About BCL

​​​​​​​​​Welcome to the Broward County Library

Broward County Library (BCL) is your window to a world of learning, opportunity, education, and more! We invite you to visit the library, in person or online, to explore vast selections of cultural, educational and recreational opportunities! 

Discover a Dynamic Community Resource

  • Extensive Reach: Serving over one million patrons across 37 branch libraries.
  • Community Hub: Welcoming approximately 13,900 visitors daily.
  • Diverse Clientele: Supporting nearly 1.95 million residents in a culturally rich county.
  • Innovative Services: Offering a full range of cutting-edge services to the community.
  • Award-Winning Institution: Recognized with awards locally and nationally year after year, BCL was also named Library of the Year in 2015 and 2020 by the Florida Library Association (FLA).
  • Award-Winning Leadership: In 2024 respected Director Allison Grubbs won the FLA Intellectual Freedom Award and the FLA Administrator of the Year title, as well as The New Republic/Right to Read Toni Morrison Courage Award.
  • Convenient Access: Library customers have access 24/7 to the BCL's online resources to search the catalog, place holds, renew materials and enjoy free online classes, eBooks, eMagazines, streaming/downloadable movies, TV shows and music. Materials can be picked up or returned at any BCL library location with curbside service available.
Among BCL's 37 branches are the Main Library in downtown Fort Lauderdale; five regional libraries (two located on Broward College campuses); a joint-use facility shared with Nova Southeastern University; and municipal branch libraries and reading centers situated county-wide. Included is BCL's African American Research Library and Cultural Center, whose special collections ​​​pertaining to African, African American and Caribbean heritage contain over ​one million items including fine art, rare books, artifacts and manuscripts. Our collection has been funded in part under the provisions of the State Aid to Libraries Grant program, which is administered by the Florida Department of State’s Division of Library and Information Services.​
Our Mission
To 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.

Our Vision
Broward County Libraries Division will be the model of the 21st Century Library: Innovative, Creative, Flexible, Inspiring, and Resource Full.

Allison Grubbs, ​​Division Director

Allison Grubbs
Allison Grubbs comes to the Broward County Libraries Division from Washington State where she led Public Services at the Timberland Regional Library, which has a jurisdiction of five counties. Ms. Grubbs brings more than a decade of public library experience. In her most recent leadership role, she worked closely with staff, local officials and community stakeholders to develop new projects and services for the public. While at Timberland Regional Library, she provided leadership and direction for 27 libraries located across 7,000 square miles. Ms. Grubbs earned her Masters of Library and Information Science from Valdosta State University and completed her undergraduate studies at North Georgia College and State University.

Jill Sears, Assistant Director​

​​jill sears
​​Jill Sears came to Broward County Library in 2006, where she played a key role in numerous system-wide initiatives. Most recently she was Library Regional Manager for Main Library and the South Cluster. Prior to joining Broward County Library, she worked for Jacksonville Public Library and Clay County Public Library. She earned her Masters of Library and Information Science from the University of South Carolina, Columbia, and her undergraduate degree from the University of Memphis.​​​