North Shore Branch Library — Attraction in Miami Beach

I have attended public libraries all over the country (I am a researcher) and I have never been as taken aback as I have at this location today.

On July 9, 2024, I stopped by the children's section with my child (who is very well behaved) and a staff member rushed in aggressively to snatch books from us.

She claimed that she had "just organized the books in place and did not anyone to touch them"

What is the point of going to a library, if you can't touch the books, browse through them and enjoy them?

If this woman does not want any children to touch the books in the children's section, she should either work in the adult section OR work at a museum, where patrons "just look, but don't touch" 🙄

If management reads this review, I request that they investigate staff at the children section and provide them with training on developmentally appropriate behavior around children (0-5).

A library is supposed to be an inviting space, meant to spark love for learning and discovery. Staff members who push children out with their hostile behavior achieve all the opposite.

They intimidate children (scare them, even) and leave parents with a sour taste in their system (why bother coming, if one feels disrespected?)

Lastly, a note to other parents: Do yourself a favor and either go to a for-profit bookstore (Barnes & Nobles, etc) OR to large libraries in other parts of the county. Sadly, income seems to matter and if you want to be treated with respect, you should visit libraries of neighborhoods where the community income is on the higher end. In other places, you and your child may be treated with respect, but don't...

This review is written as a serious HARASSMENT complaint towards the manager of this branch. On two separate occasions, she has seriously and unnecessarily harassed me while using the computer, because in her opinion, my mask was slightly below my nose. On both occurrences, I was sitting alone in the express computer, nowhere near anyone else, and she still proceeded to repeatedly and unnecessarily HARASS me, literally five times in five minutes; it was insane. Her approach is abusive, irrational, obsessive, uncomfortable and seriously unlawful. It is not bound by law or logic, or medicine, but by unnecessary control and abuse. It creates a tense environment for staff and guests alike, especially for those with medical exceptions. Her excessive behavior should be under review. No one else in the staff acts anywhere remotely close to her. She makes everyone, including the staff, uncomfortable, and you can feel it (Ive been here several times). The rest of the staff is pleasant, informative and helpful. Having said that, I will not be returning due to her repeated harassment, and that is the nature of my complaint; I am a tax paying citizen, I should not be discouraged to use a public space because of a single employee. Its 2022 she has two masks on and full cleaning gloves, heckling several people under threat of expulsion to lift their mask up to her liking, just so she can feel she is in control. Its mentally ill. We as tax paying citizens deserve better than that. Would not recommend...

Our little North Beach library is quiet, relatively clean, and offers much needed services such as free internet access, printing, community events, study spaces, and of course, book borrowing. Some destitute persons are inside, but they do not bother anyone other than staff. I come regularly and have never had any problems. Staff could really use an increase in pay/training as this particular library has a population uncommon for libraries. Sometimes I see people really pressing staff buttons, and with proper training the day could go by a bit more smoothly. It also seems the city keeps most of them at PT so they they don't have to pay out benefits. As a taxpayer, I think it's a disgrace. A few updates to the facility (paint job, refurbishment of furniture, better organization) could really improve the library for the community and make better use of the space. For those who comment against the destitute entering, what would you rather have? People loitering in the hot sun with drug dealers preying on them? Inside they are safer, and so are we. Have...