The Broward Public Library Foundation was founded in 1982 to enhance the collections, programs and services of the Broward County Library beyond the means of public funding. The nonprofit Foundation is the catalyst in sparking private funding and endowments to enrich the Broward County Library system.
Peter Pan, the Little Mermaid, and Snow White – these are among the classic storybook characters that are the inspiration for a special evening on Friday, Sept. 26 at the downtown Tower Club – Fort Lauderdale. The
“Once Upon a Table – A Feast of Fairy Tales & Fables” event, which is open to the public, benefits the Broward Public Library Foundation and the Invited Employee Care Foundation, which supports Club employees and their families during times of crisis.
Tickets for the event, which begins at 6:30 p.m., are $120. To learn more about sponsorships, a VIP experience, tickets or donations, visit once-upon-a-table.eventlify.com
Author Mel Taylor to
Speak at Books & Bites
Books & Bites will be held from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 21 at our presenting sponsor location, Belmont Village Senior Living, 1031 Seminole Dr., Fort Lauderdale. The event includes the author’s talk, light bites, book sales, and signings.
An Emmy Award-winner, Taylor uses his background in television news to help form the character of Booker Johnson, a TV reporter who solves murders. Each of Mel’s books are set in South Florida, where his characters move from the sandy beaches to the exotic and mysterious Florida Everglades. The Disclosure, published in June, is the third installment of the Booker Johnson murder series.
Mel is also the recipient of several other TV awards, including a local Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences and an award from the Society of Professional Journalists. To learn more, visit MelTaylor.com.
The event is free to attend for Library Foundation members at the $50 and above level; all others are welcome to attend at a cost on a space-available basis. To learn more and register, visit: bplfoundation.org/books-and-bites.
Summer Learning at the Library
Thanks to the generosity of donors, sponsors, and supporters, thousands of children and teens participated in an exciting and successful Summer Learning Program this season.
The immersive 10-week adventure, with a “Color Our World” theme, included more than 1,400 Summer Learning events and activities that took place at a variety of branch locations June 1 through August 9. Programs included the Art for Kids Summer Series with Young At Art Children’s Museum, a Glow Show with Mad Science, and the Florida Panthers Summer Reading Tour, which featured books read by Panthers personnel and a visit from Stanley the Panther.
The Summer Learning Program encourages participants of all ages to continue to read all summer long through reading challenges, events, and activities. Youngsters are encouraged to log their reading minutes to win prizes. This summer, more than 3,200 children and teens logged more than 3.5 million minutes of reading!
The Library Foundation’s annual fundraising appeal raised funds from generous individual donors, as well as the Sylvia K. & Martin J. Yohalem Community Fund of the Community Foundation of Broward, Florida Blue, Charles F. and Esther M. Frye Foundation, JM Family Enterprises, Inc., Florida Power & Light Company, the Lasdon Family Foundation, and the Children’s Services Council of Broward County.
Conference Focuses on Children’s Stories
Award-winning mother-son literary duo Carole Boston Weatherford and Jeffrey Boston Weatherford are the headliners at the free annual Conference on Children’s Literature on Friday, Sept. 19 at the African American Research Library and Cultural Center.
Whether you're a parent, teacher, librarian, or simply a book enthusiast, this event is ideal for anyone who wants to explore the world of children's literature.
The Weatherfords have collaborated on three books, including KIN: Rooted in Hope, Carole’s verse novel illustrated by her son.
Scheduled from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., the Conference will also feature author and plant enthusiast Marcus Bridgewater, graphic author Amor Shah, and more.
A complimentary light lunch will be served, and the authors’ books will be available for sale and signing. For more information, and to register, visit broward.libnet.info/event/14087542.
The Conference is funded in part by the Broward Public Library Foundation and the Children’s Services Council of Broward County. The African American Research Library and Cultural Center is at
2650 Sistrunk Blvd., Fort Lauderdale.
SAT/ACT Workshops
Now that classes are back in session, students in 10th through 12th grade will be turning their attention to the all-important SAT and ACT tests that can make all the difference in college acceptance.
With funding from the Broward Public Library Foundation, Affordable College Solutions’ Alberto Howe leads a series of free SAT/ACT workshops at Broward County libraries that will help your child prepare. The workshops’ intensive sessions focus on test-taking strategies, fundamentals, and practice tests.
Registration for the next 5-part workshop series opens at 9 a.m. Sept. 15. The series will be held from Oct. 6-Nov. 3 at the South Regional Library, 7300 Pines Blvd., Pembroke Pines. If you have questions or would like to register, visit: Broward.org/Library/Pages/SATACTProgram.aspx or call 954-357-7470.
The two Wednesday Women reading clubs are well underway with an exciting new season of books and meeting times! Participation in the Wednesday's Women Book Club is a benefit to being a Broward Public Library Foundation member at the $100 Bibliophile level or higher. Wednesday's Women groups meet regularly for friendship and stimulating conversation about the assigned book.
WEDNESDAY'S WOMEN WEST
Meetings take place monthly, the third Wednesday of the month,
from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Weston Library Branch
(4205 Bonaventure Boulevard).
The 2025-2026 season's books and meeting dates include:
WEDNESDAY'S WOMEN EAST
Meetings take place every other month from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
at the Pompano Beach Branch Library (3250 NE 2nd Street).
The 2025-2026 season's books and meeting dates include:
Mystery Book Collection Keeps Growing
Thanks to the Isabel & Stanley Rubel Family Endowment Fund, Broward mystery lovers have hundreds more mystery books to devour – from Jeffery Deaver thrillers to Raymond Chandler classics and Laura Lippman best-sellers. Interest from the fund, held within the Broward Public Library Foundation’s $15 million endowment, has provided for the purchase of more than 300 titles for the Broward County Library collection over the past two years.
The collection is housed on the second floor of the Pompano Beach Library, 50 Atlantic Blvd., Pompano Beach. Branch manager Nadine Robinson has leaned full force into the Rubel Mystery Collection with author talks, book clubs, and more.
The Rubel Mystery Lover’s Book Club featured authors Elaine Viets in June and Daniel Miller in August. Popular author Charles Todd will be featured at an in-person event at 2 p.m. Oct. 18, with award-winning mystery reviewer Oline Cogdill as a guest moderator. The event can also be seen on Facebook Live and YouTube. Registration opens September 15: broward.libnet.info/event/14355697.
To learn how you can provide an enduring and impactful legacy at your library through a dedicated fund, please contact Director of Philanthropy Robert Ahlness at 954-357-8086 or rahlness@bplfoundation.org.
Please remember us in your wills and trusts.
