October Book with Brunch Features Charles Todd

For those who wish to nosh with local authors, Book with Brunch is the place to be. The annual series kicks off at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 26 with writer Charles Todd, author of the Inspector Rutledge and Bess Crawford mystery series.

Todd will discuss his latest book, A Casualty of War, during brunch. The story revolves around the impact of WWI on all who witnessed it, from the officers and soldiers to battlefield nurses such as Bess Crawford. The event includes a light brunch, an author presentation, Q&A, and book sales and signings.

Book with Brunch takes place at ArtServe, 1350 E. Sunrise Blvd., Fort Lauderdale. The event is a membership benefit for members at the $50 level and above. Guests may attend for $25 on a space-available basis. To register, call 954-357-7382.

Also on the Book with Brunch schedule:

Thursday, January 25, 2018 - Dr. Caren Neile, author of Florida Lore: The Barefoot Mailman, Cowboy Bone Mizell, the Tallahassee Witch and Other Tales

Thursday, March 8, 2018 - Laurie A. Watkins, author of Go From Stressed to Strong: Health and Fitness Advice from High Achievers

Calling All Volunteers!

Share Your Literary Feast Memories and Save the Dates for 2018

Literary Feast, the Broward Public Library Foundation’s celebration of books and authors, is celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2018. And, if you have been a part of this event over the years, we’d like to hear from you!

We’re planning a series of photos and anecdotes about past Feasts on our website and social media leading up to this year’s event weekend, May 4-5, 2018.

“So many people have contributed to the success of this event over the years,” said Executive Director Dorothy Klein. “We want to give them an opportunity to revisit some of those special memories.”

Literary Feast begins on Feb. 9, 2018, with LitLUNCH!, a women’s luncheon featuring a fascinating guest speaker, at the Hyatt Regency Pier Sixty-Six Pier Top in Fort Lauderdale. On May 4, some 16-18 nationally known authors will visit Broward public high schools for the newly renamed Author Day for Students, where they’ll speak with students about their books and the creative writing process. That night, at LitLIVE!, the authors will speak at several Barnes & Noble stores throughout the county in free public programs.

The Night of Literary Feasts begins on Saturday, May 5 with a Welcome Reception at the Hyatt Regency Pier Six’s Panorama Room, followed by gourmet dinners in elegant homes and upscale restaurants with an author.

Literary Feast 2017 Co-Chairs Ann Burris and Merrie Meyers are returning to co-chair the 2018 event.

To share your memories and photos, please email Dorothy Klein at dklein@bplfoundation.org or call her at 954-357-7382. Photos, which will be returned, also can be mailed to the Foundation office, 100 S. Andrews Ave., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301.

Support SAT/ACT WorkshopsFrom now

through Nov. 4, when you shop at Lucky’s Market stores in Plantation and Coral Springs, you’ll be supporting the Broward Public Library Foundation. Bring your re-usable bags (or purchase in-store) and receive a wooden dime for each bag used. Place the wooden dime in the BPLF bin and the Foundation will receive double your donation!

Money raised will be directed to Broward County Library’s free SAT/ACT workshops providing high-quality test prep classes to college-bound students in Broward County.

The Broward Public Library Foundation was founded in 1982 to enhance the collections, programs and services of the Broward County Library beyond the means of public funding. The nonprofit Foundation is the catalyst in sparking private funding and endowments to enrich the Broward County Library system.

SEPTEMBER 2017

To better prepare high school juniors and seniors for the SAT and ACT tests, a series of free intensive workshops, complete with test-taking strategies and practice tests, are scheduled throughout Broward County libraries. Evening class sessions are presented by Alberto Howe, founder of Affordable College Solutions, and are sponsored by the Broward Public Library Foundation, the Harry T. Mangurian, Jr. Foundation, and Broward College.

The program also is funded in part by donations received from the Lucky’s Markets’ “Bags for Change” campaign, through Nov. 4.

Pre-registration for SAT/ACT workshops is required, and space is limited. Please visit broward.org/library for details.Workshop locations are:• November 6 - December 4, African-American Research Library and Cultural

Center, Fort Lauderdale• January 9 - February 6, Southwest Regional Library, Pembroke Pines• January 10 - February 7, West Regional Library, Plantation• February 14 - March 7, South Regional/Broward College Library, Pembroke

Pines• March 14 - April 11, Northwest Regional Library, Coral Springs• April 9 - 30, North Regional/Broward College Library, Coconut Creek• May 9 - June 6, Main Library, Fort Lauderdale

Helping Teens Make the SAT/ACT Grade

Volunteers are critical to the work of the Broward Public Library Foundation, whether it’s chaperoning a Literary Feast author or helping with programs and mailings.

Find out more about the opportunities available both during Literary Feast and throughout the year at our annual Volunteer Meeting, from 10:30 a.m. to noon, Saturday, Oct. 21 in the 6th floor Bienes Museum at the Main Library, 100 S. Andrews Ave., Fort Lauderdale.

RSVP to 954-357-7382 or email Office Manager Shannon Severance at sseverance@bplfoundation.org

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Summer Learning Program Drew Thousands

More than 60,000 children and teens enjoyed a summer full of reading, fun and learning – everything from STEM programs to cooking, dance and Zumba classes – at their neighborhood libraries during the Summer Learning Program 2017.

Thanks to more than 150 donors, we raised approximately $42,000 in individual and foundation donations.

The programs, which were held at library branches

throughout the county from June 3 through Aug. 20, provided a free and safe place for young people to have fun this summer while they were learning and developing the crucial habit of reading. Children, ages 6 to 12, read 67,801 books over a span of 83,000 hours!

Foundation funders included the Deaver Phoenix Foundation, PNC Foundation, the Charles F. & Esther M. Frye Foundation, GB Knecht Foundation, Friends of the Cultural Arts, John & Nellie Bastien Memorial Foundation and the Georgina Jacobsen Fund of the Community Foundation of Broward. The Rotary Club of Weston provided the grand prizes for the winners at the Weston Library.

Moon Rock’s 10th Anniversary Party Set for Nov. 1

For the past decade, a visit to the Main Library in downtown Fort Lauderdale hasn’t been complete without a stop on the sixth floor to see an encased sliver of moon rock.

On long-term loan from NASA, the moon rock, and its accompanying space-related exhibit, draws thousands of visitors each year. The late Susan Eisele Black, the widow of Apollo 7 astronaut Donn Eisele, and a Broward Public Library Foundation member, asked NASA to send the Ambassador of Exploration lunar sample to Broward County Library, which is the only public library in the United States to display a moon rock.

To mark the 10-year anniversary, a special program, open to the public, is planned at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 1 at the Main Library. Speaking will be Francis French, the editor of Donn Eisele’s memoir, Apollo Pilot, and the Director of Education at San Diego Air & Space Museum.

In her will, Mrs. Black, directed that all royalties from the memoir’s sales would be sent to the Library to develop space-related programming. French will present a copy of the memoir to the library during the event.

During the next year, the Main Library will feature astronomy programs, STEM speakers, talks by NASA scientists and virtual reality “trips” to the moon. BPLF provides funding annually for these programs.

To RSVP and for more details, call Barbara Miller, Main Library Programming and Events Coordinator at 954-357-7443 or email bmiller@broward.org

Wednesday’s Women Book Club Schedule Announced

BPLF’s Wednesday’s Women Book Clubs – located in Fort Lauderdale and Weston – have confirmed books and meeting dates for the 2017/18 season. Participation in Wednesday’s Women is a benefit of Foundation membership at the $100 level and above. The groups meet regularly for thought-provoking conversation about the assigned book. The groups’ full schedule is available at www.bplfoundation.org/wednesdays-women

‘It Takes a Village’ at the16th Annual Storybook Festival

Author Leo Lionni’s lovable mouse Frederick will be the inspiration for activities at the 16th annual StoryBook Festival, scheduled from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18 at the Southwest Regional Library, 16835 Sheridan St., Pembroke Pines.

This year’s theme, It Takes a Village, pays tribute to the children’s book Frederick, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2017. The book touches on the nature of work, art and the importance of community.

The City of Pembroke Pines will sponsor an arts and crafts tent where kids can get creative, and the first 1,000 children arriving to the festival will receive a free book donated by BPLF.

Children can interact with their favorite storybook characters in the Fantasy Forest, and they may also enjoy the “Swappin’ Ground” where they tell their own stories. When not listening to stories, or telling their own, children can get their faces painted and explore the fire truck that will be there. There will be food trucks on site selling tasty treats all day.

The StoryBook Festival is presented and funded by the Broward Public Library Foundation in partnership with the City of Pembroke Pines, Friends of Southwest Regional Library and Broward Family Life Magazine.

BPLF’s SummerFUN-RAISING Event

On July 29th the Broward Public Library Foundation participated in Cocktails for Humanity – a pop-up bar for a great cause during the free monthly FAT Village Artwalk. All proceeds from the event, including tips from beer, wine and cocktails served, benefited the Broward Public Library’s Summer Learning Program. Our celebrity bartenders helped to raise over $5,000 to support programs that encourage reading and provide hundreds of interesting programs to stimulate young minds.

NBC News Correspondent Kerry Sanders serves drinks during Cocktails for Humanity, an event benefitting BCL’s Summer Learning Program

Pictured left to right: BPLF Board Chair Marty Shuham; BPLF Executive Director Dorothy Klein; BPLF Board Member Tim Bascombe; and Broward Schools’ Superintendent Robert W. Runcie