Season's Greetings and Happy New Year from Your Miami-Dade
Public Library System! 🎅
As 2023 winds down, we extend our warmest wishes for the happiest of holidays. In observance of Christmas and New Year's, please note the following holiday service hours:
- In observance of Christmas and New Year’s Day, all library locations will be closed Saturday, December 23 through Monday, December 25 and Monday, January 1.
- The Bay Harbor Islands Branch Library, located in the Morris N. Broad Community Center, will also be closed on Tuesday, December 26.
- MDPLS Homework Help & Tutoring Program sessions will be not be available from Saturday, December 23 through Saturday, January 13 for the winter break. Regular tutoring sessions will resume on Wednesday, January 17.
- If you need assistance during the holiday break, our Customer Care team will be available via email at CustomerCare@mdpls.org Saturday, December 23 through Monday, December 25 and Sunday, December 31 through Monday, January 1 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Remember, you can stay connected to the Library all season long through our online library – available 24/7 – free with your library card! Grab some yummy snacks and watch a classic holiday flick, read a cozy bedtime story or listen to a cheerful playlist. Whatever you decide, the Library's got you covered to make this a holiday season to remember!
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Construction Kicks Off for the New Doral Branch Library 👷♂️
A new, state-of-the-art library is coming to Doral! On Monday, December 18, Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, Miami-Dade County Commissioner Juan Carlos Bermudez, City of Doral Mayor Christi Fraga, Codina Partners, Miami-Dade Public Library System Director Ray Baker, among other esteemed guests, celebrated the construction kick-off of the new Doral Branch Library.
The upcoming 20,000-square-foot library will be located at 5360 NW 84th Avenue in Downtown Doral and will replace the current 3,500-square-foot storefront location. The three-story contemporary library, designed for LEED Silver certification, will offer a wide range of services and features several amenities, including a YOUmedia technology space, electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, multipurpose rooms, a sensory-friendly room and much more.
Click here to learn more.
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reading challenge
Win Great Prizes with our Fall Into Winter Reading Challenge! 🍂
Winter break is soon approaching – the perfect time to sign up for our Fall Into Winter Reading Challenge and read a good book!
Every 30 minutes spent reading or listening to a book earns you an entry into our prize drawing. There are prizes for all ages, including an interactive robot dog, Keurig coffee maker, Roomba Robot Vacuum, gift cards and more. The more you read, the greater your chances of winning!
Earn additional chances to win by attending any library program or event.
Challenge ends January 8, 2024. For more information and to register, visit www.mdpls.org/ReadingChallenge.
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ART CONTEST
Calling Young Artists: Enter the 2024 All Kids Included Student Art Competition 🏆
Now through February 1, 2024, the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs, in partnership with the Library, is accepting visual art submissions for the 2024 All Kids Included Student Art Competition.
All Miami-Dade students, grades pre-K-12, are invited to submit original works inspired by this year's book, Whatever Comes Tomorrow, written by Rebecca Gardyn Levington and illustrated by Mariona Cabassa.
Entries may be submitted at any library location during regular service hours.
For more information, contest rules and instructions, click here.
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LIBRARY EVENT
Beyond the Shelves: Exploring Treasures from the Miami-Dade Public Library System 📸
Join Miami-Dade Public Library System Director Ray Baker to learn more about the vast services and resources provided by the Library, followed by a special presentation by Stephanie M. Garcia, Head of Special Collections and Archives for the Library, showcasing photographs and materials from Miami’s historic early days.
Items from the Helen Muir Florida Collection and Gleason Waite Romer Photography Collection – the Library’s largest collection documenting all aspects of life in South Florida from the 1920s to the 1950s – will be featured. Plus, learn how you can access them online through our Digital Collections.
Tuesday, January 9, 2024, 6 – 8 p.m.
Coral Gables Branch Library
Presented by Friends of the Miami-Dade Public Library.
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Employee spotlight
Lucille Laso Loves to Share Her Passion for the Library 💗
Lucille (Lucy) Laso began her library career volunteering at the Coral Reef Branch Library at the age of 16. Although she graduated with a degree in biochemistry, her love of libraries led her to officially join the Library in May 2022 as a Library Page at the South Dade Regional Library.
Lucy currently serves as a Youth Services Librarian at the Coral Gables Branch Library, facilitating engaging programs and sharing information about Library resources and services through community outreach.
What inspired you to pursue a Library career?
Volunteering at the library and assisting with various duties including programming, shelving materials, working the desk, assisting patrons with technology and attending many outreach events confirmed my desire to become a Librarian.
What is your favorite part about working for the Library?
This is a difficult question. I love so many parts of our library system, but if I had to pick just one, I would have to go with outreach events. I greatly enjoy raising awareness about the Library’s many services and providing patrons with library cards. I find outreach to be very fun - it’s no longer just work to me!
What was the last book or eBook you read and what did you think of it?
Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi. I recently read it again in preparation for our "Not Your Mom’s Book Club" discussion group. The author's many twists and turns still impact me and I would definitely recommend reading it.
Are you working on any new/upcoming projects?
I’m working on expanding the Young Adult space at the Coral Gables Branch Library from one corner of the branch to the entire back area. I’m looking forward to making the space as inviting and productive as possible.
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Coral Gables Burger Scavenger Hunt 🍔
Planning to visit the Coral Gables Branch Library? Find artist John Miller's "hidden" mini burger and post your selfie with the cute glass slider on Instagram, using the hashtag #wherestheburger (and #mdpls) for a chance to take one home. The library is one of 12 scavenger hunt sites throughout Coral Gables. The more sites you visit, the greater your chance of winning!
Scavenger hunt ends Saturday, January 6. For more information, click here.
And don't forget to check out Order Up! The Pop Art of John Miller currently on view at the Lowe Art Museum.
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art at the library
Coming Soon: Explore Fort Pierce’s Remote Wilderness Areas 🎨
Experience the artful storytelling of Between the River and Lagoon, a cultural archive from artist Onajide Shabaka using familial photographs, letters, and property records that capture the vibrant history of Shabaka's family journey from South Carolina's cotton fields to Fort Pierce, Florida, in 1920.
December 22, 2023 - March 21, 2024
Westchester Regional Library
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Digital collections
A Festive Legacy: Check Out How Our Former Artmobile Spread Season's Greetings
In 1976, the Library launched the Artmobile – a bus transformed into an art gallery on wheels – providing the community with an accessible art experience.
To celebrate the 1984 holiday season, the Artmobile launched an exhibition titled Artist-Made Greeting Cards.
Click here to learn more and see works from this festive local artist exhibition in this month's Digital Collections Blog.
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miami-Dade county animal services
Give a Shelter Pet a Home for the Holidays! 🐶
Experience the joys of pet parenthood by adopting a shelter pet this holiday season.
Miami-Dade County Animal Services is waiving adoption fees for cats and dogs four months and older now through December 31, 2023. All adoptions will include the initial set of age-appropriate vaccines, microchip, deworming and spay/neuter surgery.
Visit Animal Services' Pet Adoption & Protection Center and satellite adoption centers to share the gift of love and give these pets a "Home for the Holidays."
Click here for more information.
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Teen Workshop Series
Explore the World of Fashion Design: Introductory Workshops for Teens 👗
Looking to learn more about the fundamentals of fashion design?
In this seven-week series, you'll go hands-on with Ann Richter, Fashion Institute of Technology graduate and long-time New York designer, to create flat sketches, learn about fabric and color usage and much more.
Please plan to attend all sessions. Registration is required. Ages 12-18 years.
Wednesdays, January 10 - February 21, 2024
4:00 - 5:30 p.m.
Northeast Dade-Aventura Branch Library
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Staff Picks
'Tis the season for holiday celebrations! In this month's Staff Picks for Kids, we're highlighting stories of family holiday traditions. These books are great for teaching young readers that no matter how they celebrate, love and goodwill is all they need to spread holiday cheer.
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Written by Carla Hall, Illustrated by Cherise Harris
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Written by Jamie A. Swenson, Illustrated by Emilie Boon
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Written by Raakhee Mirchandani, Illustrated by Supriya Kelkar
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Our holiday programs are in full swing! Make lasting memories at the Library with fun, festive activities all season long.
In addition to the programs highlighted here, you can also 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.
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Family Storytime: Seasons Greetings!
Enjoy a morning filled with holiday stories, songs and activities that highlight traditions from around the world. All ages.
Thursday, December 21, 11 a.m. - Noon
Sunset Branch Library
DIY Holiday Slime
Get hands-on and craft your own holiday slime! Materials will be provided. Registration is required. Ages 6 - 12 years.
Thursday, December 21, 3:30 - 5:00 p.m.
Allapattah Branch Library
Holiday Grab & Go Crafts
Pick up a craft kit and make a quick and easy holiday-themed craft at home (while supplies last). Ages 6 - 12 years.
Friday, December 22, 9:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Edison Center Branch Library
Napkin Folding for a Stylish New Year's Eve Celebration
Ring in the new year with flair! Learn napkin folding techniques that can help you enhance the visual appeal of your table setting. Registration is required. Ages 12 - 18 years.
Friday, December 29, 1 - 2 p.m.
Miami Springs Branch Library
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