Adult Learning Academy Registration is Now Open
New Semester Begins April 4
Attention adult learners! Registration for the spring semester of the Miami-Dade Public Library System’s Adult Learning Academy is now open. Whether you need to prepare for an exam, brush up on your math and reading skills or would like to learn a new language, our free courses taught by certified teachers will help you build the foundation for success in life, school and work.
Adults 18 years and older who live in Miami-Dade County can register for classes in a variety of subjects, including language learning in English, Spanish and Portuguese, basic education and test preparation. The seven- and ten-week evening courses are offered Mondays through Thursdays beginning April 4, 2022. Dates and times vary.
Select courses are available in a hybrid format, with instructors teaching both in-person* and online learners during the same class. Adult learners must indicate whether they are attending the course in person or online at the time of registration.
*In-person classes available at the North Dade, South Dade and Westchester Regional Libraries.
For more information and to register, please visit www.mdpls.org/adultlearning.
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 "Grow with Google" kick-off event at Main Library in downtown Miami on March 9.
From left to right: Director Margaret Brisbane, Miami-Dade County Information Technology Department; Director Michael Liu, Miami-Dade County Public Housing and Community Development Department; Miami-Dade Public Library System Director Ray Baker; Miami-Dade County Commissioner Raquel Regalado; Jacqueline Walker, President, North Park at Scott Carver Resident Council; Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava; Sebastian Valverde, Regional Managing Director – Agencies and Products for LATAM Google; Trey Johnson, Account Executive, Google Cloud Platform; CareerSource South Florida Executive Director Rick Beasley
Watch this Miami-Dade Minute to see highlights of the event and learn more.
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Get Free Tech Training: Google Career Certificate Scholarships Now Available
Looking to learn new skills to qualify for in-demand technology jobs? Technology training scholarships are now available for qualified residents through a newly launched “Grow with Google” partnership between Miami-Dade County, CareerSource South Florida and Google.
Five hundred Google Career Certificate scholarships donated by Google are available for low-income and public housing residents in Miami-Dade County to receive job-ready skills training in data analytics, IT support, project management and UX (user experience) design within 3-6 months, with no experience or degree required to participate.
To apply for a Google Career Certificate Scholarship, click here.
Residents who would like to participate in the program, but don't have access to a computer or the internet, can check out a Chromebook laptop with free built-in internet from any library location with a library card. The Library will begin offering Chromebooks for residents to borrow and use at home at the beginning of April as part of our Community Internet Connectivity Initiative, which provides Miami-Dade County residents with more digital connectivity options and equitable access to the internet and technology.
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Golden Glades Branch Library
The Golden Glades Branch Library opened its doors to the public 15 years ago to the day - March 15, 2007. It was the first of 10 libraries built and funded under the Miami-Dade Public Library System’s Capital Plan approved by the Board of County Commissioners in 2001 to make library services more accessible to residents throughout the County.
Learn more about the Golden Glades Branch Library in this week's Branch Spotlight.
Click here to read more.
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Library Story
Public libraries mean many things to many people. As we continue to celebrate the Library's 50th anniversary, we highlight this week’s story from Ellen, a patron at Main Library.
“Growing up, my son loved to read. He was diagnosed with ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), but reading seemed to be an activity where he could sit quietly and focus. Spending time at the library was his all-time favorite thing to do. Unlike going to a bookstore, he couldn't believe he could really take books home to borrow for free. We have many wonderful memories spending time discovering all the library has to offer.”
We'd love to hear your story. Click here to share your favorite library memory or experience with us.
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Employee Spotlight
Jonathan Quinones, the Young Adult librarian at Main Library in downtown Miami, is always looking for innovative ways to reach teens. Jon began his career at Miami-Dade Public Library System in 2017 at the Allapattah Branch Library and transferred to Main Library in 2021.
What are your hobbies?
I like DJ’ing and playing music. I have always loved listening to music. As a kid I would stay up late to replay albums and began a hobby of collecting vinyl records.
What is your favorite library memory?
My favorite memory is of DJ’ing at the Allapattah Branch Library’s grand reopening in 2018, where I was working at the time. This event felt like a culmination of all the hard work we had put in over the years to make the library an enriching space for the community. It was truly an honor to be able to do something I love for a place I love.
What library programs do you present?
As the Young Adult librarian at Main Library, my job is to come up with new programming for our teen audience. My favorite is a DJ Basics for Beginners class I present every Wednesday to teach participants to cue, match and mix beats.
What is your favorite library event?
The Stronger Together Book Club, which gets together once a month to discuss thought-provoking book titles that explore cultural awareness, discrimination, and race.
What was the last item you checked out using the library's digital resources?
I used Freegal Music, the library's digital music provider, to download the song Spooky by Dusty Springfield. It's got a killer groove.
You enjoy cooking. What is the last recipe you made from a cookbook at the library?
I made buttermilk-marinated roast chicken from Samin Nosrat's Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat: Mastering The Elements of Good Cooking, a comforting meal shared with friends and loved ones.
What was your favorite book as a kid?
I love the great characters and sense of adventure in Jerry Spinelli's Maniac Magee.
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Women's History Month
Rhyme and Meter 101 – Female Voices
Join us to learn the basic rules of rhyme and meter through poetic examples from some of the most masterful women poets, including Elizabeth Bishop and Nicki Minaj. Get creative during the second half of the discussion by using the rules to write your own poems. Sharing is optional! Ages 14 years and up.
Saturday, March 19, 4:00 - 5:30 p.m.
Main Library
Registration is required. For more information, please contact the branch.
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Women's History Month
Voices from Florida: How Black Women Changed Healthcare in Miami-Dade County
Join Miami-born writer, audio producer and community activist Nadege Green as she discusses how Black women helped change healthcare in Miami-Dade County and the importance of understanding Miami's Black past, present and future. All ages.
Saturday, March 26, 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Main Library
For more information, please contact the branch.
Voices from Florida is a monthly series presented by the Miami-Dade Public Library System’s Special Collections & Archives Division that explores Florida’s culture, literature, history and communities.
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MDPLS Virtual Author Series
Explore a Mystical World with Author David Raymond
Join Amazon bestselling local author David Raymond as he presents his book, The Mermaid of Arch Creek, a humorous adult fairy tale set in a mystical region that is rich in folklore. Ages 19 years and up.
Saturday, March 19, 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Register online
Registration is required. Main Library is hosting this online event.
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Health & Fitness
REV + FLOW Functional Fitness
Strengthen and sculpt your muscles with the REV+FLOW fitness method. Join us as we work on developing strength and balance with low impact exercises during this six-week series for all fitness levels led by a certified fitness instructor. Ages 19 years and up.
Thursday, March 24, 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Miami Lakes Branch Library
Registration is required. For more information, please contact the branch.
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From playing ice hockey in the NHL to flying a single-engine aircraft around the world, this month's Staff Picks for kids features a selection of inspirational stories about the dreams and successes of pioneering women in celebration of Women's History Month.
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Sharpen your computer, internet and tech skills at the library! From basic computer classes to internet workshops and more, there is always something happening at your Miami-Dade Public Libraries. Click the registration links on the right for more information.
Browse our online Calendar of Events to explore a variety of other programs. Select a date and filter your search by event type, keyword, age range or library location to get started.
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Basic Computer Skills (In-Person Event)
Friday, March 18, 10:00 - 11:00 a.m.
Lemon City Branch Library
Ages 19 years and up.
Tech Help (In-Person Event)
Friday, March 18, 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Kendall Branch Library
Ages 19 years and up.
eDevice Advice (Online Event)
Monday, March 21, 3:00 - 4:00 p.m.
South Shore Branch Library
Ages 18 years and up.
Introduction to Computers: Email (In-Person Event)
Monday, March 21, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
North Dade Regional Library
Ages 18 years and up.
Introduction to Computers and the Internet (In-Person Event)
Thursday, March 24, 4:30 - 5:30 p.m.
Opa-locka Branch Library
Ages 19 years and up.
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