During the past few weeks we’ve posted multiple items (see below) about the possibility of many Miami-Dade Public Library branches being closed. The number of branches has been reduced (as of this hour) from what was first announced but nothing is definite at this time and grassroots efforts are essential.
Shortly after news broke about Miami-Dade the “Save the Miami-Dade Public Libraries” group was formed by Andrew Herridge and his sister-in-law Vanessa Reyes-Herridge.
Vanessa Reyes-Herridge is a former Miami-Dade librarian who now lives in Boston as she works on a Phd in Library and Information Science at Simmons.
Andrew Herridge graduated Florida State University in Psychology and Editing, Writing, and Media will beattending graduate school at University of West Florida for Clinical Psychology.
Like many, he “grew-up” at his local library.
Andrew and Vanessa tell us:
[We] collectively believe that libraries hold the key to the success of the next generation. Libraries are responsible for giving access to and teaching patrons how to use new forms of technology today are evolving and being incorporated into society
On Facebook, “Save the Miami-Dade Public Libraries” had more than 2,000 supporters after week one. Currently, that number is over 4,000.
Finally, the group passed along an open letter sent to residents of Miami-Dade.
It’s titled, “How to run a 49-branch library system without laying off 251 library staff.
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