The History of BCLA

The Broward County Library Association became an officially recognized organization in late 1970 or January of 1971. Its roots, however, extend some nine years deeper. The secretary's minutes of October 25, 1963 record a meeting of library directors and advisory board members representing nine municipal libraries. Those present at this meeting believed that "it is good to get together with those interested in libraries in Broward County to discuss problems and ... possible solutions" and continued to meet through the years, adopting the title of the Broward County Library Board Group. As the organization grew and expanded its membership to include anyone interested in or affiliated with the wide spectrum of libraries operating in this area, BCLA evolved.

Through the years, BCLA has concerned itself with the status of libraries in Broward County, the need for extending library service throughout the county, the need for the support of libraries by county commissioners and other officials, and the need to attract the non-user into the library. An important concern of BCLA today is establishing continuing education opportunities for library personnel at the local level.

There are many persons to credit for the development of the Broward County Library Association, among them: Mrs. Ralph Wright, who contributed many years to the organization; Mr. Alan Becker, the association's first recognized president and one of the key people involved in the development of its by-laws; Barbara Cooper, who was the association's president for two terms and under whose leadership local involvement in library legislation at both the state and national level has developed and grown; and past president Andy Schmidt, who led the organization for three terms of office.

Today, membership in BCLA has grown to more than 100 professional librarians, library workers, friends, media specialists and retired librarians.