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DATE: October 2, 2012
MEDIA CONTACT: Lillian Perricone
PHONE: 954-357-8243
EMAIL: lperrico@broward.org
The Bienes Museum of the Modern Book: The Dianne and Michael Bienes Special Collections and Rare Book Library, located at 100 S. Andrews Ave., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 (954-357-8243) presents Around the World with the WPA: Books and Artifacts from Government-Funded Projects During the FDR Era. The exhibit showcases published works, architectural models, transportation models, mannequins, costume plates and posters with a national and international flavor. All artifacts and books were created by artists, writers and craftsmen for Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s Works Progress Administration, which provided relief and employment for many during the Great Depression.
One of the WPA’s special programs, the Federal Writers' Project, published a set of state guides known as the American Guide Series. These colorful books celebrated the state’s history and culture and promoted its major cities and attractions as well as including numerous automobile tours. The WPA also sponsored early multicultural projects that recognized indigenous and ethnic traditions. Along with the books and materials focused on the United States, Around the World with the WPA also features unique WPA artifacts focusing on international cultures and countries.
Additionally, Broward County Library’s newest eBook, The History of Broward County, also includes an “Automobile Tour Guide of Broward County” that was excerpted from the book Florida: A Guide to the Southernmost State (Oxford University Press, 1939) which was compiled and written by the Federal Writers' Project of the WPA for the State of Florida. Travel on a 1930s road trip with this unique, historical guide to the sites and cities of South Florida during that time. The History of Broward County also includes brief summaries of other WPA titles in the collections of the Bienes Museum such as Birds in Florida, The Conchs of Riviera, Florida Seafood Crockery and more. View or download The History of Broward County on Broward County Library’s Digital Collections page.
Around the World with the WPA is currently running through December 2012. The exhibit is free and open to the public during regular Main Library hours: Monday, Thursday and Friday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Tuesday, Wednesday: 12 to 8 p.m. For more information, please call 954-357-8692 or 954-357-8243. To watch a video tour of the exhibit, please click here.
The award-winning Broward County Libraries Division, founded in 1974, is the ninth largest library system in the nation by population served and one of the busiest, with more than 9 million walk-in customers visiting its 37 locations annually. The library has more than 3.4 million items and 2,000 computers for public use and offers hundreds of events and programs to meet the needs of the Broward County's diverse community. The library continues its strong emphasis on literacy, after-school programs and electronic access. In addition to our comprehensive and award-winning Web site, www.broward.org/library, which provides information about library activities, links to online catalogs, reference information and databases, customers can visit BCL WoW – Broward County Library Without Walls – for free eBooks, music, audiobooks, apps and more. Customers may also follow Libraries on Facebook and Twitter. Libraries Division also administers the services, programs, collections and exhibits of the Historical Commission.
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