Miami-Dade Public Library System Honored with Several Awards for Excellence and Innovation 🏆
The Miami-Dade Public Library System is proud to announce that it has been recognized with five state and national awards, including being named the 2024 Library of the Year by the Florida Library Association (FLA). This prestigious award recognizes the Library’s outstanding contributions to the community and commitment to excellence, leadership and innovation in serving the diverse needs of Miami-Dade County residents.
In addition to being named Florida Library of the Year, the Miami-Dade Public Library System has also been honored with two other 2024 FLA Awards:
Excellence in Marketing and Public Relations for effectively and successfully communicating the value of the Library to the community through its multi-faceted Library Card Sign-up Month campaign in September 2023. The campaign resulted in a 21 percent increase in new cardholders over the previous year, a record achievement for the Library as the highest number of new sign-ups in a single month.
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Outstanding New Librarian recognizing Daniel Jones for exhibiting exceptional resourcefulness, leadership and dedication in serving the community at the Naranja Branch since October 2022. Jones has made significant contributions to the Library and librarianship by identifying the diverse needs of patrons and providing opportunities for STEAM education, as well as assistance with accessing social services and health and wellness resources, and establishing successful programs for tweens and teens.
Scroll down to learn more about Daniel in our Employee Spotlight!
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The Library is also pleased to announce that two Miami-Dade Public Library employees have been nationally recognized for innovation, technology and providing accessible and inclusive services.
Library Journal 2024 Movers & Shakers Award
Marlon Moore, Community Engagement Coordinator for Outreach and Mobile Services, has been honored with the Library Journal 2024 Movers & Shakers Award in the Innovators category. The award recognizes his work in creating opportunities to actively engage residents with the latest technology through the Library’s Technobus and for his role in helping develop the Mogul Maker Expo, a series of one-day conferences at the Library presented in collaboration with the Miami-Dade County Office of Innovation and Economic Development. The program aligns with the Mayor’s STRIVE305 Initiative aimed at supporting small businesses and entrepreneurs by making resources and information easily accessible to help them thrive.
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Best Emerging Technology Application Award
Jennifer Shipley, Library Operations Manager, whose area of oversight includes our Braille and Talking Books service, won the Reference and User Services Association's Emerging Technology Section Best Emerging Technology Application Award for spearheading two innovative interactive exhibitions for people with vision and hearing disabilities. The POP-UP Storywalk™ combined Braille and QR codes that allowed participants to use their phones to hear narrated stories, while a tactile-friendly, multi-sensory POP-UP art exhibition designed for individuals with low vision encouraged touching the art and hearing the descriptions through QR codes. The awarded $3,000 cash prize will be used to fund additional inclusive Library programming for the community.
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RESOURCE SPOTLIGHT
Gale LegalForms: Legal Information Simplified 👩⚖️
Feeling lost in legal jargon? Gale LegalForms can help. This free online resource, made available by the Library, offers downloadable state-specific legal documents for wills, real estate, pre-marital agreements, landlord-tenant agreements and many others – all explained in clear language.
Gale LegalForms also includes a glossary of legal terms, a Legal Q&A section and more.
Click here to access Gale LegalForms and find more information.
To view additional helpful online resources, visit www.mdpls.org/learning.
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2024 Adopt-a-Tree Season
Free Trees Available at the Adopt-a-Tree Kickoff Event! 🌳
Join the Miami-Dade County Department of Regulatory and Economic Resources as it kicks off its 2024 Adopt-a-Tree season. Miami-Dade County single-family and duplex homeowners can receive up to two free trees every year.
Saturday, May 18, 9 a.m. - Noon
Miami Dade College North Campus
11380 NW 27 Avenue (Building 9, Lot 7)
Miami, FL 33167
Trees can help reduce air-conditioning costs by providing shade, help reduce flooding and are great for the environment. Nearly 240,000 trees have been planted across our community since the program's launch in 2001.
Ready to get growing? Visit www.miamidade.gov/adopt-a-tree to pre-register, view the planned tree selection and for more information.
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Digital Collections: art bytes
Reflecting on the Monumental Surrounded Islands Art Project 🏝
Over 40 years ago, Miami witnessed the iconic local art project, Surrounded Islands, created by the internationally renowned artistic couple Christo and Jeanne-Claude. This majestic project spanned across 11 islands in Biscayne Bay, adorning them with pink fabric.
Dive deeper into the legacy and history of Surrounded Islands and explore related photos and materials in this month's Digital Collections Blog.
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Employee Spotlight
Librarian Daniel Jones Ignites a Love of Learning in the Community 📚
Daniel Jones is dedicated to helping the community. A champion of lifelong learning, he joined the Miami-Dade Public Library System in the fall of 2022 after a career focused on bringing people together for positive change. Prior to joining the Library, he honed his skills while working with nonprofits, organizing training sessions and fostering collaboration among community leaders on issues such as affordable housing and healthcare access.
Daniel currently serves as a librarian at the Naranja Branch Library, connecting the community to the Library's wealth of resources, while continuously striving to spark a passion for learning in the next generation through innovative and fun programming.
What inspired you to pursue a Library career?
I've always had a great desire to help people and saw a career in librarianship as the perfect opportunity to make meaningful contributions to my community.
What is your favorite part about working for the Library?
Engaging with tweens and teens is what truly energizes me. Their infectious curiosity and eagerness to learn are a constant source of inspiration. Witnessing their 'aha' moments during my science and technology programs never gets old.
What do you consider to be a personal achievement in your career at the Library?
Working in a library is a true team effort and I'm incredibly grateful for the dedication of our Naranja Branch Library team, the Community Engagement and Programming Division and the Social Services in Libraries Committee. Their support is what made receiving the 2024 Outstanding New Librarian award from the Florida Library Association so meaningful. It's a recognition of our collective impact on the community.
Congratulations on your Outstanding New Librarian award! How do you hope to continue making an impact in your role as a librarian?
I'm eager to collaborate with our fantastic team and external partners to ensure the Library thrives and adapts to meet the evolving needs of our community. It's an honor to contribute to the Library's mission of fostering a vibrant hub for learning, discovery and creation where patrons can connect and build knowledge together.
Are you working on any new/upcoming projects?
I'm thrilled to be bringing back our youth-led STEAMfest this fall. High school STEAM students across South Miami-Dade will lead hands-on activities, igniting a passion for science and technology in kids and families. Last year's event was a blast! Seeing young teens confidently teach these advanced subjects was truly inspiring. I can't wait to see what they have in store this year!
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ART AT THE LIBRARY
Reflect on Cuba's Rich History and Culture with Oil Paintings by Artist Yolanda Blanco 🌴
Explore Cuba's history through the perspective of artist Yolanda "Yoly B" Blanco's exhibition Cuba Before and After, a collection of oil canvas paintings that capture the landscape, people and culture of Cuba throughout its many moments. On view now through June 6.
Opening Reception
Wednesday, May 22, 6:00 - 7:30 p.m.
Westchester Regional Library
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Art at the Library
Dive Into Become Ocean at the Library 🌊
In commemoration of International World Ocean Day on June 8, enjoy Become Ocean: Art from World Ocean Day Celebrations, an exhibition that celebrates the beauty and importance of marine ecosystems and promotes ocean conservation awareness.
Featuring a selection of artistic Ocean Flags commissioned by ARTSail alongside two large quilts titled Weaving with Water, you won't want to miss this captivating exhibit.
On view through August 31
Miami Beach Regional Library
Curated by Ombretta Agró Andruff, Founder and Executive Director at ARTSail, in partnership with the Blue Scholars Initiative.
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MDPLS LOcal author series
Uncover The Message: A Heartfelt Storytime with Lena Pereira 🕊
Embark on a soul-searching journey and delve into thought-provoking discussions about feeling loved, heard and seen with local author Lena Pereira as she presents her inspiring children's book, The Message. After the reading, enjoy a fun coloring activity. Registration is required. Ages 4 years and up.
Saturday, May 25, 2 - 3 p.m.
Miami Beach Regional Library
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mdpls local author series
Writing Fiction From Memory: Develop Your Storytelling Skills With Chantel Acevedo ✍
Calling all young writers! Get guidance on crafting your own magical stories with Chantel Acevedo, author of The Distant Marvels. This generative writing workshop will teach you how to use personal experiences as a springboard for invention and storytelling. Ages 18 years and up.
Saturday, May 25, 2:00 - 3:30 p.m.
Pinecrest Branch Library
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staff picks
In this month's Staff Picks for Kids, enjoy inspiring stories that celebrate the resilience of young children facing challenges. From overcoming illness to embracing differences, these tales will empower young readers to discover their inner strength and become the best version of themselves.
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Written by Sonia Sotomayor, Illustrated by Rafael López
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Written by Maryann Cocca-Leffler and Janine Leffler, Illustrated by Maryann Cocca-Leffler
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Written by Jessica Long, Illustrated by Airin O’Callaghan
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Immerse yourself in art and explore valuable resources at the Library! From meeting esteemed photographers to gaining insight on mental health, enrich your mind with engaging events all month 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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Online Event - Climate of Art: Let's Talk Photography with Clyde Butcher
Join photojournalist Andres LaBrada and renowned photographer Clyde Butcher for an engaging discussion about Butcher's mesmerizing black-and-white photographs of the Florida Everglades, images that have been instrumental in advancing conservation efforts. Ages 12 years and up.
Saturday, May 18, Noon - 1 p.m.
Register Online
Brushstrokes of Brilliance: Explore Jewish Impressionism
Discover the distinctive art styles of prominent Jewish Impressionist artists through captivating presentations, followed by a hands-on arts and crafts activity. Ages 8 - 18 years.
Monday, May 20, 5 - 6 p.m.
Sunny Isles Beach Branch Library
Presented in collaboration with Mayor Larisa Svechin and Chabad of Sunny Isles Beach.
Henna 101
Explore the history of henna art and create your own traditional design using freshly made henna and henna cones. Registration is required. Ages 8 - 18 years.
Wednesday, May 22, 4 - 5 p.m.
Miami Lakes Branch Library
Made possible by the Town of Miami Lakes Education Advisory Board.
Online Event - Mental Health Awareness Resources for Friends and Family
Join a free online session to discover resources that can help improve your family and friends' mental well-being and equip you to support your own. Registration is required. Ages 19 years and up.
Saturday, May 25, 11 a.m. - Noon
Register Online
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