MDPLS Urban Lit Club

About the Program

Category: Libraries (Best in Category)

Year: 2022

The mission of the Miami-Dade Public Library System (MDPLS) is “to provide extraordinary services, spaces and experiences that promote literacy and learning, personal growth and limitless opportunities.”  One way in which MDPLS strives to actualize its mission is by providing a variety of programs to meet the needs of its diverse community.  Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Miami-Dade County implemented safer at home restrictions which brought about many programming challenges and resulted in residents feeling socially isolated and disconnected from society.  Fortunately, it also created an opportunity for three library branches located in different geographical areas to offer a book club for patrons from different walks of life.  Coconut Grove, Culmer/ Overtown, and Lemon City Branch libraries partnered to create the Urban Lit Club which provided patrons with a platform to interact and socialize with one another, while aiming to promote literacy within the urban community.  The Urban Lit Club met monthly to discuss exciting and interesting urban fiction titles via the online platform Zoom, giving patrons the convenience of joining the program from anywhere. This platform provided a safe and comfortable environment for individuals to express themselves, while allowing one to make friends and gain new perspectives from others.