Engaging Underserved Communities through Innovative Outreach and Programming

About the Program

Category: Libraries (Best in Category)

Year: 2022

Miami-Dade Public Library System’s (MDPLS) vision is to “enrich and inspire our community through knowledge, creativity and innovation.” This vision aligns with the Library’s strategic goals to provide Miami-Dade County residents with “…events that are easily accessible and desired by the public” and to “bridge gaps in services and maximize the potential for reaching new audiences.” The children’s librarian at MDPLS’s North Central Branch Library – located in a predominately black neighborhood in an economically challenged area of the county – saw the necessity for providing residents with unique programming opportunities that reach beyond the four walls of its neighborhood library facility. The children’s librarian focused on the needs of one of the community’s greatest assets, underserved youth facing challenges in accessing library programs and services developed to enhance their cultural, educational, and recreational enlightenment. Staff identified challenges that were hindering residents from attending programs at the North Central Branch Library. These challenges included library staff’s inability to effectively communicate with some of the youths’ parents due to language barriers, the parents’ inability to bring their children to the library at the times programs were scheduled at the library branch, and the parents’ inability to bring their children to the library in general due to work obligations. This prompted the children’s librarian to continue to offer innovative programming at the library branch in the areas of reading, writing, math, culinary arts, community helpers, and STEAM related subjects while also bringing these same programs to local preschools, elementaries, and middle schools for the betterment of the youth residing in the community.