What's Happening at Your Library - Special NACo Award Edition - 9/7/21

 

September 7, 2021

Dear Library Patrons, We hope you enjoy this special edition of our weekly newsletter showcasing the innovation and efforts of our Library employees in receiving 26 National Association of Counties (NACo) Awards this year, including two “Best in Category.” The annual NACo Awards recognize innovative and effective government programs that enhance the quality of life for residents. From the home delivery service and Drive-up Wi-Fi to virtual storytimes and cooking classes, our dedicated library staff continue to create exciting programs, resources, and services to serve you better. We dedicate this edition to the employees who took the initiative to create these programs and services, and took all the steps to have their applications evaluated at a national level. Read on to learn more about just some of our award-winning programs and click the link below to see the full list. Sincerely, Ray Baker, Director Miami-Dade Public Library System Learn more about all our award-winning programs

Library Services

Home Delivery Service Books and movies get us through tough times, and the COVID-19 pandemic is no exception. In March 2020, the Library acted quickly to safely get library materials to patrons through the mail. This was so successful and well-received that our Borrow-by-Mail program was redesigned and relaunched as Miami-Dade Public Libraries @ Your Door Home Delivery Service. Requested books, audiobooks and DVDs can be mailed directly to patrons' homes at no cost. Our home delivery service is more convenient than ever – try it out today! Entrant: • Jennifer Shipley, North Dade Regional Library

Drive-Up Wi-Fi From applying for jobs and attending meetings or school to connecting with friends and family, access to reliable internet is important. Making it safely accessible outside the walls of the Library, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, is one of our priorities. Drive-up Wi-Fi allows people to access the Library’s free Wi-Fi from their vehicles. Connecting is quick and easy! Just pull into any marked Drive-up Wi-Fi parking spot at one of our participating branches and use your laptop, phone or tablet to find the library’s name on the list of networks. Entrants:  • Louise Gestwicki, Main Library • Alisha Latham, Main Library • Oscar Musibay, Main Library

Community Outreach

First Fridays Business Breakfast Series **Best in Category Winner** To help support small businesses in underserved communities, the Library participated in the First Fridays Business Breakfast educational series organized by the Miami-Dade Economic Advocacy Trust. Each month, Library staff shared information on library resources that could help alleviate economic, business and employment barriers. Small business-oriented databases, such as Gale Business: Entrepreneurship and LegalForms, with instruction on how to create business plans and fill out legal forms were a focus. Business owners also learned that MDPLS’ website offers free access to the Miami Herald, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and other sources of business news. Entrants: • Mary Garcia, Main Library • Tristan Miller, Little River Branch Library

Library Triage at the Miami-Dade Public Library System After helping a local small business owner update her menu and create a QR code, staff at the Sunset Branch Library took the show on the road (and the sidewalk)! Pushing a book cart around the shopping center where the branch is located, they provided information about available books and library resources that could be of interest to small business owners. Each month, they highlighted a different database and visited more than 40 small businesses. Entrant: • Nora Morales, Sunset Branch Library

Forms Distribution Program With the State of Florida's unemployment website overwhelmed and difficult to access, 26 library locations served as distribution and collection centers for paper copies of Florida’s Reemployment Assistance Application to assist residents in need. Library staff delivered over 100,000 completed forms to neighborhood CareerSource South Florida Centers, which sent them to the state within 24 hours. The success of this distribution and collection program highlighted the Library’s ability to adapt its services to the needs of the community.    Entrant:  • Ralph Costa, Main Library

Collaboration as a Solution to Home Instability In December 2020, the library began collaborating with The Homeless Trust, which granted the library system use of their Homeless Management Information System (HMIS). Having access to the system allowed the library's social services team to provide more information to individuals in need of housing services. As a result, individuals were placed on the list for permanent supportive housing programs. Entrant: • Shana Hinze, Main Library

Going Virtual

Virtual Volunteering at the Library for Community Service Credit **Best in Category Winner** Many things changed for students when schools went virtual due to COVID-19, but one thing stayed the same – the community service requirement for graduates. With volunteer and in-person activities on hold, staff at Kendale Lakes Branch Library got creative and formed an online Young Adult Advisory Board, which provided ideas and feedback on library teen materials, resources and programs. The teens also started an at-home craft project to make plastic yarn from recycled bags used to crochet mats for the homeless. As a result, teens earned community service hours, connected with other teens and became young ambassadors for the library. Entrants: • Ellen Book, Pinecrest Branch Library • Athy Fitos, Kendale Lakes Branch Library

Virtual Programs and Storytimes Libraries have always been a place for trying new things, discussing books, and enjoying stories through the programs and events happening in our spaces. With in-library programs suspended due to COVID-19, the Library pivoted to virtual programming to continue providing a place for community, learning and entertainment. What began with sharing recorded storytimes on social media has grown to a robust calendar of live online Zoom programs and events ranging from author readings and exercise classes to STEAM festivals and interactive storytimes. To view our current programs, check out our Calendar of Events! Entrants: • Carmen Centeno, Main Library • Louise Gestwicki, Main Library • Leila Khalil, Main Library • Monica Martinez, Main Library • Miriam Quiros-Laso, Coral Reef Branch Library

Virtual Exhibitions: Art Beyond the Library Gallery Our Permanent Art Collection has moved beyond the library galleries and into your homes! The Library’s Art Services and Exhibitions and Digital Collections divisions collaborated to digitize select pieces from the art collection and create 12 curated Virtual Exhibitions. The digital platform helps young artists, educators, patrons and beyond learn about artists and artwork that reflect Miami’s cultural composition and chronicle its artistic and social history. Entrant:  • Oscar Fuentes, Main Library • Crystal Garcia, Main Library

Virtual Teen Programs – Bridging a Shutdown of Traditional Library Services Within a week of closing to the public due to COVID-19, the Library’s teen technology education unit – YOUmedia Miami – began offering virtual teen programs via the internet. Staff employed a combination of technology, creativity, and knowledge gained over years of providing in-person digital literacy and media production workshops to forge a new bond online. During a seven-month period, staff designed, delivered, and published nearly 50 virtual teen programs. Entrant: • Colin Creasy, Main Library

Programs and Events

Beauty 101 Academy Beauty, health and wellness were the focus of the Beauty 101 Academy in the fall of 2019 at the North Dade Regional Library. In a safe and judgement free environment, teens and adults learned about practical and affordable ways to care for themselves mentally, emotionally and physically. During the five-week academy, participants developed healthy skincare regimens, explored the principles of proper nutrition, learned the basics of selecting and applying makeup, and were encouraged to stay active for better health. Entrant: • Priscilla Hill, North Dade Regional Library

Circulo de Lectores en Shenandoah (Spanish Book Club at Shenandoah) The Shenandoah Branch Library’s Circulo de Lectores has been a staple at the library and a patron favorite since 2017. Meeting monthly, the adult Spanish-language book club brings together a diverse group of people for engaging and thought-provoking conversations that lead to opportunities to learn about different cultures and traditions.  Entrant: • Jessica Iglesias, Shenandoah Branch Library

Patent and Trademark Assistance As a Patent and Trademark Resource Center (PTRC), the Main Library has helped small businesses, entrepreneurs and inventors navigate the patent and trademark process for decades and now offers the service in Spanish to help reduce language barriers. PTRC librarians help participants learn how to use search tools to conduct a patent or trademark search, locate information on the application process and fee schedule, and find legal resources. Entrants: • Mary Garcia, Main Library • Shana Hinze, Main Library

Family Lego at Naranja Branch Naranja Branch Library began offering the Family Lego Program as a way to bring the community together. It attracted young, reluctant readers and provided an activity for young children while their older siblings were being tutored. Through the program, the branch also introduced children to Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics (STEAM) programs, providing a foundation for the future.  Entrant:  • Milena Gonzalez, Naranja Branch Library