BROWARD COUNTY, FL - Broward County Libraries has been selected to receive the 2020 Library of the Future award. The award, sponsored by the American Library Association (ALA) and Information Today Inc., recognizes innovative planning, application or development of information technology that supports library users.

Broward County Libraries was chosen for its innovative use of Amazon’s Echo to bridge language barriers as part of its Project Welcome initiative, which welcomes English-language learners to the area, informs them of BCL resources, and supports them on their journey to English literacy, economic prosperity, and belonging.

Additionally, Broward County Libraries also recently received a National Association of Counties Achievement Award for Project Welcome and for “Library Services on Air, Land and Sea,” an initiative that expanded access to library services to unexpected places, including the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, on public buses and at county parks.The Achievement Awards recognize innovative programs that modernize county government and increase services to county residents.

"Broward County Library is honored to have received numerous awards for the past few years both at the state and national level. I am proud of the library team that has made this ongoing transformation possible with groundbreaking initiatives, says Broward County Library Director Kelvin Watson. "These numerous accolades, however, are just the icing on the cake. The real reward is knowing the positive impact the library system is having on the lives of individuals in our community. Expansion of our service to the public has been my objective and it will continue to be my focus going forward. Broward County Library will continue to pursue every possible avenue to invite the uninvited and respond to the needs of those who need us most in our community."

The Library of the Future Award will be presented at an ALA Awards Ceremony and Reception during the ALA Midwinter Meeting, scheduled for January 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. 

About Broward County Libraries Division
Broward County Libraries Division, named 2020 and 2015 Library of the Year by the Florida Library Association, was founded in 1974 and is the largest library system in Florida by square footage and one of the busiest, with more than 7.5 million walk-in customers visiting its 38 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 website, Broward.org/Library, or follow Libraries on Facebook and Twitter.

DATE: June 11, 2020
MEDIA CONTACT: Catherine McElrath
Libraries Division
PHONE: 954-357-7402
EMAIL: cmcelrath@Broward.org