BROWARD COUNTY, FL - Every summer, Broward County Library (BCL) welcomes thousands of residents for programs and reading prizes as part of the Summer Learning experience throughout its 37 library branches. The kick-off event, Children's BookFest, is scheduled from 10AM to 3PM on Saturday, May 31 at West Regional Library.

This year's theme is "Color Our World!" and the public is invited to embark on a journey of art and creativity. A special system-wide project this year is the Crayon Initiative, where customers can bring their old crayons to any BCL branch to donate them to be recycled into new crayons for kids in the hospital.

Youth Services Coordinator Kimberly White explained why it is critical to keep children challenged, active and pursuing literacy when school is not in session. "It's important for students to be engaged in quality learning and community experiences over the summer," says White. "Studies have shown that by doing so, going back to school in the fall is easier and more successful."

"Color Our World!" offers eager library attendees a summer of chromatic-themed workshops, programs and classes, along with exciting books and programs on wellness, art, travel, and science. The summer program also provides trivia contests, crafts, and musical and theatrical productions, all free of charge.

Imaginative and creative library workshops centered upon art, science, and culture presented by the ARTY Van Gogh mobile art bus, Young At Art Museum, NSU Art Museum Docent Speakers Bureau, Miami Children's Museum, Museum of Graffiti, Mad Science of Palm Beach County, and others.

Readers can log their reading all summer long and once they reach their age group's reading goal, pick up their summer reward pack. Summer Learning Program participants are also entered in drawings to win grand prizes from community partners such as Wendy's, Museum of Discovery and Science, Young at Art Museum, Florida Panthers, Lakeshore Learning, Bluefoot Pirate Adventures, Margaritaville, Water Taxi, Frost Science Museum, and more.

The 2025 Summer Learning Program is sponsored by the Broward Public Library Foundation, Florida Power & Light Company and JM Family Enterprises. Additional support is provided by Charles F. & Esther M. Frye Foundation, The Friends of Broward County Library, Community Foundation of Broward, Florida Blue Foundation, Florida Virtual School, 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 2015 and 2020 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.