Holiday Closure: Independence Day

All Broward County Library locations will be closed Tuesday, July 4th in observance of Independence Day. Our online resources are available 24/7 at Broward.org/Library.

Greetings,
I love July because the month kicks off with a patriotic holiday full of laughter, friends and good memories. This summer, we are aiming to give you something to make every day special and memorable. I hope you are going full blast with us in Summer at Your Library no matter what your age. Register with Beanstack, easily log your reading and collect your prizes!

Teens are always welcome at the library, and there are so many programs especially for them in July. Adolescence is a special moment when we want to show young adults what they can do and whom they can become. Budding botanists? Grow a hydroponic garden with Garden Lab Fun at Pompano Beach Library. (Maybe if I had taken these classes when I was a teen, I’d be a good gardener today!) Future journalists can sign on for a Zine Making Workshop at Pembroke Pines Library and create a mini magazine from a book, magazine, video game or movie. If glamour and ambition are calling, creative teens can participate in Teen DIY Bath Products at African American Research Library and Cultural Center (AARLCC) to learn how to make a coconut/coffee body scrub for fun or profit.

This is really an endless summer as far as the many things we’re doing with families. One great class for families is Basic Dining Etiquette at Northwest Branch. Ever wonder which utensil to use, or how to swirl pasta on your fork? Come have fun learning the basics of dining etiquette and share a meal with us – in style! I’m also happy to recommend the Summer Fair Open House at Northwest Regional Library. Join us to celebrate summer with games, green-screen photo opportunity, crafts and a musical performance by Matthew Sabatella.

We’re offering exuberant joy with Arts Alive at the NSU Alvin Sherman Library. The Orisirisi African Folklore performance of authentic African drumming and storytelling is a celebration of the origin of music. Add an introduction to Africa’s most popular instruments and a healthy dose of the African tradition of audience participation.

Circle the date to bring the whole family out for the 11th annual South Florida Book Festival at AARLCC and celebrate 50 years of hip-hop culture. The three-day event is an intersection of art, literature and music with our community. 

If the natural world calls to you, get out and enjoy July with Broward County Library's very own underwater drone. Join us for What Lurks Beneath at Lauderhill Central Park and Sunrise Dan Pearl branch libraries to see what’s going on beneath the water’s surface. Our underwater drone has a video camera that streams onto a tablet for all to see.

More fascinating glimpses of nature and a special celebrity guest are in store with The History of Hurricanes in South Florida at Stirling Road Branch Library, brought to you by the Hollywood Historical Society. This month's speaker will be Bryan S. Norcross, Fox News Meteorologist and Hurricane Specialist.

I’d like to invite adults to join me for my Director’s Book Club. This month we’ll explore The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson, the story of a woman with a rare genetic condition and an equally rare occupation. This spectacular novel is based on the true story of the Pack Horse Librarians, brave women who traveled rough terrain and risked their lives to bring books to impoverished people in Kentucky’s hills.

Speaking of a great night out for adults…What a fantastic evening we had last month when hilarious “Florida Man” Dave Barry came to the Main Library auditorium to talk about his new novel Swamp Story: A Novel with me and 200 fellow readers. I had a great time interviewing Dave, who is as funny in person as he is on the page! We laughed out loud quite a bit, and the audience loved surprising Dave with their own questions.

Stop by in July – we’re looking forward to seeing you again!

Allison Grubbs
Broward County Library Director

Library Events Calendar

All program details are available on our Events Calendar - just type the event name into the search box and choose the date range from July 1 to July 31

Summer Magazine

View the magazine online to find a month's worth of events for all ages listed by location including arts and crafts, writing workshops, book clubs, health & wellness, career & business and more.
 

Your Opinion Counts

Let us know what you think of the current magazine!

Visit Us

Library branches are open for in-person visits and curbside service is available. Service hours and days vary. Library book drops are open 24/7 for returns.
 

Need Help?

Call us for one-on-one assistance, including help with eBooks, streaming movies, research and reference questions.
 

No More Late Fines

Broward County Library no longer assesses any late fines for library books, DVDs and other materials returned after the due date. All existing late fines on cardholder accounts have been removed. Materials still have a due date and cardholders will be charged for lost or damaged items. Items are considered lost when they are 35 days past the due date.