News Flash

The City of North Miami Public Library proudly announces the grand opening of the community’s first 24-Hour Library, a self-service kiosk providing residents with unrestricted access to library materials at any time. A ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place on Tuesday, December 16, at 10:00 a.m. at the Joe Celestin Center, 1525 NW 135 St, North Miami, FL 33161. 

This cutting edge 24-Hour Library, powered by EnvisionWare technology, functions as a standalone, fully automated mini-branch. Residents can check out and return books, place and pick up holds, browse selections, and access their accounts 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, extending library service far beyond traditional hours. 

This kiosk represents the City’s belief that learning and opportunity should never be limited by time or circumstances. This service provides flexible, accessible literacy resources, and this 24-Hour Library is a direct investment in our residents’ education, growth, and lifelong learning.” 

Strategically placed in District 4, the kiosk expands critical access to families, working residents, students, and seniors who may not be able to visit the library during standard hours. By removing barriers to access, the 24-Hour Library strengthens the City’s commitment to literacy and equitable service delivery. 

North Miami is the first municipal library in the region to implement this technology, positioning the City as a leader in modern, community-centered library service. Across the country, 24-hour kiosks are increasingly recognized as cost-effective tools for expanding reach without the need for constructing or staffing full branches.

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Media Contact

Sa'Vanna D. Smith, Communications Officer II305-893-6511, Ext. 12156smith@northmiamifl.gov

About the City of North Miami

North Miami is a suburban city located in northeast Miami-Dade County, Florida. It is roughly 10 miles (16 km) north of Miami. The city lies on Biscayne Bay which surrounds the Biscayne Bay Campus of Florida International University. North Miami is home to a diverse demographic of residents. With more than 64,000 residents, North Miami is the sixth largest city in Miami-Dade County. We are home to the Oleta River State Park; the largest urban park in the Florida State Park System and the nationally accredited Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA North Miami).

May 17, 2024

The North Miami Public Library is thrilled to welcome award-winning author, Omar Tyree on Saturday, June 8, as part of his 2024 Summer Book Tour, which celebrates the early launch of his new book, titled “Control.” 

“Control” is Tyree’s first book since the release of “The Last Street Novel,” in 2012. The North Miami Public Library will host “An Afternoon With Author Omar Tyree,” as part of its growing adult programming initiative. 

“Author Omar Tyree's visit to the North Miami Public Library is monumental. Not only is he known as one of the top urban fiction writers for millennials, but his presence marks the beginning of a significant movement,” said Georgette Spratling, North Miami Public Library Manager. “It signifies the emergence of black literature within our community, asserting its presence here and now. This event could and should pave the way for many other influential authors to grace us with their presence, further amplifying the importance of black voices in literature.” 

Tyree’s North Miami tour stop includes a book reading, a moderated conversation with the author, an audience Q&A session, a book signing and photo opportunities. The North Miami Public Library will provide signed copies of “Control” to the first 50 event attendees. 

Omar Tyree is a New York Times bestselling author, NAACP Image Award-winner, recipient of the Phillis Wheatley Literary Award, journalist, speaker, entrepreneur and filmmaker. A graduate of Howard University's School of Communications, he has written more than twenty books with over two million copies in print. 

The North Miami Public Library is located at 835 NE 132nd Street, North Miami, FL 33161. For more information about this event, please call 305-891-5535.

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Media Contact

Eunicia Baker, Communications Director305-893-6511, Ext. 12151ebaker@northmiamifl.gov

About the City of North Miami

North Miami is a suburban city located in northeast Miami-Dade County, Florida. It is roughly 10 miles (16 km) north of Miami. The city lies on Biscayne Bay which surrounds the Biscayne Bay Campus of Florida International University. North Miami is home to a diverse demographic of residents. With more than 64,000 residents, North Miami is the sixth largest city in Miami-Dade County. We are home to the Oleta River State Park; the largest urban park in the Florida State Park System and the nationally accredited Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA North Miami).

April 30, 2024

Construction of the North Miami Public Library’s Lucia Martinez Gonzalez Tot Lot is officially underway. The City of North Miami celebrated with a Groundbreaking Ceremony, hosted by Councilwoman Kassandra Timothe, MPA, of District 2. 

Named in honor of Lucia Martinez Gonzalez, former NoMi Library Director, this tot lot promises to be a cherished addition to the city's recreational landscape. The ceremony brought together community members including the Friends of the North Miami Library, local officials, and stakeholders to commemorate the beginning of this transformative project. Located on the site of a previous playground, the Lucia Martinez Gonzalez Tot Lot signifies a renewal of commitment to providing safe and enjoyable spaces for children and families in North Miami. 

"This ceremony marked a significant milestone for our community as we broke ground on the Lucia Martinez Gonzalez Tot Lot at the North Miami Public Library, a playground that hasn't changed since I was a child.” said Timothe. “This is the first time since 2019 the City had inaugurated a new tot-lot, which will include climbing features and new landscaping. This space will honor the legacy of a beloved contributor to our City, who has made great strides in improving lives through enrichment activities offered at the library.” 

Scheduled to be completed by June 2024, the tot lot will feature state-of-the-art amenities and innovative design elements to promote physical activity, creativity, and social interaction among children. With a firm dedication to inclusivity and accessibility in mind, the tot lot’s design will accommodate children of all abilities, ensuring that every community member can participate and thrive. 

“Playgrounds are more than just places for kids to have fun. They're also places where people form connections and let their imaginations run wild,” said Gonzalez who was present at the groundbreaking.” It’s also another means of drawing people to one of North Miami’s most important public resources for learning, communing, resident support, and awareness of the many helpful services that our community offers. Being acknowledged in this manner by the City that I love truly warms my heart. I am forever grateful." 

As construction progresses, the City of North Miami anticipates a June 2024 grand opening of the Lucia Martinez Gonzalez Tot Lot.

Photos from the gourdbreaking ceremony

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Media Contact

Sa'Vanna D. Smith, Communications Officer II305-893-6511, Ext. 12156ssmith@northmiamifl.gov

About the City of North Miami

North Miami is a suburban city located in northeast Miami-Dade County, Florida. It is roughly 10 miles (16 km) north of Miami. The city lies on Biscayne Bay which surrounds the Biscayne Bay Campus of Florida International University. North Miami is home to a diverse demographic of residents. With more than 64,000 residents, North Miami is the sixth largest city in Miami-Dade County. We are home to the Oleta River State Park; the largest urban park in the Florida State Park System and the nationally accredited Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA North Miami).

North Miami Public Library serves as a beacon of Haitian culture and a magnified influencer during Haitian Heritage Month

May 15, 2023

Approaching the glass doors of North Miami Public Library may seem like an embarkment upon a quintessential hometown gathering place for nostalgic book readers and neighborhood kids after school. Visitors soon discover, however, that after entering those same glass doors the vibe quickly changes into a cultural explosion. The library is actually an embodiment of a potpourri of Haitian elements. From its authentic Haitian Book Collection to its colorful hanging artwork, the library reflects a strong cultural influence indicative of the heritage of the people it serves So, it was only fitting that the North Miami Public Library, 835 NE 132 St, North Miami, FL 33161, evolved into the epicenter of the city’s 2023 Haitian Heritage Month celebration and magnified its influence throughout May. 

“We are hosting celebratory events around the city which allows us to expand our reach into the community,” Library Director and North Miami Haitian Heritage Month Committee Chairperson Paul Bazile explained. “Residents and even city visitors have a chance to sample library offerings outside of the facility this month which we hope will encourage them to visit the local library year-round.” 

The library kicked off the monthlong celebration by facilitating a lunch-and-learn dialogue on mental health issues in the Haitian community at the city’s Scott Galvin Community Center, 1600 NE 126 St, North Miami, FL 33181. Library Manager Georgette Spratling opened the dialogue and concluded it with the importance of working with youth and caring for their mental health since more than half of the library patrons are kids. "The library serves as a beacon of knowledge and a sanctuary for learning, not just in books but in the diverse topics that shape our lives,” Spratling shared. “By hosting a lunch and learn event on mental health stigmas in the Haitian community, the library embraces its role as a catalyst for empathy and understanding. 

She went on to state that by breaking down barriers and fostering open conversations around mental health not only promotes inclusivity, but also cultivates a supportive environment where individuals can find solace, knowledge, and strength. She ended by noting that “together, we can erase the stigma surrounding mental health, enriching our community with compassion and empowering every individual to thrive." 

Events happening at the library during May in celebration of Haitian Heritage Month are Guest Storytime every Wednesday at 3:30PM which will feature children’s books from Haitian and Haitian American authors; free Kompa Classes every Wednesday at 6:30PM; and the Haitian Comedian Meet and Greet on Thursday, May 26, 2023, 10PM, immediately following the Haitian Heritage Month Comedy Show with popular headliner Comedian Success Jr. 

For a full listing of North Miami Haitian Heritage Month events, visit NorthMiamiFL.gov/Celebrate. To learn more about the library’s Haitian Book Collection, call North Miami Public Library at 305-891-5535. 

North Miami Public Library director and manager along with North Miami Vice Mayor Mary Estimé- Irvin (center) and panelists for the Mental Health Awareness Lunch and Learn event.

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Media Contact

Traci Y. Pollock, Communications Manager305-893-6511, Ext. 12151tpollock@northmiamifl.gov

About the City of North Miami

North Miami is a suburban city located in northeast Miami-Dade County, Florida. It is roughly 10 miles (16 km) north of Miami. The city lies on Biscayne Bay which surrounds the Biscayne Bay Campus of Florida International University. North Miami is home to a diverse demographic of residents. With more than 64,000 residents, North Miami is the sixth largest city in Miami-Dade County. We are home to the Oleta River State Park; the largest urban park in the Florida State Park System and the nationally accredited Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA North Miami).

The North Miami Public Library Resumes Saturday Service and Expands Hours of Operation 

North Miami, FL – November 17, 2021

The City of North Miami is proud to announce an expansion of hours of operation at the North Miami Public Library. Beginning Wednesday, December 1st, 2021 the Library will be open on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Wednesdays from 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., and Friday through Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 

This expansion of hours marks a major step in the restoration of pre-pandemic Library services and programs. The new hours are a direct result of funding received from the ALA COVID Library Relief Fund. In July 2021, the Library received a $45,000 grant from the ALA COVID Library Relief Fund of which $25,000 were allocated to supplement the library’s book budget. By increasing this budget, the Library has been able to acquire this year’s Youth Media Award winning titles and new book releases for all ages. The “New Books” section of the library were replenished during the summer months and the start of the academic school year. The grant also provided funding to hire a part-time Librarian and a part-time Library Aide. These two positions will supplement staffing levels needed to expand the Library’s hours of operation. 

The ALA COVID Library Relief Fund is generously supported by Acton Family Giving as part of its pandemic responsive grant-making. Initial seed funding was provided by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation to bolster educational and cultural organizations who were impacted by COVID-19. For a complete list of grant recipients and project proposals, visit ALA’s COVID Library Relief Fund. To schedule an interview with North Miami Public Library Director Lucia Gonzalez, please email your request to Susset Cabrera at sucabrera@northmiamifl.gov.

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