Save the Miami-Dade Public Library System

All 49 library branches now safe from closure! In October, 169 library employees will be fired Followed by drastic cuts to hours and services that will essentially diminish the library system to nothing! Let your voices be heard by commissioners.

[savethemiamidadelibraries]

Without more tax dollars, Miami-Dade library system would fire more than half its full-time staff - Miami-Dade - MiamiHerald.com

A draft budget for cutting $20 million out of Miami-Dade’s libraries shows elimination of about 250 payroll slots. Mayor Carlos Gimenez says he won’t back a tax increase without voter approval.

[savethemiamidadelibraries]

Arts, library advocates push for higher taxes in Miami-Dade - Miami-Dade - MiamiHerald.com

Mayor Carlos Gimenez said he may ask voters to endorse higher taxes for recreational services, including libraries and arts. Groups who want the money are urging the mayor to pursue the plan.

[savethemiamidadelibraries]

Interview on "Lets Talk About It!" about the future of the libraries.

Skip to the 38 minute mark to get to the interview.

[savethemiamidadelibraries]

Supporters of the Libraries, Thank you for doing your part to help save the Miami-Dade Libraries. During the early morning hours of 9/20/2013, the Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners voted 11-2 which ordered the approval of the budget and upheld their decision on the Amendment to Item E, the full funding of the libraries by means of Carry-Over, Reserves and/or Contingencies. Thank the citizens who supported this cause. Thank the brave librarians who worked hard keep our libraries open. Thank your commissioners for listening and for voting to save our libraries. Thank you to the two graduate students who created this Facebook movement from thousands of miles away. They fought for this cause through social media while the librarians and citizens campaigned in person. Support the Friends of the Library with their Ten by Ten challenge let’s make that happen! Be sure to thank your commissioner for their vote! Now is the time to send out your appreciation for what they have done! The battle for the libraries, however, is far from over. Continue to “Like” the Save the Miami-Dade Public Libraries Facebook Page to receive updates as we as we prepare for the next phase of this campaign.  Because of your efforts, we were able to #saveourlibraries - Save the Miami-Dade Public Libraries Campaign

[savethemiamidadelibraries]

Motion officially passes 11 - 2 to use carryover reserves for the library.

It is confirmed.

We have won!

[everylibrary]

A Victory in Miami-Dade

As a true testament to the value of advocacy, Miami-Dade County Library board of commissioners met last night and restored funding to the libraries after a large public outcry of library supporters.  These supporters were rallied and led to fight for the cause in part by your generous support.  This support allowed EveryLibrary to activate the citizens of this large Florida County and we want to tell you how it was achieved.

Online Advocacy

While there wasn’t time for an effective on the ground campaign, Everylibrary was able to help Miami-Dade engage the community largely through Ad-Buys on Facebook.   The ads, which you helped to fund, went to activate citizens to Save The Miami-Dade County Library and played out like this.  By targeting 340,000 potential FB users in the county we helped reach 68,675 of them in just 71 hours, which is an incredible rate of return.  Of those reached, 1,849 clicked through to the post and 1,163 did something after clicking.  Many times these links were shared or people went to the call to action website for ways to reach their Commissioners drastically increasing our reach.

This was all done through your support in about 72 hours and this is just one of the ways that EveryLibrary is working to support libraries in crisis.

What happens next?

While the good news is that Miami-Dade will support the library with funds from its reserve for the next year, we need to understand that this is not a sustainable model of library funding.  In fact, unless Miami-Dade overhauls the way it funds and runs the libraries between now and next year, commissioners will have to cut services or hike the property-tax rate in 12 months.  This means that we only won the battle and the next fight will gear up as next year’s budget is developed.  We are going to need your support again.

What can you do?

If you want to support Miami-Dade, we highly encourage you to like their Facebook page and follow the news as things continue to develop.  We will also be reporting on what happens next on the EveryLibrary Facebook page and Twitter stream.

Of course, as always, you can help EveryLibrary fund these fights by contributing, and encouraging your friends, family, and library supporters to contribute to our organization at rally.org/everylibrary. 

[savethemiamidadelibraries]

A huge thank you goes to EveryLibrary!

[savethemiamidadelibraries]

We would like to take this moment to say a special thank you to the thousands of supporters who have dedicated their time and energy through hard work...

A special Thank You to everyone for their hard work and dedication!

[savethemiamidadelibraries]

No cuts will be made to the library system for another year!

251 jobs saved 22 libraries saved 2 bookmobiles saved MDPLS SAVED A reprieve has been reached!!

[savethemiamidadelibraries]

Library Staff presenting to the Commission

"They can lay off employees but they can never break this strong bond, a bond that involves people who love what they do a selfless job that only gives back to our community." - supporter comment

[savethemiamidadelibraries]

Live and Recorded Public meetings of Board of County Commissioners' First Budget Hearing for Miami Dade County

The meeting has been going strong since 5 pm.

[savethemiamidadelibraries]

World class communities have world class libraries

Commissioner Dennis Moss

[savethemiamidadelibraries]

Today

  Today, we find out whether we go down in the history books as casualties of a poorly decided county budget, or whether we become the county that rallied together and saved their library, their livelihoods, and in turn, the community. We have had an uphill battle. But it is finally coming to a head--the last round, the last chance.  If you have not spoken, if you have not been blatant about your support, now is the time that counts.  We will be letting our Commissioners know that we are MORE THAN JUST NUMBERS and a line item expenditure. We are not replaceable or expendable. We are people. We are library staff--and we do a damn good job. Do not be afraid to fight for what is right. Do not be silenced.  If you don't have a shirt that's been circulating, wear white! We have#saveourlibrary stickers ready to plaster over any library supporter! We hope that to see everyone's smiling, albeit nervous faces, today... and I hope that we can find comfort in one another as we face the biggest battle yet.

-Revised comment from a librarian supporter

[savethemiamidadelibraries]

Library Millage Rates: 2005 - .4860 2006 - .4860 2007 - .3842 2008 - .3822 2009 - .3822 2010 - .2840 2011 - .17950 (Gimenez came into office: 300 employees laid off and hours were cut) 2012 - .17250

The proposed .2993 we are asking for is not a "tax hike," it is partial restoration of the funding the library system has lost over the years. This increase will cost residents approximately $20 a year. This will be the equivalent of buying one hardback book per year in order to fully fund the library system.

[savethemiamidadelibraries]

Our Miami-Dade Public Library System is in grave danger! We need your help TODAY. Mayor Gimenez has proposed a budget that will essentially diminish the library system to nothing. Tweet, email, or call the commissioners and mayor. Tell them: "Raise the millage rate to 0.2993 and fully fund the library system to #saveourlibraries". The Board of County Commissioners meeting being held Tuesday, September 10th at 5:01 pm will be the only time to set the millage rate to fully fund the libraries! Click the link for contact information and more ways to help:  http://tiny.tw/3bFj

Find us on Facebook and Twitter

[savethemiamidadelibraries]

Our Miami-Dade Public Library System is in grave danger! We need your help TODAY. Mayor Gimenez has proposed a budget that will essentially diminish the library system to nothing. Tweet, email, or call the commissioners and mayor. Tell them: "Raise the millage rate to 0.2993 and fully fund the library system to #saveourlibraries". The Board of County Commissioners meeting being held Tuesday, September 10th at 5:01 pm will be the only time to set the millage rate to fully fund the libraries! Click the link for contact information and more ways to help:  http://tiny.tw/3bFj

Find us on Facebook and Twitter

[savethemiamidadelibraries]

Our Miami-Dade Public Library System is in grave danger! We need your help TODAY. Mayor Gimenez has proposed a budget that will essentially diminish the library system to nothing. Tweet, email, or call the commissioners and mayor. Tell them: "Raise the millage rate to 0.2993 and fully fund the library system to #saveourlibraries". The Board of County Commissioners meeting being held Tuesday, September 10th at 5:01 pm will be the only time to set the millage rate to fully fund the libraries! Click the link for contact information and more ways to help:  http://tiny.tw/3bFj

Find us on Facebook and Twitter

[savethemiamidadelibraries]

With just about 3 days (and really, only one business day) left until the Commission decides on the Final Budget for FY 2013-2014, library advocates are holding one last event to spread awareness to the community.

"A Celebration of Libraries: 

Come out to a friend-raiser event where we will be screening 'Fahrenheit 451' and spreading library advocacy in light of pending budget cuts to our beloved Miami Dade Public Libraries. Guest speakers of the night will include: 

Dr. Caren Neile, Director South Florida Storytelling Project,

Carrie Sue Ayvar, Award winning Storyteller,

Melinda Munger, former MDPLS Librarian and beloved storyteller,

Walter Wally, Children's author and irreverent rhymer

and other special guests.

When: Tomorrow, September 7 @ 7 PM

Where: Pinecrest Gardens, Banyan Bowl

11000 S. Red Road, Miami, FL 33156

Cost: Free!"