Focus on Friends - Century Plaza Friends of the Library  

The Century Plaza Branch Library opened in 1982. In 1990, the Century Plaza Friends of the Library group was founded, and it became a strong advocate for library programs, staff and projects. It became a part of the Broward County Library's Friends umbrella group, (now, Friends of Broward County Libraries, Inc.) that same year.

The branch has either moved or remodeled three times since 1982, with the most recent major remodeling completed in 2003. Leon Slatin, the Friend's founder, current President, and member of the Library Advisory Board, has been an advocate for these and other library improvements.

The Century Plaza Friends group provides funding for special events, projects and programs. They hold recognition luncheons for volunteers during Volunteer Appreciation Month and fund special adult programming.

The biggest fund raiser for the Century Plaza Friends is the ongoing book fair. Recently the space available for this highly successful endeavor was doubled in size with the addition of several more bookcases.

Every year the Friends group funds Century Plaza Branch's youth services programs. This includes special programming for the summer-long Florida Library Youth Program, and other year-round activities. A unique program supported by the Friends is the ongoing Yoga Kids, which combines early literacy and yoga.

The group provides financial support for Broward County Library staff development, such as attendance at Florida Library Association and American Library Association conferences.

At the 2005 Friends of the Library Luncheon and Awards, the Friends won an award for "Support of Youth Programming."

For more information about the Century Plaza Friends of the Library, call 954-357-7740.

Opportunities for involvement in Friends groups exist at most Broward County Library branches. For information about other Friends groups, contact Friends of Broward County Libraries, Inc. at 954-357-7771.

Remember: Good Friends make Great Libraries!