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Former Broward County Library Associate Director Julie Hunter Receives Lifetime Achievement Award from Florida Library Association
  
  
DATE: May 16, 2014
MEDIA CONTACT: Catherine McElrath
Libraries Division
EMAIL:
cmcelrath@Broward.org
PHONE: 954-357-7402

BROWARD COUNTY, Fla. - Julie Hunter, former
Broward County Libraries Division associate director of public services, received the 2014 Lifetime Achievement Award from the Florida Library Association.The honor, which was awarded to a librarian with a longstanding, distinguished record of professional achievements and accomplishments, was presented to Hunter on May 9, 2014 at the Florida Library Association's 2014 Conference in Buena Vista, Florida. Hunter retired from Broward County Libraries in July 2013 after 47 years of distinguished library service.

“Julie Hunter’s contributions to Broward County Libraries have been extraordinary. Her expertise and positive energy is missed,” says Broward County Libraries Director Skye Patrick. “She has been an integral part of Broward County Library and leaves behind a legacy of leadership that is an example to us all.” 

After graduating Claflin College summa cum laude with a degree in mathematics, Hunter began a fulltime job as a field director for the NAACP.  In 1963, she left the NAACP and entered Atlanta University and received her master degree, which led her to her first position in the Atlanta University Library as reference librarian. 

Later positions included deputy/acting director of the Robert W. Woodruff, Library of Atlanta University in Atlanta, Georgia; assistant director of DeKalb County Public Library system in Decatur, Georgia;  and director of the Auburn Avenue Research Library on Black History and Culture in Atlanta, Georgia. She was promoted in 1996 to director of the entire 32-branch Atlanta Fulton County Public Library System.  In 2002, Hunter was chosen as the first executive director of the Broward CountyAfrican-American Research Library and Cultural Center in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

“Libraries serve people and serving people through libraries has been a wonderful path for me," says Hunter.

Throughout her career, she has also maintained an active interest in a range of professional societies including the Public Library Association and the American Library Association and served on numerous committees. Additionally, she has garnered awards and honors that reflect on her dedication to the field of library science and to helping others. Hunter is has also authored professional articles and reports and is involved in many community activities.

For more information or high-resolution photographs, please contact Catherine McElrath, Libraries Division,
cmcelrath@Broward.org or 954-357-7402.

The award-winning Broward County Libraries Division, founded in 1974, is the largest library system in Florida by square footage and one of the busiest, with more than 9 million walk-in customers visiting its 40 locations annually. The library has more than 3.4 million items and 2,000 computers for public use, and offers hundreds of events and programs to meet the needs of Broward County's diverse community. Broward County Libraries Division continues its strong emphasis on literacy, after-school programs and electronic access. In addition to our comprehensive Web site, Broward.org/Library, which provides information about library activities, links to online catalogs, reference information and databases, customers can visit BCL WoW - Broward County Library Without Walls – for free eBooks, music, audiobooks, apps, movies and more. Customers may also follow Libraries on Facebook and Twitter. Libraries Division also administers the services, programs, collections and exhibits of the Broward County Historical Commission.