Anywhere in America, November is a time of being thankful for something. It’s a double-header holiday month, with twice as much to be grateful for.

First comes Veterans Day, when we give our appreciation to every man, woman and animal who is or has been part of the United States military. In addition to recognizing our soldiers, we also acknowledge the families that support them, through multiple moves, deployments and all the demands of service.

This year, we’ll be paying special tribute with Vet Fest 2021, featuring six free events throughout November that celebrate their courage and sacrifice. There are also year-round resources for veterans on the library’s website, including the Veterans Connect Hotspot Program, winner of the SirsiDynix 2020 Power of Libraries Award, that allows active military members and their  dependents to check out Wi-Fi hotspots they can use to access free Internet any-time and anywhere.

Are you looking forward to Thanksgiving, with a few days off, the chance to gather with family, and a pass to overindulge guilt-free when pie is brought out? Thanksgiving is such a lovely holiday, rooted in compassionate sharing and fellowship between cultures. In November 1621, at a time when Native Americans could have abandoned the needy, helpless strangers who found their way ashore, they reached out and nurtured them.

Libraries embrace similar social and cultural challenges with 21st century pilgrims. I am proud and grateful that our libraries are inclusive for everyone, including newcomers. A hallmark of our libraries is that we are the community go-to as places of opportunity, with award-winning initiatives like Project Welcome. This project won the 2020 Library Innovation Award for support of English-language learners/newcomers to Broward with targeted library services for literacy, economic prosperity and a sense of belonging.

This leads me to another shining point of gratitude: library staff. It is the library employees who come up with ideas, apply for grants, and create and carry out these and other programs to enhance the community. Your friends at the library are al-ways thinking of more to do and novel ways to serve you better.

The staff and I are grateful to you, the customer, for allowing us to serve you. Thank you for holding fast with us through the twists and turns of COVID-19, curbside service, online events and in-person visits. Without you, every creative, interesting thing we do would have no meaning. You are our focus and pleasing you is our goal – when we succeed, let us know!

Allison Grubbs

Director of Broward County Libraries