Res No 161-14-14255RESOLUTION NO.161-14-14255
A Resolution urging the Miami-Dade County Board of Commissioners to
create and implement a long-term stable funding plan that will restore full
funding to the entire Miami-Dade Public Library System.
WHEREAS,Libraries are central toourfree society because atthe heart of our
democracyisfreeaccesstoinformationforall,regardless of race,ethnicity,ability,oreconomic
status.Librariesrepresentanindividual'srighttoacquireknowledge,exploreandachieve.A
healthylibrarysystempromotesliteracyandculturalappreciationandfostersamore
knowledgeableand educated society;and
WHEREAS,revenuestoMiami-DadeCountylibrarieshavebeenreducedbymorethan
half inthelastfouryearscausingreducedoperatinghours,layoffs,areductioninnewtitles,and
fewerprogramsforchildrenandthecommunity.Theresult:55millionfewervisitstoour
librariessincebudgetcutsbeganandaresultingloss of servicestoresidents,and
WHEREAS,trained librarians arecentraltoa21stcenturylibrarysystembecausethey
are skilled research assistants and educators whoteach patrons howtobest access this important
resource that includes books,archives andthe Web.Theylevelthe playing field foreverypatron
whoneedsaccesstoinformationandthevaluableservicesprovidedbylibraries,and
WHEREAS,theCity Commission is aware ofthecurrentfundingcrisisfacedbythe
Public Library System,butitis encouraged and optimistic byan improved economy andthe
prospects forareturntoastabilizedandstrongeconomytherebyallowingfortherestoration of
fullfundingforthePublicLibrarySystem;and
WHEREAS,the Miami-Dade PublicLibrarySystemiscomprisedof forty-nine branches
which services over 2.5 million residents as well as approximately 8 million visitors throughout
Miami-Dade County;and
WHEREAS,withthe reduction of funding tothe Miami-Dade Public Library System
and the closures,down-sizing or reconfigurations ofthe Public Library System many children,
teens and adults within allthe Miami-Dade County municipalities have been turned away from a
placeoflearningasexemplifiedinthelocalSouthMiamiBranch;and
WHEREAS,since a recent survey bythe Task Force has shown thata significant
number of Miami-Dade County residents support the library system and are willing to support a
better level of service inthe Public Library System,theCity Commission believes thata
sustainable financial plan with the restoration of full funding for the Miami-Dade County Public
Library System isin the best interest of all the residents of the City and County.
NOW,THEREFORE,BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY
COMMISSION OFTHE CITY OFSOUTH MIAMI,FLORIDA,THAT:
Section 1.The Mayor and City Commission hereby urges the Miami-Dade County
Mayor and Board of County Commissioners to provide funding for the Public Library System
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Res.No.161-14-14255
forFY 2014-15,ata minimum,be maintained atthe level of funding forthe current FY 2013-14;
continue to provide the current level of service without reductions instaff,and implement a
stablelongtermfundingplantorestorefullfundingtotheentire Miami-Dade Public Library
System.
Section 2.TheCity Clerk is hereby instructed to transmit this resolution tothe
Miami-DadeCountyMayorandBoard of CountyCommissionersandtothemunicipalities
within Miami-Dade County.
Section 3.If anysectionclause,sentence,orphrase of this resolution isforany
reasonheldinvalidorunconstitutionalbyacourt of competent jurisdiction,theholdingshallnot
affectthevalidity of theremainingportions of thisresolution.
Section 4.Thisresolutionshalltakeeffectimmediatelyuponadoption.
Passed and adopted this 5^day ofAugust,2014.
ATTEST:
CITYCLERK f
s
READ ANDM>PROVED AS TO FORM,
LAN£K0SE,LEGALITY
E^etJTJON THEREOF,
ATTOI
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APPROVED:
MAYOR
COMMISSION VOTE:5-0
Mayor Stoddard:Yea
Vice Mayor Harris:Yea
Commissioner Edmond:Yea
Commissioner Liebman:Yea
Commissioner Welsh:Yea