What's Happening at Your Library - June 20, 2023

What's Happening at Your Library
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June 20, 2023

2023 Caribbean American Heritage Month

Celebrate Caribbean American Heritage Month with the Library

From author presentations to music and dance, join us for programs and events celebrating National Caribbean American Heritage Month. Commemorated every year June, it's a recognition of the history, culture and achievements of Caribbean Americans and their contributions to our nation and its history.

mdpls local author series

Author Michelle Hood-Julien and her book In Grenada, What Do You See?

Explore Grenada with Author Michelle Hood-Julien
Take a trip to the beautiful land of Grenada as local author Michelle Hood-Julien reads In Grenada, What Do You See?, a story about a grandfather showing his grandchildren the wonders of his homeland. Enjoy an interactive craft activity following the story. Registration is required. Ages 4 years and up.

Tuesday, June 27, 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Palm Springs North Branch Library

Author Faidherbe (Fedo) Boyer and his book Bal pou bèt a kòn

Hear Haitian Folktales with Author Faidherbe (Fedo) Boyer
Enjoy classic Haitian folk stories with local author Fedo Boyer as he reads the adventures of Konpè Chat and Konpè Chen in Bal pou bèt a kòn. Full of heart and whimsy, these stories are fun for the whole family! Program will be presented in English and Creole. Ages 0 to 5 years.

Thursday, June 29, 10:00 - 11:00 a.m.
Lemon City Branch Library

music & dance

Caribbean Vibes Workout
Dancing can help keep your heart and mind strong. Enjoy a fun workout incorporating musical elements of Soca, Reggae, Kompa
and more! Ages 13 years and up.

Saturday, June 24, 10:00 - 11:00 a.m.
North Shore Branch Library

Soul of the Caribbean
Sit back, relax and take a musical journey with artist Reggie Paul, one of the Caribbean's most popular performers. Made possible by the City of Coral Gables. All ages.

Saturday, June 24, 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Coral Gables Branch Library

 


2023 Summer Reading Challenge

Archaeology Adventure

all together now: Summer Program

Archaeology Adventure

Learn about the science of archaeology and its importance in understanding the past, plus enjoy a garbology activity that shows that one person's trash is another’s artifact. Registration is required. Ages 6 years and up.

Thursday, June 22, 4:00 – 5:00 p.m.
North Shore Branch

Presented by Miami EcoAdventures.


Happy 4th of July! In observance of Independence Day, all branches will be closed Tuesday, July 4.

all together now: summer programs

Enjoy Summer Magic at the Library

Join magician Brent Gregory for a fun, interactive show that combines mind-bending magic with comedy. All ages.

Saturday, June 24, 11:00 a.m. – noon
Hispanic Branch

Saturday, June 24, 3:00 - 4:00 p.m.
South Dade Regional

Monday, June 26, 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.
International Mall Branch

Magically Together

2023 Mind Summer Theater Intensive

Summer theater workshops

Engaging Summer Theater Workshops Available for Kids

Attention parents! Looking to enroll your kids in  a fun and engaging activity this summer? You might want to check out Miami New Drama's MiND Summer Theater Intensive

Led by theater professionals, this series of programs being held at the Miami Beach Regional Library offers students an interactive experience designed to help them develop new skills and become well-rounded artists. 

Two-week programs for kids ages 8 to 12 will take place Monday through Friday beginning July 10 through August 4.

Library users receive a full scholarship using the promo code MDPLS23. Simply enter the code when prompted at checkout and your class will be covered. Code expires on June 30, 2023.

Click here for more information.

Free Lunch at the Library

employee spotlight

Eric Rodriguez

Eric Rodriguez Shares His Love of Learning with the Community

Before joining the Miami-Dade Public Library System in April 2018, Eric Rodriguez taught history at Miami Dade College for over 10 years and was previously an educator with Miami-Dade County Public Schools.

Eric now serves as a librarian at the South Dade Regional Library, where he enjoys helping patrons and making a positive impact on their lives.

What is your favorite part about working for the Library?
I love teaching our computer class for older adults. They're so appreciative and eager to learn. I also enjoy ordering video games and graphic novels for the library’s collection!

What was the last book or eBook you read and what did you think of it?
Your Life Has Been Delayed by Michelle Mason. It's a time travel story set in the year 1995, so it was a very nostalgic experience since I was the same age as the protagonist at the time.

What do you consider to be a personal achievement in your career?
Over the course of several months, I assisted a patron become more proficient using our free desktop computers and the Internet. Those new skills gave him the opportunity to apply for his U.S. citizenship. He recently visited the library to proudly show me his citizenship certificate. That’s been the highlight of my career so far!

Are you working on any new/upcoming projects?
I'm helping with the systemwide Mario Kart 8 Tournament this summer.

Anything else you’d like people to know about you?
I love pinball! I'm considered a pinball aficionado. I’ve run officially sanctioned tournaments, I personally own a collection of full sized machines and I've been quoted in several pinball books, including Pinball Wizards by Adam Ruben.


Support Friends of the Miami-Dade Public Library

Finn-Con Anime & Gaming Expo at MDC North Campus

Community engagement

Join Us at the MDC Finn-Con Anime & Gaming Expo!

We invite you to join us at the Miami Dade College Finn-Con Anime and Gaming Expo taking place at the North Campus on Saturday, June 24 starting at 1 p.m. Enjoy gaming sessions, tournaments, cosplay, a singing competition and more during this free event. 

And don't forget to stop by our Miami-Dade Public Library System table to make crafts, sign up for a library card and learn about our many resources and services.

Click here to learn more.

You can also visit us at this year's Florida Supercon – where we'll have lots of fun activities going on – Friday, June 30 through Sunday, July 2 at the Miami Beach Convention Center.


Click Here to Learn More About Lunchtime Poetry & Jazz @ the Library

mdpls author series

Lunchtime Poetry & Jazz at the Library

Join us for an interactive poetry and jazz program featuring poets Julie Maria Wade and Caridad Moro-Gronlier as they read their works while accompanied by live jazz music performed by the Jesse Katz Trio. All ages.

Thursday, July 6, Noon - 1:00 p.m.
Main Library

Hosted by Miami-Dade County Poetry Ambassador Nicole Tallman and Library Curator and Poet Oscar Fuentes.


Download our free mobile app!

Artist Daniel Marosi

Art at the Library

Artist Talk with Daniel Marosi

Join us for an in-depth conversation with Tori Arpad-Cotta, Chair of the Art & Art History Department at FIU, and artist Daniel Marosi as he discusses his unique artistic process. Ages 19 years and up.

Saturday, June 24, 11:00 a.m. - Noon
Miami Beach Regional Library

Multi-disciplinary artist Marosi's exhibition of paintings entitled Rejoice Always is currently on view at the Miami Beach Regional Library through July 1.


digital collections blog

Coral Gables Woman's Club Celebrates 100 Years of Serving the Community

Since it's founding in 1923, the Coral Gables Woman's Club has played and important role in the City Beautiful. Learn more about this dynamic organization that has been serving the community for 100 years in this month's MDPLS Digital Collections Blog.

Click here to read more.

Digital Collections Blog

Libby, by OverDrive is now available to download from the Amazon Appstore!

staff picks

This month’s Staff Picks for kids explore the loving bond between parents and their children. These books will warm your heart and inspire you to go out and make your own magical memories.

Our Shed: A Father-Daughter Building Story
Beautiful You, Beautiful Me
When Your Daddy's a Soldier

Calendar of Events

Calendar of Events

Beat the heat and enjoy some fun, indoor activities at the Library! Learn about animals with an Everglades National Park ranger, play tabletop games with friends or make unique crafts. Whatever you decide, cool off and join us for these engaging events and more all summer long!

In addition to the programs highlighted here, you can visit our online Calendar of Events to see what else is happening at your library. Select a date and filter your search by event type, keyword, age range or library location to get started.

Browse the Calendar of Events

Adaptation in the Wild!
Presented by Everglades National Park

Join a ranger from Everglades National Park to learn about the most secretive animal adaptation of them all... camouflage! Ages 6 years and up.

Friday, June 23, 11:00 a.m. - Noon
Sunset Branch Library


Gamers Guild: Tabletop Adventures

Create, play and explore! Discover the thrill of Dungeons & Dragons and other tabletop games. Create characters, embark on adventures and battel against fearsome enemies in strange and mysterious lands. Ages 12 years and up.

Wednesday, June 28, 4:30 - 5:30 p.m.
North Dade Regional Library


Summer Fun: Games and More!

Join us for board games, LEGOS® and more! Ages 6 years and up.

Saturday, July 1, 3:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Naranja Branch


Art Haus for Tweens and Teens

Explore different forms of intricate arts and crafts, including button making, collage construction and more. Registration is required. Ages 10 - 18 years.

Wednesday, July 05, 3:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Shenandoah Branch Library