BROWARD COUNTY, FL - Broward County Library has been recognized with four 2026 Achievement Awards from the National Association of Counties (NACo). These awards honor innovative, effective county government programs that strengthen services for residents.

The following Broward County Library programs received NACo Achievement Awards:

Freegal Quest was a three-month, multi-channel marketing campaign that successfully increased customer awareness and usage of the library's Freegal streaming music service. The campaign resulted in a 154% increase in new Freegal users and a 33% increase in the number of songs streamed.

Panthers and Pages is an ongoing, high-impact collaboration between the Florida Panthers hockey team and the library that includes the Florida Panthers Summer Reading Tour; participation in the "Books 'n' Bears" holiday program for underserved youth; and the launch of a popular Florida Panthers-branded library card.

The Pinwheel Festival, held at the Davie-Cooper City Branch, was a community event that raised awareness of child abuse by providing families with resources and information about parenting and child development along with a book giveaway, children's activities, and the planting of pinwheels symbolizing the happy childhood all young people deserve.

Pop-Up Hollywood Branch Library: After a hit-and-run vehicle crash rendered the Hollywood Branch unusable, a critical service gap emerged. In response, Broward County Library launched a temporary Hollywood Pop-Up Library at a nearby community center that provided literacy services, storytimes, and material pick-up/returns.

Each year, NACo's Achievement Awards recognize outstanding programming aligned with the vast, comprehensive services counties provide.  Launched in 1970, the program is designed to celebrate innovation in county government. 

"We are honored to be recognized for our efforts to improve the lives of Broward County residents through meaningful programs, services, and initiatives that positively impact our communities," said Broward County Library Director Allison Grubbs.

The 2026 Achievement Awards will be presented at NACo's Annual Conference and Exposition, held in New Orleans, Louisiana, on July 19, 2026.

Broward County Libraries Division, named 2026, 2020 and 2015 Library of the Year by the Florida Library Association, was founded in 1974 and is one of the largest and busiest library systems in Florida. Broward County Libraries Division's 37 locations 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. Visit our website, Broward.org/Library, or follow Libraries on Facebook and X.

*The Libraries Division is a service of the Broward County Board of County Commissioners.