Bienes Museum of the Modern Book

The Bienes Museum of the Modern Book, previously known as the Bienes Center for the Literary Arts, is the rare book department of the Broward County Library in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States. The Broward County Libraries Division's Bienes Museum of the Modern Book opened to the public on December 5, 1996. James A. Findlay was the first Museum Librarian. The Bienes Museum is home to special collections totaling more than 15,000 items, including rare books, artifacts, manuscripts, and reference materials. The Museum was started with the help of philanthropists Diane and Michael Bienes' donation of $1 million. Support for the start of the Bienes Museum of the Modern Books was also provided by a grant from the Broward Public Library Foundation. Additional funding was also received from the Florida Department of State Division of Cultural Affairs and the Florida Arts Council. The Bienes' also donated many books and artifacts from their personal collection in order to add to the collection of items housed by the Museum. The Bienes Museum is housed in an 8,300 square foot facility that architect Donald Singer designed. The Museum has a curved wood ceiling above slatted wood walls with a combination of glass, granite, and ceramic tiles. The Museum has a 25-seat conference room and a 60-seat Ceremonial Room available for lectures and programs.