Books 'n' Bears at the Holidays

A Feast for the Mind Reading Challenge

Are you an avid reader? Do you know other avid readers? Then you should join the Library Foundation’s “A Feast for the Mind Reading Challenge.” Gather your friends or book club members to form a team and participate in our inaugural social media-based contest.

The Reading Challenge is centered around the April 12, 2024 Literary Feast LitLIVE! event, which will feature nationally recognized authors speaking at free panel discussions. The Foundation will announce book titles from January to March to all participating teams. As they are announced, teams will read as many of the books as they can, then post their reviews online with a special hashtag to score points.

Points will be accumulated based on the number of books read per team member, with bonus points awarded for social media engagement! First, second and third place winners will be assigned with special recognition given to the winners at our annual LitLIVE! event. Prizes may include wine and dessert at your next book club meeting, tickets to the Night of Literary Feasts Welcome Reception, and recognition from the stage.

Thank you to Leadership Broward Class XLII for selecting this as one of their class projects. The Community Project Group, the “Book Worms,” will steer the Reading Challenge in the months ahead.

Learn more and register now at bplfoundation.org/reading-challenge

New Scholarships for Career

Online High School

The Broward Public Library Foundation and Broward College are partnering to support the 2023-2024 Career Online High School (COHS) enrollment class. Broward College will sponsor seven new scholarships for students in this life-changing program.

Through Broward County Library, COHS offers adults ages 19 and older the chance to earn an accredited high school diploma and a career certificate. The program is self-paced and 100% online, allowing individuals who are working, parents, or both to find the time needed to achieve their dream of graduating high school and opening up new career pathways for themselves.

In addition to funding the new scholarships, Broward College will also be providing hands-on workshops for all students enrolled in the program. Workshop topics will focus on achieving successful career transitions, mapping a pathway to further education, and how to apply for scholarships and financial aid.

Learn more: 

broward.org/Library/pages/careeronlinehighschool.aspx

SAT/ACT Workshops

Broward County Library is here to help high school students in grades 10-12 prepare for their SAT and ACT tests! These workshops will focus on math, grammar, and reading practice tests, as well as intensive test taking strategies. 

The following dates are for library workshops that still have availability:

• January 10 – February 7 South Regional/Broward College Library
• February 12 – March 4 Southwest Regional Library
• April 15 – May 1 North Regional/Broward College Library

These workshops are sponsored by the Broward Public Library Foundation, and presented by Affordable College Solutions.

For registration details, see the Broward County Library website, broward.org/Library. 

Jefferson Society Luncheon

Think Ahead, Think of the Library

The last few years have been anything but predictable; while 2023 has seen its fair share of surprises, there is one thing you can always rely on: the library.

Your Broward County Library is a cornerstone of the community, providing access to services, technology, and educational tools, all for free, all year long.

And now, the library needs you. As we approach the end of the year, please keep the library in mind for your philanthropic goals. Your support will ensure the over one million individuals who use and rely on the vast number of library services will continue to have access to what they need, when they need it. From SAT and ACT prep programs for teens and thousands of children’s book giveaways, to Veteran’s services and adult high school diploma classes.

Choose the Broward Public Library Foundation to make a year-end gift and know that you are giving to an organization that makes a difference in the lives of your neighbors.

Donate Now: bplfoundation.org/donate | 954-357-7382

Seeking Silent Auction Donations

Do you—or someone you know—have an item, service, or experience you’d like to donate to the Literary Feast 2024 silent auction? Each year, the silent auction generates more than $40,000 to benefit literacy programs within the Broward County Library system, including Books ‘n’ Bears at the Holidays and free SAT/ACT workshops for teens. 

Tax-deductible donations come in many forms including gift cards, hotel stays, professional services, physical items, adventures, and more. The silent auction will take place in-person at our signature Literary Feast event on April 13, 2024, and online for five days prior. Those who donate will receive recognition through the OneCause mobile bidding platform, the BPLF website, and signage at the in-person Welcome Reception at Bahia Mar, Fort Lauderdale Beach.

A silent auction donation form is available at bplfoundation.org/literary-feast-silent-auction. For more information, contact Shannon Severance at 954-357-7382 or email sseverance@bplfoundation.org.

Please remember us in your wills and trusts.