BROWARD COUNTY, FL - Broward County Library (BCL) had an overwhelmingly positive reaction to this year's annual Summer Learning Program, "Adventure Begins at Your Library," as thousands of residents turned out for programs and competed for reading prizes from June 1st through August 10th, 2024.

Over the course of the Summer Learning Program, BCL's 37 branches offered close to 1,700 programs for families and youth, attended by over 55,000 people. Adult programs numbered close to 1,000 and had over 13,000 in attendance. This year BCL offered six reading and learning challenges, resulting in readers of all ages logging in over four million minutes of reading time this summer. 

Youth Services Coordinator Kimberly White explained why it was critical to keep children mentally engaged and pursuing literacy over the summer months when school is not in session. "It's important for students to be engaged in quality learning experiences over the summer. Studies have shown that by doing so, going back to school in the fall is easier," said White. "Summer learning and reading programs are exercise for young brains."

"Adventure Begins at Your Library" offered eager library attendees a summer of adventure-themed workshops, programs and classes, along with exciting books and programs on wellness, art, travel, and science. The summer program also provided trivia contests, crafts, and musical and theatrical productions, all free of charge.

Imaginative and entertaining library adventures centered upon nature, culture and technology presented by Flamingo Gardens, Marine Environmental Education Center, Miami Children's Museum, Fusho Daiko Taiko Drummers, This Is Improv, Clay Kings, Museum of Graffiti, Young at Art, Mad Science of Palm Beach County, Fantasy Theatre Factory, Morikami Museum, and others. 

Library summer adventurers also earned prizes for reading, learning, and showing up from community partners such as Florida Panthers, Museum of Discovery and Science, Bluefoot Pirates Adventures, Wyndham Deerfield Beach, Sawgrass Recreation Park, Water Taxi, Jungle Island, Xtreme Action Park, Zoo Miami, Frost Science Museum, Pines Ice Arena, Hoffman's Chocolates, and more.

The 2024 Summer Learning Program was presented by the Broward Public Library Foundation and BBX Capital Foundation. Additional sponsorship was provided by Charles F. & Esther M. Frye Foundation, Community Foundation of Broward, JM Family Enterprises, Florida Virtual School, Friends of Broward County Library, Children's Services Council of Broward, and the local chapters of the Friends of Broward County.

About Broward County Libraries
Broward County Libraries Division, named 2020 and 2015 Library of the Year by the Florida Library Association, was founded in 1974 and is one of the largest and busiest library systems in Florida. Broward County Libraries Division's 37 locations provide 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 X.