Hello, and Happy New Year!
What an exciting year we have ahead of us. Activities and events are planned months in advance, so I know you will be thrilled when you experience what’s coming. Our New Year resolution at the library is to give you a year of delight and enlightenment. As for setting personal resolutions, I am planning for a year of growth and achievement. Rather than one big goal, I am setting one intention per month.

My intention for January, which is International Creativity Month, is to hone my creativity and be alert to the creative output and ideas of others. Whether it’s an individual or an entire culture, let’s express our appreciation for things beautiful, clever and interesting. And as our Events Calendar shows, we’re a library community of handcrafters, fiber artisans, serenity coloring artists and makers of all kinds. Don’t be shy to jump in and join the party – you’re invited!

When I think of creativity, author and illustrator Ashley Bryan immediately comes to mind. We are privileged with the responsibility to preserve some of his artwork, and this year I invite you to the 20th Annual Ashley Bryan Art Series Conference Youth Art Festival - A Day of Masterpiece Making on Saturday, January 28 at the African American Research Library and Cultural Center (AARLCC). Bring the whole family for a day of concert and theater performances, crafting, author events, face painting, African storytelling, and art making experiences.

Something else which recently impressed me was the wonderful writing of Patricia Engel, award-winning author of this year’s NEA Big Read selection, Infinite Country.? The depth, scope and her magnificent use of language had me enthralled with this book. I recommend it so highly that I’ve made it my Director’s Book Club selection for this month. Please pull up a chair and talk about it with me. 

For young readers, NEA Big Read selections are The Boy in the Back of the Class, by Onjali Q. Raúf, about a Syrian refugee, and Dreamers, by Yuyi Morales, detailing her migration from Mexico. Find great programs in the Events Calendar for everything “NEA Big Read,” from book discussions, movies, crafts, storytimes, Colombian Salsa and Merengue dance workshops, art exhibits, and word games.

January ushers in the Chinese New Year as well as our own – let’s creatively mark them both! Make an origami rabbit for the Year of the Rabbit, a dragon mask, or do a slew of other creative projects to learn about this magnificent culture. Celebrate Chinese New Year with activities and performances from the Lee Koon Hung Lion & Dragon Dance Team, among many branch commemorations. (Enter "Chinese" in the Events Calendar search box.)

I’ve touched on several types of creative and artistic expression in the visual arts, dance, literature, crafting, photography, theater arts, and so forth. But there is another type of innovative vision that does not just decorate our world but transforms it. That is the type of vision that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. brought to our national life in his role as a pioneer in the American Civil Rights movement. We honor his courage to re-imagine our country by a national holiday on January 15 and with many programs at our branches. Our Events Calendar has programs for staged re-enactments, discussions, scavenger hunts, crafting, storytimes, trivia, and films to honor his legacy. (Enter "MLK day" in the Events Calendar search box and choose January date range.)

May the New Year usher in peace, prosperity, and all good things!

Allison Grubbs
Broward County Library Director

Libraries Director Allison Grubbs - No More Late Fines
Broward County Libraries Division is happy to announce the elimination of late fines. Late fines no longer accrue on borrowed library materials and customers will not be fined for items returned after the due date. We have also canceled and removed all existing late fines on library cardholder accounts.