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    Helen Hoffman Library

    4.6 (9 reviews)

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    Ariel W.

    This library in Plantation, Florida was named for community activist. H. "Betty" Hoffman who founded the city library. She was among the first 12 residents to settle the area that became Plantation when she moved here from Chicago in 1948 with her husband Abram. In 1949 Betty organized the Plantation Homeowners Association which pushed for the incorporation of the city. She also founded the Plantation Woman's Club. The library was started in a sixth grade classroom in Peter's Elementary in 1961. Books were purchased with funds raised by the Plantation Women's Club and the Civitans and the library was open four nights a week. With Mrs. Hoffman's persistence the city agreed to take over the library in 1963 and it was moved to the community center. In 1968 the city built the library its own building and it was renamed the Helen Hoffman Plantation Library. Mrs. Hoffman served as the library's director until she passed away. Today the Helen Hoffman Library has 70,000 books to lend to Plantation residents. It is not part of the county library system although the West Regional Library is a county library located in Plantation. The library is currently closed for repairs. The collection of books has been moved to Deicke Auditorium. You can still reserve items online and pick them up at the auditorium. On the day I stopped by the library was having a fundraiser to raise money to repair the roof. For $5 you could fill up a bag with books. They had a wide selection and I found a lot of great things for my students. Located behind the library is the Plantation Historical Museum. Like the library it too remains closed.

    Do people really need to be told not to use toilet paper to dry there hands?
    Broward_Empir E.

    God, I want to give this place five stars, but it just wouldn't be fair. WHAT IS RIGHT ABOUT THIS PLACE Real card catalog cabinets, stacks of books, a comfortable reading room, and that patented library silence are all features boasted by the HHL. Everything about the location is tranquil. The Helen Hoffman Library is buried in a tree-lined section of Old Plantation, and the grounds are lush and green. The stacks may not be comprehensive, but there is definitely something for everyone. This place works for studying, reading, and banging out Yelp reviews. Think of your high school library, but with much older students. A FEW MINOR ANNOYANCES We weren't sure if the problem is that the library predates modern air circulation systems or if there might have been one or two rank denizens, but there is a faint musty aroma wafting throughout the place. No matter where we went, we couldn't escape it. It's not overpowering enough to make most people leave, but it's noticeable, especially for the first few minutes. There are also a lot of naggy signs reminding you not to use your cellphone or bring food into the library, but that's to be expected. WEIRD BATHROOM The bathrooms are clean, but a little strange. One of them is this cavernous single-person water closet with a mysterious door towards the back, near the open toilet. The effect is that you feel like some custodian or librarian might swing open the door and wind up standing 18" from where you're utilizing the plumbing. Even if they were to move quickly, they would run the risk of brushing against your knees. Bring a boulder to prop against the door. CONCLUSION Grab a box of snuff and enjoy this Broward County trophy.

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    1 month ago

    This cozy library is perfect for students and adults who are looking for a quiet place to study or relax with a good book.

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    16 days ago

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    1 month ago

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    Alvin Sherman Library - Mad cool library system where you can press a button and move the shelves. What a smart space saver.

    Alvin Sherman Library

    4.5(31 reviews)
    3.5 mi

    This is a beautiful multi floor library that is shared with the nova university. The library has a…read morelot of light mini books and different computers to use. There are several floors of seating. The library itself is pretty quiet but gets louder throughout the day so I like to go in the morning. They have a pay by phone parking lot just a few blocks away.

    Absolutely beautiful library. This is a massive private university library located on campus at…read moreNova Southwestern University in Davie. Although it's a private library, it is available to the public. My friend told me about this library as her middle school son volunteered here during the summer. She said it was really nice during the summer when it was quiet and they had the library to themselves. I went during the weekday last week. In the midst of back to school college students everywhere! Lol. They have security by the main entrance and college students are asked to scan their university IDs. All other guests will be let in by the guard. You must have a Broward County Libraries card to check out books at this location. The nice thing is, you can return the books to any Broward County Library and they will ship the book directly to Alvin Sherman Library. So convenient. When you walk into the library, the circulation desk is on the left, there is a computer working lab area on the right, and if you go straight, you'll find the children's book location, there are new books located on the spinning racks next to the stairs, and there is also a hidden bestseller books room located next to the circulation desk and entrance/exit. I believe there are four floors in this library. Tons and tons of tables and rooms for study areas for the college students. My favorite part about this museum is the Chihuly display on the second floor, they fancy! Another fascinating thing about this library, are the moving bookshelves! You heard me right. They have digital buttons where you can move the actual bookshelves. It's such a smart way to save space. Brilliant. Unfortunately, they don't have any Friends of the Library books for sale at this location. But the librarian did mention they have two big annual book sales per year. You can sign up for newsletter on their website. There are also two book returns at the roundabout outside of the library in case you don't want to park and get out of your car. There is a parking garage but you have to pay for parking using the park by mobile app. I believe it was $1.61 per hour. Students park for free with their NSU parking stickers.

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    Alvin Sherman Library - Mad cool library system where you can press a button and move the shelves. What a smart space saver.

    Mad cool library system where you can press a button and move the shelves. What a smart space saver.

    Alvin Sherman Library - NSU Annual Used Book Sale 2025.

    NSU Annual Used Book Sale 2025.

    Alvin Sherman Library - New Reese's Book Club pick. Adding to list.

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    New Reese's Book Club pick. Adding to list.

    Broward County Libraries - Tamarac Branch - Tamarac branch library - Tamarac

    Broward County Libraries - Tamarac Branch

    3.2(10 reviews)
    5.1 mi

    I stopped by the Tamarac branch library to pick up a dvd I had placed on hold. The dvd could have…read morebeen sent to a library branch closest to me, but I didn't mind the drive. It was a very large space with many organized shelves displaying a vast genre of books, dvds, cds, and audio books. There were plenty of computers, seats, and table seating throughout, which gave it a functional feel. If you want more privacy, you can request a quiet room. After picking up the dvd from the hold section, I walked around and chose a few more movies to watch. I wish I could borrow some cds, but my vehicle is not equipped with a cd player. Oh how I miss those good old days. Venturing to other Broward County libraries are interesting. Despite the world's shift toward digitalization, it is appreciated that the libraries are still offering their resources to the community.

    I'm not crazy and my memory serves me right! Not only have I reviewed my neighborhood library, but…read moreI have posted wonderful photos too. This is the closest library to home and we have come here for nearly two decades. They have made great strides at keeping it clean inside and out. The books (including a Spanish language collection), reading materials and DVD selection is well organized. In addition to the 100-seat room for meetings, they have a computer room for adults with space for a couple dozen people. Years ago, I spent many hours there and it was quiet enough that you could flow in your thoughts to write. Moreover, they've added computers so more children can work on iReady and play educational games. There isn't a time I've walked in here that there aren't a number of tutors helping children and adults alike. The staff is helpful and there is a guard who assists them, which is an added bonus in the afternoons when the students from the nearby Middle/High School start coming in. In addition to the parking spaces in the front (facing Commercial Blvd.), there is parking in the side and rear of the lake that divides the library from the Tamarac Community Center. Following are their hours of operation: Monday: 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM Tuesday: 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM Wednesday: 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM Thursday: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Friday: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Saturday: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Sunday: CLOSED

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    Broward County Libraries - Tamarac Branch - Children's area

    Children's area

    Broward County Libraries - Tamarac Branch - Check out area

    Check out area

    Broward County Libraries - Tamarac Branch - Many movies and TV series

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    Many movies and TV series

    Broward County Libraries - Southwest Regional Library - Tutor room

    Broward County Libraries - Southwest Regional Library

    4.0(27 reviews)
    11.2 mi

    Southwest Regional Library is located in the eastern portion of the 77-acre Academic Village, which…read morealso houses Pembroke Pines Charter School and Broward College Pines Center. Dedicated in 2000, it was the first library built with funds from the $139 million library bond issue approved by Broward County voters in 1999. This 78,000-square-foot, two-story library is a joint-use facility of the Broward County Library System and Pembroke Pines. It's open to the public while also serving as the school library for charter high school students. Broward College students have access to a computer lab on the first floor. The library's collection includes over 100,000 lending items for children and adults in multiple languages, including books and multimedia. Amenities include a teen activity room, children's storytime room, 300-seat auditorium, gift shop, classrooms, quiet study rooms, conference rooms, tutoring rooms, and a computer lab. Programs for all ages are offered regularly--details are available at the front desk or on the library's website. On my visit, there was a holiday model train exhibit. More recently they had a St. Patrick's Day photo op on the second floor and an Easter Peeps diorama contest. Broward County truly excels at libraries, and Southwest Regional is no exception. The space is large, clean, modern, and welcoming. The lobby floor features a terrazzo design that gives the illusion of the Everglades, while the ceiling shows the sky from an alligator's underwater perspective--a really fun touch. Whether you're studying, working remotely, or just browsing, there's plenty of room to spread out. Quiet areas are genuinely quiet, and community spaces feel relaxed and inviting. If you haven't visited a library in a while, Southwest Regional might surprise you with how much it can enrich your day.

    This is my favorite library in Broward to bring my baby. When he was really young we would come to…read morethe classes and the librarians leading the classes are amazing. The layout of each corner of the library really caters to each group, with the entire upstairs being nice and quiet for adults. All the staff are really friendly and helpful. We had a ball at the ArtLit festival today - West African drums & dancing, green screen photo shoot, flower painting, giant alligator characters, Everglades improv show, food trucks, small business tents. All the volunteers were so friendly, found out about so many community, and enjoyed all the activities and booths. Can't wait for next year when baby is older and can enjoy even more. The miniature railroad display put on a couple weeks ago, was so impressive. Highly recommend keeping a pulse on all their events.

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    Broward County Libraries - Southwest Regional Library
    Broward County Libraries - Southwest Regional Library
    Broward County Libraries - Southwest Regional Library

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    Helen Hoffman Library - libraries - Updated May 2026

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