebrate Haitian art and culture, hear the story of King Tut, and listen to Brazilian Jazz.

Sunday Happenings @ the Library occur one Sunday every month from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. at the Southwest Regional Library, 16835 Sheridan Street in Pembroke Pines. For more information, please call 954-538-9996.

Join Florida Center for the Book for a creative interpretation of Edgar Allan Poe's The Raven by actor Ed Reardon followed by a discourse on Poe's life and times by historian Stuart McIver on Tuesday, October 18 at 7:00 p.m. at Stirling Road Library, 3151 Stirling Road in Hollywood.

Broward County Libraries intends to be the most rapid service provider, best innovator in service delivery and the most aggressive, forward moving, customer friendly and customer centered public library in the nation. Find out how: click here to download the 2005 - 2009 Customer Service Plan.

Attention Teens! Take a Teen Survey

We want to hear from you and know what you think. Click here to take a survey just for teens.

Listen to Tales of Old Pompano with Bud Garner, Official Pompano Beach Historian on Monday, October 3 at 1:00 p.m. at North Regional/BCC Library, 1100 Coconut Creek Boulevard in Coconut Creek. Garner has lived in Pompano since 1927 and will share stories about the community.

Discover a world of imagination at the Broward County Library StoryBook Festival on November 19 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Southwest Regional Library, 16835 Sheridan Street in Pembroke Pines.

The free family festival will feature performances on two stages, local children’s authors, crafts and The Herald Broward Edition’s Fantasy Forest, where children can interact with fairy tale characters. The first 1,500 children at the festival will receive a free book, courtesy of Rick Case Automotive Group.

Performances will include: Cracker Cinderella, by Katie Adams’ Make-Believe Theater; African storytelling and music by Ajamu Mutima; Lee Bryan’s The Zany Zoo marionette revue; The Silly, Mixed-Up Fairy Tale and Oddball Vaudeville, presented by Page Turner Adventures; and music by bilingual pop-rock band Inzignia.

The library event is being held in conjunction with Children’s Book Week, November 14 - 20.

The StoryBook Festival is sponsored, through the Broward Public Library Foundation, by the City of Pembroke Pines, The Herald Broward Edition, Power One Credit Union, Rick Case Automotive Group, and The Friends of Southwest Regional Library.

African-American Research Library and Cultural Center (AARLCC)

THE FACILITY
The two story, 60,000 square foot facility includes a 300-seat auditorium, a 5,000 square foot exhibit gallery, two seminar rooms (that can be reserved by the public and has the seating capacity for 65 people each), and a 12-seat conference room. The high-volume circulating library provides general information to include reference, computer and youth services and a viable literacy program. In addition, its specialty is an archive of more than 50,000 special collections and African artifacts.

AARLCC has become a popular site for tourists who visit the South Florida area. Often, family reunion groups gathering in South Florida include a visit to AARLCC as part of their family's itinerary. So, if you're looking for an interesting day coupled with history and culture, plan to visit AARLCC during your next vacation or outing around Greater Fort Lauderdale. You and your family will have a delightful cultural experience. For more information and group visits, call 954-625-2820.

SERVICES
AARLCC, a hub for information and resources, provides a broad base of services including a Small Business Resource Center, complete with pertinent information, databases, and information sources needed in starting or building a business. AARLCC also offers free tax assistance and a new Career Information Resource Area, equipped with job announcements, pamphlets, fliers, articles, and reference materials needed for conducting a successful job search. Some of the other special services include: Each One Teach One, a nationally-recognized literacy program; the newly organized Southeast Florida Afro-American Historical Genealogical Society; computer skills development and technological assistance; Internet and web access; and research skills development. Extensive research materials on genealogy and African studies on the arts, history, literature, and culture are also available at AARLCC.

SPECIAL EVENTS
In an effort to continue to build a strong community, AARLCC presents various special events annually for children, adults, and families including the Ashley Bryan Series Conference, held in September; Gospel Extravaganza; and Jazzteenth, a celebration in honor of Juneteenth and Black Music Month. The Pan African Bookfest, a literary event sponsored by Broward County Libraries Division Outreach Services, is a free annual family event featuring an array of international and national authors, literacy activities for children, spoken word performances, book signings, African Diaspora art, African libation ceremony, community history exhibits, and ethnic foods. The Florida Library Youth Program, part of the national program that fosters good reading habits for kids and teens during summer break, is offered each year starting at the beginning of summer. Another one of the many well-attended programs offered at AARLCC is Kwanzaa, a seven-day African-American cultural festival that is observed from December 26 through January

Click here to download a .pdf fact sheet for AARLCC.

Click here to view a map of AARLCC.

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

Did you know since October of last year, a record 123,494 library cards were issued?

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