TITLE
RESOLUTION CO-DESIGNATING THE MIAMI-DADE COUNTY MAIN LIBRARY THE HELEN MUIR MAIN LIBRARY

BODY
WHEREAS, Mrs. Helen Muir came to Miami-Dade County in 1934 to work as a public relations officer at the Roney Plaza Hotel; and
WHEREAS, at this same time, Mrs. Muir joined the Coconut Grove Library Association, which at the time was merely a subscription library; and
WHEREAS, in 1962, she was appointed to the Board of Trustees for the City of Miami's Public Library; and
WHEREAS, subsequent to her appointment, Mrs. Muir published an article in the Miami News entitled "Why its time for a County Library System," which sparked a thoughtful public debate that ultimately led to the consolidation of the City and County library systems and established the County library system; and
WHEREAS, due to her vast knowledge and considerable insight regarding library systems, Mrs. Muir was not only elected as the first Chairperson of the Library Advisory Board, but was also appointed to the Dade County Library Committee of the Florida Library Development Council; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Muir worked diligently and tirelessly with the Dade County District Library Committee to create and strategize for a Bond Issue campaign; and
WHEREAS, on behalf of the Bond issue campaign, Mrs. Muir appeared before a variety of community groups and media outlets to encourage County-wide support of the Bond issue; and
WHEREAS, in honor of her advocacy, Mrs. Muir was selected to appear on the American Library Trustee Association Advocates Honor Roll in 2000 and her name is prominently displayed in the State Library; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Muir has been a visionary in her continuous efforts to unify and enhance the Miami-Dade library system; and
WHEREAS, the present Miami-Dade public library system is direct evidence of her foresight and devotion to the Miami-Dade County library system; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 2-1 of the Code of Miami-Dade County, Rule 9.02, this Board has the authority to co-designate County facilities; and
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners in recognition of Mrs. Muir's pioneering efforts, unparalleled advocacy and steadfast commitment to the Miami-Dade County library system wishes to co-designate the Main Library located at 101 West Flagler, as the Helen Muir Library; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Muir's efforts span 47 years and have resulted in an overwhelmingly successful County-wide library system, which has undoubtedly been in the best interest of Miami-Dade County,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, that the Board of County Commissioners hereby agrees to co-designate the Main Library located at 101 West Flagler Street as the Helen Muir Main Library.