What's Happening at Your Library - March 22, 2022

What's Happening at Your Library
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March 22, 2022

Revolutionary Women

Revolutionary Women:  Writing About War

Women have made major contributions to important events throughout history. In celebration of Women's History Month, join us online for a fascinating discussion about the experiences of women during the American Revolutionary War. From making supplies for the armies to managing and defending their households and challenging the old political order, hear their stories as told through the lens of their travel diaries, memoirs and more while gaining new insights into their experiences, the war and its legacy.  Ages 19 years and up.

Thursday, March 31, 5:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Register online

Presented by the Museum of the American Revolution.

Registration is required. The North Shore Branch Library is hosting this online event.


LinkedIn Learning

In the spotlight

LinkedIn Learning

From animation and business skills to web design, video editing and more, gain access to over 16,000 quality courses led by experts in their respective fields using up-to-date content with LinkedIn Learning (formerly Lynda.com), free with your library card.

This on-demand program features video lessons in a variety of topics and is available in several languages, including English, Spanish, French, German, Portuguese and Mandarin. Lessons can be accessed on both desktop computers and mobile devices.

Patron Notice
If you're a former user of Lynda.com (now LinkedIn Learning), you can have your course history transferred over by logging into LinkedIn Learning by March 30, 2022, if you haven't done so already. As of March 31, patrons who have not logged into LinkedIn Learning will no longer have access to their Lynda.com history.

Visit www.mdpls.org/learning to get started.


MDPLS in the News

Miami-Dade Public Library System Featured on Community Focus Radio Public Affairs Program

From mobile device lending and Wi-Fi connectivity to offering online access to popular magazines and newspapers, the Library provides Miami-Dade County residents with countless services that can help them save money and connect with the world.

Listen as Library Director Ray Baker joins Easy 93.1 FM’s Ellen Jaffe on Community Focus, the station’s public affairs program, to discuss these and other essential library resources, our 50th anniversary celebration and how our Community Internet Connectivity Initiative is helping to narrow the digital divide in our community.

Listen to the full interview and learn more here

MDPLS Radio Interview

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West Kendall Regional Library Slideshow

Branch Spotlight

West Kendall Regional Library

The West Kendall Regional Library is one of the Miami-Dade Public Library System's busiest locations. Opened in 1990, it serves the communities of West Kendall, Kendall, Country Walk and Kendale Lakes. It's also the only regional library in Miami-Dade County located within a shopping center.

Learn more about the West Kendall Regional Library in this week's Branch Spotlight.

Click here to read more.


Library Story 

Public libraries offer many tools and resources that can help families connect with each other. As we continue to celebrate the Library's 50th anniversary, we highlight this week’s story from Barbara, a patron at Miami Beach Regional Library, who shares how the library helped her connect with her grandchildren during the pandemic and beyond.

"I started a 'storytime with grandma' during the pandemic, reading online to my grandchildren in Texas from Massachusetts. When we became Florida residents last year, I didn't have books to read to them, so I walked four blocks from my condo to the Miami Beach Regional Library and got a library card. Now my grandchildren start a call by asking, 'Grandma, do you have any stories to read to us?' I love telling them that I walked to the library and got new books to share with them! Now that we're making our home in Miami Beach, I also started taking Spanish lessons through MDPLS. Muchas gracias!"

We'd love to hear your story. Click here to share your favorite library memory or experience with us.

Library Story

Celebrating 50 Years of the Miami-Dade Public Library System

Shanise Watson

Employee Spotlight

Adult Learners Are Shanise Watson's Focus

Shanise Watson joined the Miami-Dade Public Library System in 2020.  As a member of the Education Services team, her primary focus is the Library's Project L.E.A.D. (Literacy for Every Adult in Dade) program designed to assist English-speaking adults with low literacy competency. The program provides free, one‑on‑one confidential tutoring to help adult learners improve their reading and writing skills.

What is your favorite online resource offered by the Library?
I access NewsBank daily to read The Miami Herald. I also use the Learning and Training page on the Library's website to access The New York Times. I really enjoy all the courses you can take and what you can teach yourself through LinkedIn Learning. Another favorite is the Library's Mango Languages learning resource, which offers over 70 language options. Having studied abroad in England, Spain, Venezuela and Puerto Rico, speaking fluently in Spanish has been a goal of mine.

What was the last song/album you downloaded from Freegal Music, the Library's digital music provider?
I used Freegal Music to download Medicine at Midnight by Foo Fighters. Their music helped me stay upbeat through some very difficult times. I have been following their drummer Dave Grohl since he played with Nirvana. In fact his book, The Storyteller: Tales of Life and Music, is next on my reading list.

Do you prefer fiction or non-fiction? 
Non-fiction is more interesting to me than fiction, with the exception of Harry Potter! The magic of Harry Potter helps me get away from the stresses of life. I mostly enjoy reading magazines with informational content and current events, such as National Geographic.

What's your favorite library moment? 
When the COVID-19 pandemic happened, I was able to transition Project L.E.A.D. to a virtual program and later a hybrid program (both online and in-person), which more than doubled participation.


Drive-up Wi-Fi

Women's History Month

Create Art Like Amalia Amaki

Celebrate Women's History Month by learning about mixed-media artist Amalia Amaki, who specializes in artwork that represents African American culture. Join us to learn about her life and work using our HistoryMakers digital archive, then create a piece inspired by her art using mixed media supplies. Materials will be provided. Ages 12 - 18 years.

Friday, March 25, 3:30 - 4:30 p.m.
Miami Springs Branch Library

Registration is required. For more information, please contact the branch.

Arts and Crafts

3D Dot Flower

Women's History Month

Yayoi Kusama 3D Dot Flowers

Polka dots aren’t just for clothing. Join us at the library or online to make an original 3D flower sculpture using dots and patterns inspired by "the princess of polka dots," Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama. Ages 7 - 13 years.

Saturday, March 26, Noon - 2:00 p.m.
(In-person event)
North Shore Branch Library

Tuesday, March 29, 6:00 - 7:00 p.m.
(Online event)
Register online*

Registration is required.

*The Naranja Branch Library is hosting this online event.


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Book Club

The Children's Trust Book Club

It’s never too early to help your child develop a love for reading! Our partners at The Children's Trust invite you to meet new friends and explore exciting stories through their expanded Book Club! Parents of children ages five years and younger who live in Miami-Dade County can sign up to have a new book that they can keep mailed to them every month for free. Books are available in English and Spanish.

A guide for parents with activities and
suggestions on how to share the book with even the youngest of readers is included with each book.

Click here to learn more and sign up!

The Children's Trust Book Club

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Digital Resources

With excitement building over the upcoming release of the newest movie set in the Harry Potter universe, revisit the magic and mischief of your favorite Harry Potter stories on hoopla Digital with a collection of eBooks and eAudiobooks, available for free with your library card.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone Cover
Crimes of Grindlewald Cover
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Cover

Calendar of Events


Catch up on your reading and join the conversation about your favorite books at the library! From reading alongside a therapy dog to book clubs and book discussions, there is always something happening at your Miami-Dade Public Libraries. Click the registration links on the right for more information.

You can also browse our online Calendar of Events to explore more programs. Select a date and filter your search by event type, keyword, age range or library location to get started.

The Big Read 2022 Book Discussion (In-Person and Online Events)

Dates and times vary.
Click here for more information
Ages 19 years and up.


Furry Tales: Reading with Charlie Brown (In-Person Event)

Saturday, March 26, 11:00 a.m. - Noon
South Miami Branch Library
All ages.


Book Discussion: The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides  (Online Event)

Saturday, March 26, 2:30 - 4:00 p.m.
Northeast Dade - Aventura Branch Library
Ages 19 years and up.


YA Book and TV Show Chat (In-Person Event) 

Wednesday, March 30, 4:30 - 5:00 p.m.
Fairlawn Branch Library
Ages 12 - 18 years.


Will Smith Youth Book Club (Online Event)

Thursday, March 24, 4:30 - 5:30 p.m.
West Kendall Regional Library
Ages 14 years and up.