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The Miami-Dade Public Library System has a long and proud history of providing library services to the residents of Miami-Dade County dating back to the late 19th century.
The Lemon City Reading Room, opened in a small cottage on April 7, 1894, was the first community library established in Miami. Shortly after, the Cocoanut Grove (original spelling) Reading Room was founded in 1895 through the support of local women's clubs and organizations.
By 1942, the number of libraries in Miami had increased to seven. These libraries, which operated independently of each other, eventually joined together under one system to form the Miami Public Library, which became an official City of Miami department in 1945. Miami Memorial Library, built in 1951 at Bayfront Park, came to be known as Main Library because it served as the department’s central library until 1985.
The library system as we know it today officially came into being on November 1, 1971 when the City of Miami transferred administrative responsibility of its libraries to Metropolitan-Dade County. That shift coincided with a name change to the Miami‑Dade Public Library System (the name was formed by combining Miami Public Library and Metro-Dade County).
Almost immediately, the new library system experienced an unprecedented boost in growth. This expansion was a result of the 1972 Decade of Progress Bond Program that made possible the construction of twelve new library locations. Today, the Miami-Dade Public Library System includes a Main Library, 44 neighborhood branches, four regional libraries, two bookmobiles and a Technobus (computer lab on wheels).
Lemon City Reading Room, opened in 1894, was the first community library in Miami.
Hialeah Gardens Branch Library, completed in 2021, is the newest library building in the system.
Miami-Dade Public Libraries
At a Glance
At a Glance
Population Served
2,721,110
2,721,110
Size of Taxing District
1,921 sq. miles
1,921 sq. miles
Number of Branches
49 + 2 bookmobiles & 1 Technobus
49 + 2 bookmobiles & 1 Technobus
Items in Collection
3,384,032
3,384,032
Public Computers
1,647
1,647
Registered Borrowers
1,506,339
1,506,339
Items Borrowed
6,718,933 per year
6,718,933 per year
Library Visitors
6,762,294 per year
6,762,294 per year
Questions Answered
7,108,830 per year
7,108,830 per year
1971 – Present
1971
The Miami-Dade Public Library System is officially established.
Metropolitan-Dade County Resolution #R-1551-71 transferred administrative responsibility of the Miami Public Library to the county effective on November 1, 1971. Former Miami Public Library Director Edward F. Sintz continued as director of the new county department following the merger. Mr. Sintz would serve as director of the Miami-Dade Public Library System for the next 18 years.
1972
The "Decade of Progress" begins, spurring the largest period of growth in the Library's history.
In October of 1972, voters approved the Decade of Progress bond issue, a $553 million initiative, which made possible many important local projects, including the construction of 12 new library locations throughout Miami-Dade County. The new facilities constructed using Decade of Progress funds included eight neighborhood branches, three regional libraries and the new Main Library on the western edge of Downtown Miami. These new locations, along with the existing thirteen branches, brought the total number of libraries in the system to 25 by 1985.
1974
The Friends of the Miami-Dade Public Library hosts its first meeting.
The Friends of the Miami-Dade Public Library was established to promote increased knowledge and understanding of the Library's services and needs. The founding members consisted of many prominent writers and South Florida figures, including environmental conservationist and River of Grass author Marjory Stoneman Douglas, television reporter Ralph Renick, and journalist Helen Muir, after whom the Library’s Helen Muir Florida Collection is named.
1975
The 65 Plus Club mails its first book to patrons at home.
The 65 Plus Club (now known as Connections Home Library Service) began service in 1975, mailing books to the elderly. Today, Connections is no longer limited to just patrons 65 years or older. Connections loans library materials by mail to individuals of all ages who are unable to visit the library in-person due to a number of reasons, including a disability or conditions of aging.
1976
The Braille and Talking Books Library opens at Little River Branch Library.
The Braille and Talking Books Library was established to mail audiobooks and braille materials for free to people who have difficulty reading due to blindness or reading disabilities.
This same year, the original Hispanic Branch Library – the first library branch dedicated to serving a largely Hispanic community – opened in Little Havana. A groundbreaking ceremony was also held for the future West Dade Regional Library (known today as Westchester Regional Library).
1984
The Miami-Dade Public Library System becomes a United States Patent and Trademark Depository Library.
Designated by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), Patent and Trademark Depository Libraries like the Miami-Dade Public Library System store copies of U.S. patents and trademark materials and make them freely available to the public.
1985
Main Library opens on the newly constructed Metro-Dade Cultural Center Plaza.
To celebrate the grand opening of Main Library, the Miami-Dade Public Library System held a “Parade of Books” in July of 1985. The parade was made up of a line of volunteers that ran from the old Bayfront Park location to the new building three blocks west at 101 West Flagler Street. Books were passed up the line, with Marjorie Stoneman Douglas’ River of Grass being the first book to reach the library’s new home. Metro-Dade County Mayor Stephen P. Clark proclaimed Friday, July 19, 1985 as "Library Day."
1988
The Library catalog goes digital.
The Miami-Dade Public Library System implemented its first computer-based cataloging system for staff and patrons in 1988, a revolutionary technology at the time.
1989
Long-time Library Director Edward F. Sintz retires after 21 years of service.
Ronald S. Kozlowski was appointed the new Director of Libraries following Mr. Sintz's retirement. A groundbreaking ceremony for the West Kendall Regional Library was also held during this year.
1990
The Miami-Dade Public Library System gets a visit from the White House.
First Lady Barbara Bush met with Library Director Ronald Kozlowski during a visit to Main Library, unveiling the first billboard in the country to encourage literacy.
The West Kendall Regional and North Central Branch Libraries also opened in 1990.
1991
Culmer/Overtown Branch Library mural gets a refresh.
Purvis Young’s mural "Everyday Life," which was painted by the artist outside the Culmer/Overtown Branch Library in 1984, was repainted and brought back to life.
1992
Civic Center officially opens.
The Civic Center Porta Kiosk, the world’s first library to be built on an elevated transit system, opened in 1992.
On August 24, 1992, Hurricane Andrew swept through Miami-Dade County, destroying the West Kendall Regional, South Dade Regional, and Coral Reef Branch Libraries.
1993
The Library helps communities rebuild after Hurricane Andrew.
Responding to the community’s needs following the devastation of Hurricane Andrew, the Library converted its popular Artmobile into the South Dade Story Express. The mobile unit toured South Miami-Dade County entertaining kids of all ages.
1994
The American Library Association holds its 113th annual conference in Miami.
Former Library Director Kozlowski resigned and Mary Somerville was named Interim Director.
After extensive renovations following Hurricane Andrew, the South Dade Regional, West Kendall Regional, and Coral Reef Branch Libraries officially reopened.
1995
Mary Sommerville officially named Director of Libraries.
As part of the Friends of the Miami-Dade Public Library's fundraising efforts, a book signing with boxing legend Muhammad Ali was held at Main Library, which also hosted a photographic exhibition of his life.
1996
The Library receives a grant from the Gates Foundation to expand digital connectivity.
The Miami-Dade Public Library System was the recipient of a grant for $225,000 from the Gates Foundation, which allowed for the installation of more computers for public use.
That same year, Mary Sommerville was elected as President of the American Libraries Association (ALA), an organization that promotes library and information services nationwide.
1997
The Library’s website – www.mdpls.org – officially launches.
As part of the Library's effort to provide greater access to technology and the internet across the community, the Library launched its website and upgraded its IT infrastructure by expanding internet access to all locations.
1998
Raymond Santiago is appointed as the new Director of Libraries.
The Main Library hosted the archeological exhibition Sacred Traditions of Lost Civilizations: Legacies of Bolivia’s Archeological Past, featuring two mummies and hundreds of artifacts never exhibited outside of Bolivia, which dated back to 1200 B.C.
2001
The Miami-Dade Public Library System commemorates its 30th anniversary.
The Library's new Capital Plan was approved during this year, resulting in eleven storefront locations and eight free-standing locations being built between 2001 and 2011. The Ask-A-Librarian email reference service began.
2002
The S.M.A.R.T. (Science, Math and Reading) Tutoring program is inaugurated.
The S.M.A.R.T. Tutoring program was the predecessor to our current Homework Help and Tutoring Program, offering one-on-one sessions with certified teachers for all K-12 students in Miami-Dade County.
The first Art of Storytelling Program was also held in 2002, which showcased multicultural storytelling events and workshops. The old Hialeah Gardens Branch Library storefront location opened its doors, and newly redesigned bookmobiles began operations.
2005
Hurricane Wilma hits Miami-Dade County.
The Northeast Dade-Aventura Branch Library is destroyed as a result of the storm and later demolished.
2006
The Library begins shipping materials to patrons' mailboxes.
The Borrow-by-Mail service was launched to offer patrons the convenience of having books and other materials delivered to their homes for a small fee. This service, known today as Miami-Dade Public Libraries @ Your Door Home Delivery, has recently expanded to include the shipping of materials completely free of charge.
2008
Five new library locations open their doors.
The Library’s Capital Plan laid out the blueprint for building several libraries, with the Sunset, International Mall, Kendale Lakes, Virrick Park and Pinecrest Branch Libraries all opening in 2008.
First Lady Laura Bush awarded the Library with the National Medal for Museum and Library Service, the nation's highest honor for museums and libraries. The award pays tribute to outstanding institutions that make exceptional contributions to their communities.
The National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped awarded the Talking Books Library with the Network Subregional Library of the Year award.
2012
Six new library card designs debut to the public.
As part of an effort to promote an increase in registration, six new library card designs were made available when signing up for a library card or renewing one.
A groundbreaking ceremony is also held for the future Northeast Dade-Aventura Branch Library on the site of the previous facility destroyed by Hurricane Wilma in 2005.
2013
The Blue Ribbon Taskforce is launched to prevent mass library closures.
The Library's period of prosperity came to a halt when faced with a projected $21 million deficit. Potentially facing massive budget cuts, layoffs and the closure of nearly a dozen branches, the Blue Ribbon Taskforce for the Miami-Dade Public Library System is launched to develop a long-term plan for the Library's future.
2014
The Library's website gets a complete redesign.
The Miami-Dade County Board of County Commissioners approved the Blue Ribbon Taskforce's proposed budget, allowing the Library to keep its doors open and paving the way for a continued expansion of services, including a new website.
2015
Gia Arbogast is named Director of Libraries.
A grand opening ceremony is held for the newly-constructed Northeast Dade-Aventura Branch Library. South Dade Regional Library becomes an official Passport Application Acceptance Facility.
2016
Bay Harbor Islands Branch Library opens.
Bay Harbor Islands Branch Library and YOUmedia Miami at the South Dade Regional Library open.
2017
Ray Baker is appointed as the new Director of Libraries.
The Miami‑Dade Public Library System announces expanded days of service and hours of operation. Ray Baker becomes the new Director of Libraries.
2018
Groundbreaking ceremony is held for the future Hialeah Gardens Branch Library.
The Library breaks ground on the new Hialeah Gardens Branch Library and a ribbon cutting ceremony is held for the newly renovated Allapattah Branch Library, the first of many older locations to undergo extensive interior and exterior improvements.
The Library opens its second Passport Application Acceptance facility at the North Dade Regional Library. The Digital Collections is established in 2018 with the mission of making public access to the Library's special collections more convenient.
2020
The COVID-19 pandemic sweeps the nation.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Miami‑Dade Public Library System temporarily closed all its library locations to the public. While its doors may have closed, the Library launched walk-up and drive-up service to distribute applications for much-needed state and federal services, such as Reemployment Assistance, Food (SNAP), Medical (Medicaid) and Temporary Cash (TANF) Assistance, to help families who were struggling financially.
The Library reopened to the public on June 8, with an expanded schedule in place at all locations for more convenient access to services for the community and was recognized with an Urban Libraries Council (ULC) 2020 Innovation Award, being named Top Innovator in the Civic and Community Engagement category.
2021
The Miami-Dade Public Library System kicks off its 50th anniversary celebration!
The Online Adult Learning Academy was launched in January of 2021 to provide free, online classes in language learning, test preparation and basic education for adults in Miami-Dade County. Several new and innovative Library services were also launched, including the Tablet Lending Program and Libraries @ Your Door Home Delivery Service. These services, and many more, earned the Miami-Dade Public Library System 26 National Association of Counties (NACo) 2021 Achievement Awards, including two Best in Category.
The newly-constructed Hialeah Gardens Branch Library officially opened in February, winning the Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA) Florida Region 2021 Project of the Year award.
The Miami-Dade Public Library System was designated an Autism Friendly Partner by the University of Miami-Nova Southeastern University Center for Autism and Related Disabilities (UM-NSU CARD).