Literacy for a Diverse Community: The Miami-Dade Public Library System’s Multifaceted Approach to Enriching and

Empowering Lives

Introduction by:

Ray Baker Interim Director, Miami-Dade Public Library System

Speakers:

Kimberly Matthews Assistant Director, Miami-Dade Public Library System

Jennifer Shipley Library Operations Administrator, Miami-Dade Public Library System

Literacy for a Diverse Community:

Kimberly Matthews, Assistant Director

Jennifer Shipley, Library Operations Administrator

The Miami-Dade Public Library System’s Multifaceted Approach to Enriching and Empowering Lives

Good Morning! A Humble Beginning

A Welcoming Place

The Collection

Special Services

Community Engagement

Visual and Digital Literacy

Lemon City Library 1902 (Organized April 7, 1894)

Vision and Mission Statement

Our Vision The vision of the Miami-Dade Public Library System

is to be an innovative, user-centric, community anchor that provides opportunities for lifelong education,

exploration, and discovery for all of the residents of Miami-Dade County.

Our Mission To deliver quality services reflecting

the informational, educational, and recreational needs of our diverse community.

50 branches

4.7 million items checked out

1 million database uses and downloaded eBooks

Over 1 million in-house computer sessions on 1,647 public computers

Over 1.5 million virtual visitors

A Welcoming Place Inclusive Policies

Trained Staff

Physical and Virtual Accessibility

The Diverse Collection Assessing Community Needs

Vendors work for us

Community Centric Collections

A Tradition of Literacy: Special Services Connections - 1975

Art Services - 1976

Talking Books - 1976

Project L.E.A.D. - 1985

Early Literacy - 1993

A Tradition of Literacy: Art Services

Engaging our Communities Locally

Anime Clubs

Arts and Crafts

Gaming

Book Discussions

Paws to Read

MDPLS Staff have developed unique system-wide initiatives.

• Storytelling Festivals

• Colorín Colorado en Español

• Mother Goose on the Loose

• Reading Ready

Engaging our Entire Community

Engaging Our Community: Harry Potter Release 4,000 people in attendance!

MDPLS Staff decked out for Harry Potter Release Party

Engaging Our Community: National Library Week

Miami Gardens Mayor Oliver G. Gilbert III at the North Dade Regional Library

Partners: Early Learning Coalition

Partners: Career Online High School

Career Online High School (COHS) offers adults the opportunity to complete their high school

education.

Partners: Miami Lighthouse for the Blind

Cross promotion of services to assist

people who are visually impaired

Partners: AARP

AARP Life Reimagined: 2-hour workshops targeting individuals who are 55 and better.

Partners: Juvenile Services Great Stories Book Club

Partners: Miami Dade College

A Creative Approach: Visual Narratives

Shadow Play

Drawing and Writing

Connecting Sentences: A Catalyst for Social Change

Digital Literacy: YOUmedia

Digital Literacy: YOUmake

Digital Literacy: Techno Bus

Strategies for the Future

• Ensure libraries are accessible to residents and visitors

• Increase attendance at recreational and cultural venues

• Ensure facilities are safe, clean and well run • Provide vibrant and diverse programming

opportunities and services that reflect the community’s interest

• Strengthen and converse local historic and cultural resources and collections.