{"id":420267,"date":"2026-10-06T14:40:10","date_gmt":"2026-10-06T14:40:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/420267\/"},"modified":"2026-10-06T14:40:10","modified_gmt":"2026-10-06T14:40:10","slug":"good-libraries-need-good-friends-miamis-community-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/420267\/","title":{"rendered":"Good Libraries Need Good Friends Miami\u2019s Community News"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/p>\n

When Marylynne Schwartz mentioned the students who volunteer with Friends of the Miami-Dade Public Library, I knew just who to recommend.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re about to get two more,\u201d I told her.<\/p>\n

My daughters are in high school and need community service hours. I\u2019d spotted the opportunities on the Friends\u2019 website while preparing for our conversation on The Miami Book Hub podcast. Some interview research pays off at home, too.<\/p>\n

Marylynne, the Friends\u2019 President of three years, brought her experience in startups to the organization. After supporting Chicago\u2019s library foundation, she moved back to Miami and joined the Friends\u2019 board. Within a couple of months, the departing president asked her to take over. She hadn\u2019t even attended a board meeting.<\/p>\n

The Friends now has its first Executive Director\u2014Ava Habif\u2014 but volunteers still handle much of the work. They organize events, raise money and advocate for the library system.<\/p>\n

Marylynne reads 85 to 100 books a year. Reading helps her unwind, and an audiobook keeps her company in the car. \u201cIt\u2019s both your therapy and your entertainment,\u201d I told her. We also discovered a shared fondness for the Miami Lakes branch.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat I love about libraries is that they offer something for everyone,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

That means different things in different neighborhoods. We talked about internet access, makerspaces and programs for children and older adults. She especially recommended West Kendall Regional Library, where an unassuming shopping-center entrance opens into a place with a passport office, creative spaces and a large children\u2019s area. I told her I\u2019d have to check it out.<\/p>\n

We also discussed the Friends\u2019 opposition to Amendment 3 on this coming election\u2019s ballot. Marylynne warned that the proposed property-tax changes could reduce library funding, affecting branches, staffing and services such as tutoring and laptop lending. She described the Keep Libraries Funded<\/a> campaign, which is working to inform voters. Whatever your position on taxes, understanding what those dollars pay for ought to be part of the conversation.<\/p>\n

The Friends\u2019 annual fundraiser, Late at the Library: Growing Library Joy<\/a>, takes place Nov. 7th at the Coral Gables Branch Library. Marylynne also described Bookmarked, a planned free event on January 23rd combining Friends of MDPL\u2019s Book Club Fair with the library\u2019s Local Author Fair. As someone who has enjoyed both events in the past, I\u2019m looking forward to seeing them join forces.<\/p>\n

When I asked whether she might write a book herself, she had a different ambition:<\/p>\n

\u201cI want to make it so that other people write their books and they are available to everyone in the library.\u201d<\/p>\n

Watch the full conversation with Marylynne<\/a>, and visit TheMiamiBookHub.com<\/a> for more episodes and our newsletter. To volunteer, become a member or support the Friends, visit FriendsOfMDPL.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Until next time\u2026 keep reading, keep writing and stay curious, Miami!<\/p>\n


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