DATE: October 30, 2014
MEDIA CONTACT: Barbara Miller
Libraries Division
PHONE: 954-357-7443
EMAIL: bmiller@Broward.org
BROWARD COUNTY, FL - The Broward County Libraries Division invites you to the grand reopening and relaunch of the Broward County Main Library, located at 100 S Andrews Ave., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301, on Saturday, December 13, 2014 from 9:30AM to 6PM. The free celebration will include entertainment and activities for all ages. Children can meet their favorite storybook characters. The Creation Station team will highlight some of the many technologies that are available at the library including demonstrations of small personal robots and the opportunity to try them out. Every public floor will have staff showcasing what their library section offers. All events for the day are sponsored by the Broward Public Library Foundation and the Friends of the Fort Lauderdale Libraries.
The Main Library opened on April 29,1984. Funded by a public improvements bond issue, the building was designed by architect Robert F. Gatje, of Marcel Breuer Associates, New York, in association with Jordan A. Miller, of Miller Meier Architects and Associates, Fort Lauderdale.
During the past three years, the Main Library has undergone a series of renovations to maintain building integrity, including replacement of elevators, roof, wall and ceiling tiles, and air conditioning equipment. In addition, several areas of the eight-story facility, including the computer labs, were remodeled to accommodate new technology and meet the changing needs of residents.
In January 2014, the Main Library received a landmark designation for its exterior as well as parts of the interior from the City of Fort Lauderdale due to its architectural significance.
For updates and more information, visit our website.
Schedule – Main Library Grand Re-opening
Mistress of Ceremonies - Broward County Libraries Division Director Skye Patrick
First floor:
- Welcome Back to the Main Library Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony – 9:30 to 10AM
- Broward 100 Information – 9AM to 2PM
- Lion Dance – 10 to 10:30AM
- Broward Women's Chorus: Songs for the Holidays – 11AM to Noon
- Quick Draw/Paint Out – 11AM to 1PM
- Teen Spoken Word Poetry presented by the Omari Hardwick bluapple Poetry network – 1 to 2 PM
- Gold Coast Banjo Band: The Happy Sounds of Banjo Music – 2 to 3PM
- Magic with Dave Kaplan – 5 to 5:30PM
Second floor:
- Face Painting with Marcela – 10:30AM to 12:30PM
- Storybook Characters – 11AM to 2PM
- Make Edible Snowmen and Meet Joey the Otter from the Museum of Discovery and Science, 10AM to 2PM
- Friends of the Fort Lauderdale Libraries Jewelry Fair – 10AM to 3PM
- Grant Livingston on the guitar – 2:30 to 4:30PM
- Creation Station Demonstrations – all day
- Flash Mob – It’s a surprise!
Third floor:
- Holiday Tree and Villages
- Technology petting zoo – 11 AM to 3 PM
Sixth floor:
- The Courage To Remember Holocaust Exhibit – gallery six
- Moon Rock Display
- The Amazing Vojtech Kubašta: A Showcase of His Pop-up and Illustrated Children's Books – Bienes Museum
- Bob Nathanson presents The Tortoise and the Hare with his Puppets To Go – 11AM to Noon
- Author and Editor Tom Swick will discuss the book The Best American Travel Writing 2014 – Noon to 1PM
- Learn the best resources for financial planning from nationally respected Certified Financial Planner™ and radio show On The Money! host Steven Pomeranz, the “Investor's Advocate” – 3 to 4PM
Please contact Catherine McElrath, 954-357-7402, cmcelrath@Broward.org for additional high-resolution images of Main Library and featured performers.
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 39 locations annually. Broward County Libraries Division provides convenient access to a full range of innovative and cost-effective services that satisfy the changing needs of the people of Broward County for information, education and recreation. Visit our Web site, Broward.org/Library or follow Libraries on Facebook and Twitter.