From 1963 to 1972, activists established a library subcommittee to improve library service in Broward County. The report generated by the committee received wide media attention and was supported by County Commissioner Robert Hubener. On January 9, 1973, the Broward County Commission approved the establishment of a library system. In 1974, the Broward County Libraries, also called the Libraries Division, was officially established, bringing four existing municipal libraries together to establish the system comprising the Fort Lauderdale Library and its three branch libraries of Fort Lauderdale, Riverland, and Mizel, as well as the Hollywood Library, all with a budget of about $1.3 million. The system began issuing borrower cards on June 17, 1974, for 270,000 items. By 1978, a bond issue approved and provided funding for the system's expansion, allowing for the addition of thirteen further branches, all joining over the course of the 1980s. In 1980, the construction of the Main Library was funded. Library-system director Cecil Beach was involved in all phases of the Main Library project, from planning to completion. On April 29, 1984, the Main Library opened and became one of two flagship libraries in the system. The Main library was designed by Robert F. Gatje of Marcel Breuer Associates. The building was constructed as an eight-story structure with a six-story atrium, a 300-seat auditorium, and a special collections area hosting the Bines Museum of the Modern Book. The library system was named "Library of the Year" in 1996 by
Library Journal and Gale Research. That same year, the
Bienes Museum of the Modern Book, then called the Bienes Center for the Literary Arts, opened as Broward County Library's rare book archive. By 1998, the Broward County Library was the ninth largest library system in the United States, employing over 700 part-time and full-time employees with at least 200 being professional librarians, as well as engaging over 2,000 volunteers to assist with library operations across the county. January 2018 saw Broward County Libraries host their first chalk art festival, at the time called “Chalk Lit,” at the Main Library. In later years the festival’s name was changed to “Art Lit” and the host library and theme for the festival change every year. In October 2022, the Broward County Library ceased charging late fines to patrons in addition to past fines. In November 2023, the Broward County Library opened up Book Sanctuaries all throughout their library branches. This allows patrons access to books that have been challenged or restricted. == Awards and recognition ==