Miami-Dade Public Library System – South Miami Branch

A library with a balanced approach of having people to people assistance and high tech resources. Excellent audio-​visual section, in which there are many documentaries, movies, and audio books. The libary is peaceful and relaxing to read your books. There are plenty of 21^st century publications, along with enriching classics.

Aside from the weird hours and handful of metered parking spaces, this place is okay during the day, except for a random smelly vagabond here or there. Watch your stuff. However, after 3, this is not the place to come if you want to study in peace and quiet. The children’s section is now open, but after school, there are tables full of loud kids all over the library doing lessons. I wish they would use the children’s section so tht those of us who want to read or study in peace and quiet could do so.

So I’m checking into The library and FB, (some check-​ins I share,)…is asking me Who I’m with. Really?.. Didn’t know they cared… so I tell them…3 mangy llamas, 2 Tibetian Sherpas and the entire US Mud Wrestling Team… my usual entourage… and I may even return a book before we all tromp out!
No, really. I love my little neighborhood library in spite of the fact that they are always changing sections around causing me to feel l each time that I’m in there for the first time.
Been going there since my kids were little (story time!) and I’ve helped with career day a bunch of times teaching basic calligraphy strokes, (kids LOV it and they get real good real fast!) There used to be a closet in the lobby where donated books were sold at ridiculous prices and I’d always stick my nose in there and come out with 10 bucks worth of wonder and amazement. Unfortunately the closet closed and now donated books must be brought to the downtown main library for their twice yearly book sale fund raisers. This causes me (YES!, I’m the one) who drops already-​read books into the drop boxes with a «For Book Sale» tag. saves me many Metrorail trips downtown.
I (still) spend every summer with an author and read all that he/​she has written and the personnel there have always been accommodating in keeping me supplied with even the most obscure or out of date editions of whomever I was into. I also love when I got on an ‘indigenous peoples of Australia and New Zealand’ kick a few years ago and they went out of their way to find me books, and movies (few and far between, in Miami) even though they had to request them from other libraries in the US. They never even hint that I’m a pain in the neck,(I am!) or make comments (in front of me, anyway) like why can’t this redheaded pest just be content reading Danielle Steele or Harlequin romances!
The library was refurnished a few years ago I miss that I can no longer run my hand over the beautiful oak old-​world-​charm card catalogs,(I’m very tactile,) so I do most of my ordering through their web site and mostly go in to just pick stuffs up (and peruse their audio books).which I MUST have while I’m driving…) Parking is good there, drop boxes have easy access, bathrooms are clean, Not quiiite as comfortable as the Coral Gables Library with their many overstuffed comfy chairs but sleeping in libraries is um gauche anyway.(but they sure are comfortable)…Think I’ll go read a book now… bye!

Check the hours before going — the library system is being underfunded and many libraries are being slated to be closed. Hours for regionals may be reduced down to three days a week and branches to two days a week. Check
to see if they can survived this…

This place has incredibly weird hours (I’m updating them on this profile so you all don’t make the same mistake I’ve made more than once) and you have to PAY for parking.
It’s not cheap.
I know they’re doing me a favor by letting me borrow books, but REALLY I have to find a quarter somewhere in my car in order to return a book without fears of getting an $ 18 ticket? Lame.

Some (mosty?) staff there are very unfriendly, a few are actually insulting. I experienced very offensive behavior toward me by a staff C. B on January 25, Friday at about 1 pm.

Weird hours but I only use it to pick up books. Do not leave your car without money in the meter, even for a minute, they are quick and sneaky!

This library is extremely convenient as it is right off of US1 and across the street from the south Miami metrorail stop! It is well stocked, organized, and free wifi. When my brother ran some over due fees on my library card they took care of reducing them for me! By the way you can renew your books online up to 6 times and return at any library branch.

This South Miami library is a pain in the neck as far as location, it has the smallest parking lot in the world, maybe 10 metered spaces? Good luck on finding a spot at times, it’s located right next to the South Miami police station!
Aside from parking, this South Miami location has the largest graphic novel selection I’ve seen in this county. It’s located in the Young Adult section. Its DVD selection is a bit sketchy. Free wi-​fi here also and laptops you can use. This place sees alot of traffic from schoolkids, old folks, to slacker types.