BROWARD COUNTY: Museum and Libraries Partner for Early Childhood Learning Initiative in Broward
Young learners and caregivers will gain access to new interactive stations and book collections across county library branches.
The Museum of Discovery and Science has partnered with the Broward County Library to introduce a new community learning initiative. The program, titled Character Corners, brings hands-on educational stations and dedicated book collections directly to library patrons across the county.
Funded by Lilly Endowment Inc., the project draws inspiration from the museum's exhibit titled Build a Better World: The Future Begins with You. Officials plan to mark the launch with a ribbon-cutting ceremony scheduled for Sept. 24 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Broward County Main Library in downtown Fort Lauderdale.
Interactive Stations and Book Nooks
The initiative features interactive Character Corners installed at seven regional Broward County library branches. In addition, Book Nooks have been established across all 36 library branches throughout the county.
Designed specifically for children up to the age of 6 and their caregivers, the program encourages young learners to explore, learn, and problem-solve together through shared activities and specialized reading materials.
Core Skills and Community Impact
The curriculum focuses on four foundational character traits: critical thinking to foster curiosity, caring to encourage kindness, confidence to build motivation, and cooperation to promote teamwork.
Book Nook selections will refresh every three months, rotating through themes centered on these four core skills throughout the year. Families can also participate in themed story times and related library activities.
According to Joseph P. Cox, president and CEO of the museum, the effort extends the reach of the original exhibit by translating themes of individual character strengths and collective action into accessible neighborhood experiences.
