Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez convenes Blue Ribbon Taskforce to analyze the future of the Miami-Dade Public Library System

Mayor’s Taskforce will develop a Master Plan for the community’s libraries for 2014 and beyond

(MIAMI, October 15, 2013) – Today, Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez announced he is convening a Mayor’s Blue Ribbon Taskforce at the end of this month to analyze and develop a Master Plan for the future of the Miami-Dade Public Library System.  The taskforce, which will be led by Mayor Gimenez, is comprised of business, education and community leaders as well as library funders, advocates, patrons and employees.

“I want to engage the entire community in a serious conversation about how we can preserve our libraries for the long-term future and provide even better services,” said Mayor Gimenez.  “Our residents and visitors deserve a sustainable, top-notch library system, and my administration aims to deliver on that.”

During the County’s Fiscal Year 2013-14 budget process, the role of libraries emerged as an important topic.  The decision was ultimately made to fully fund the existing library service model for the current fiscal year, leaving the Miami-Dade Public Library System with a projected $21 million deficit for fiscal year 2014-2015.  To move toward a fiscally sustainable library system that meets the current and future needs of the County in an innovative, but pragmatic manner, the Mayor’s Blue Ribbon Taskforce will confront difficult questions, propose viable solutions and share information with residents.

For more information on the Mayor’s Blue Ribbon Taskforce, contact Senior Advisor Lisa Martinez at 305-375-2911 or [email protected].

Link to Mayor’s Blue Ribbon Taskforce memoranda and calendar of upcoming meetings, http://www.miamidade.gov/mayor/library/2013-10-mayors-blue-ribbon-taskforce.pdf.