Main Library — Attraction in Miami

I am a huge fan of Miami-Dade Public Library System. I belong to two book clubs and most of the books I read are from the library. MDPLS has an excellent selection of books, including recent releases in all its libraries. Ordering a book is easy and the wait is usually short. My local library is Lemon City where the staff are always 100%. Friendly, helpful and eternally in good form. It’s a pleasure to go there, conveniently located two blocks west of Biscayne Blvd., with ample parking on the streets if the lot is full. I’ve taken free Spanish lessons at the Westchester library and have enjoyed workshops and music performances at several libraries throughout the city and Miami Beach over the years. I go to the Main Library from time to time, usually to see an art exhibit-there’s a fine space upstairs that showcases beautifully. Recently I attended a GMD workshop and this past Saturday, the Local Author Fair. It was a wonderful event and I had the opportunity to meet several local authors including Seth Bramson, Craig Pittman, Maika Moulite, Maritza Moulite, Tamara B. Rodriguez and more. South Florida has a treasure trove of talented writers. The event included live music performances and started on time with remarks from Ray Baker, Director at Miami-Dade Public Library System who thanked everyone for attending, encouraged all to get library cards and thoughtfully acknowledged the staff who worked tirelessly to pull this event together. Keynote speakers were Craig Pittman and Edwidge Danticat and both did entertaining, and in the case of Ms. Danticat, heartwarming PowerPoint presentations. Books & Books was on hand selling local authors’ books. I picked up several and wished I got more! The Main Library is located on the plaza level of the Miami-Dade Cultural Center along with HistoryMiami Museum on West Flagler Street. (The Cultural Center is a striking, fortress-like complex, designed by Philip Johnson, in the early 1980s in the heart of historic downtown Miami steps from the Metromover). Highly recommended getting a library card and spending a couple hours in this lovely library or indeed any branch around the...

I love the library, and I used to come to this location (main one, downtown Miami) with my son, as it is enormous—tons of whatever you are looking for or researching.

However, today I had a different experience. At 5:58 the door was locked. I didn’t know what time it was, until I checked my phone, after not being able to get in. I showed my phone (time) to the young African American woman security guard at the front desk. Another (African American, young male) came to the door as a reinforcement (to the heavy security risk I was presenting?), wanting to know what I wanted. I asked why are they closing before the indicated time.

I guess he felt like arguing, or was stalling, so that the clock would advance. Then a hefty African American female hurriedly came to their ‘defense’—pretty funny, as I was outside a locked door. She asked what was going on. I repeated my question; however the two minutes had passed, and yes, it was now 6pm. I did comment that they should remain open until they CLOSE. She said it was 6, and what did I think I was going to do with 2 minutes. I responded that I’m outweighed, three-to-one, so I’m not going to bother... THREE guards against me? Nah, I’ll pass, and I told them so.

I’m not writing this so much for the public, but more for the people in charge over there. Unpleasant, rough security guards...at a LIBRARY? I felt as if I had hit the twilight zone, and had maybe visited a prison. Not my cup of tea, sorry.

Btw, this location seems to have a higher than average homeless population, so maybe that has affected the guards, but they need either some Zanax, or a different job....

Very large selection, very speedy service, and very nice and friendly professional staff.

Huge library with a selection to match! And whatever they don't have you can request and have it sent to them for you to pickup. Prints, videos, audiobooks, children's books, magazines, public computers, and more! Great and friendly, professionally efficient staff. Social services housed offices on the first floor. Soda and snacks vending area. Indoor table sitting area and outdoor tables as well. Elevator and handicap accessible and friendly place. Safe location place with constant security on the premises. Affordable photocopier and PC stations with Internet. Guest Wi-Fi and big bathrooms. Ice cold waterfountain. Monthly events scheduled and sharing a complex with the Miami Historic Museum as well as the Arts museum, both of whom offer really interesting and extremely cool varying seasonal exhibitions and tours. Conveniently located just across the street from the Government Center with both Downtown Metromover Rail Station access and MDC Metrorail Station access just a short walk away. A few blocks from the Bayside market and Bay front park. Right at the heart of historic downtown Miami. Great place for kids to awaken the intellectual curiosity and perfect place to go study, work on projects or unwind with a good book or video. I just love this place and the staff is very friendly and helpful and always available. I totally recommend this place to every and every one with no reservations at all, check it out!! And don't forget to visit the museums just across the courtyard from the...