As ideological differences divide our nation, it is vital for the public library to engage in issues of social justice and provide a forum for community discourse. Since 2017, Broward County Library has presented numerous discussion series to do just that. In Spring 2020, these programs were canceled due to restrictions on public gatherings. The challenge was to create a virtual forum where these discussions could continue and create an online space where guests could share their thoughts and experiences.

Broward County Library hosts three event series designed to foster community dialogue: Cultural Conversations at the Center, Stand Up, Speak Out and the Director’s Book Club Discussions. When COVID-19 shut down libraries, these important programs moved online. To date, eight Virtual Forums for Community Connections have been successfully presented online for children, teens and adults. An interactive Social Justice Project web page was added to encourage the community to share their social justice experiences.

Attendance at in-person community forums had been increasing before COVID-19 shutdowns, but library staff was unsure if that would continue when the programs moved online. It did! A September 3 “Cultural Conversations” event celebrating local icon and actress Esther Rolle’s 100th birthday had 315 live viewers and has reached over 96,000. A May event celebrating the cultural significance of musician Stevie Wonder had 220 viewers and reached over 7,000, and the library anticipates continued success with similar future programs.