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2013-28304 Reso Resolution No. 2013-28304 A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, STRONGLY OPPOSING THE CLOSURE OF THE NORTH SHORE BRANCH LIBRARY AND THE SOUTH SHORE BRANCH LIBRARY AND URGING THE MIAMI-DADE COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS TO KEEP THESE LIBRARIES OPEN AND PROPERLY FUNDED, AND FURTHER DIRECTING THE CITY CLERK TO TRANSMIT A COPY OF THIS RESOLUTION TO THE COUNTY COMMISSION. WHEREAS, the Mayor and City Commissioners of the City of Miami Beach strongly oppose the Miami-Dade County Board of County Commissioner's budget decision that will result in the closure of two (2) out of the three (3) public libraries in Miami Beach; and WHEREAS, the closure of the North Shore Branch Library ("North Shore Library") and the South Shore Branch Library ("South Shore Library"), will result in the loss of jobs and severely limit, if not eliminate, many invaluable programs and resources offered to many underserved residents of Miami Beach; and WHEREAS, the North Shore Library serves the culturally diverse and predominantly low and moderate income community of North Beach, which also encompasses a high concentration of immigrants; and WHEREAS, the South Shore Library serves the diverse community of South Beach, which provides a large supply of public and elderly housing and is in need of auxiliary support for its many programs that service the youth, elderly, immigrants, homeless, and low and moderate income residents; and WHEREAS, the North Shore Library is .4 miles from Biscayne Elementary School, a school with 86% of its students receiving free or reduced lunch; and if closed, the nearest branch would be 5 miles away, severely decreasing convenient library access for the residents of North Beach; and WHEREAS, the South Shore Library is .4 miles from South Pointe Elementary School, a school with 53% of its students receiving free or reduced lunch; and if closed, the nearest branch would be 2.4 miles away, severely decreasing convenient library access for the residents of South Beach; and WHEREAS, statistics show that one-third of Miami-Dade's children are not reading at grade level in the third grade and 88% of children who never graduated from high school were poor third grade readers; and WHEREAS, the North Shore Library and the South Shore Library are an important asset in the education of the youth of Miami Beach; and 1 WHEREAS, the North Shore Library and the South Shore Library significantly contribute to student achievement by providing computers and internet access for those students at a distinct economic disadvantage with no computers at home, along with providing instructional support and services; and WHEREAS, the South Shore Library is within walking distance of Rebecca Towers North, a thirteen-story elderly designated Section 8 building with 200 units, and Rebecca Towers South, a thirteen-story elderly designated public housing building with 200 units, providing convenient library access to approximately 600 senior citizens; and WHEREAS, an integral part of the North Shore Library and the South Shore Library is promoting competencies in using new and emerging technologies, which would not otherwise be available to patrons; and WHEREAS, the North Shore Library and the South Shore Library provide access to a wide variety of educational materials, including books, magazines, electronic databases and the technologies needed to utilize these resources; and WHEREAS, by providing convenient access and a myriad of services, the North Shore Library and the South Shore Library promote literacy, learning and the enjoyment of reading among the citizens of Miami Beach of all ages. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, AS FOLLOWS: 1. The Mayor and City Commission of the City of Miami Beach strongly oppose the closure of the North Shore Branch Library and the South Shore Branch Library and hereby urge the Miami-Dade County Board of County Commissioners to keep the North Shore Branch Library and the South Shore Branch Library open and properly funded as they are valuable resources to the approximately 87,779 residents of Miami Beach and its surrounding communities; and 2. The City Clerk is hereby directed to transmit a copy of this Resolution to the Miami-Dade County Board of County Commissioners in order to ensure that the County Commissioners know of Miami Beach's strong opposition to the closing of the North Shore Branch Library and the South Shore Branch Library. PASSED and ADOPTED this 19th day of July, 2013. ATTEST: L. Tobin - tic M ; or RAFA L E. GRANADO P 0RA-1 Lu- , CITY CLERK APPROVED AS TO ' FORM&LANGUAGE (Requested by Commissioner Dee i '��� -�:>>' ��6 &FOR EXECUTION T:\AGENDA\2013\July 17\Library Resolution Ralph Granado Final.docx gh 11-3 2 ttorney f Ciate MIAMI BEACH OFFICE OF THE MAYOR AND COMMISSION MEMORANDUM TO: Mr.Jimmy Morales, City Manager Mr.Jose Smith, City Attorney Mr. Rafael Granado, City Clerk FROM: Commissioner Deede Weithorn DATE: July 16, 2013 SUBJECT: Emergency Discussion Item: Proposed Miami-Dade County Budgetary Cut Backs In light of the recent news regarding Mayor Carlos Gimenez' proposed efficiencies to avoid a hike in property taxes, Commissioner Deede Weithorn would like to place an emergency discussion item on the meeting agenda of the July 17th, 2013 City Commission to discuss the potential closure of North Shore library and other cuts which may impact quality of life to Miami Beach residents. Should you have any questions and/or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me at extension 6528. Thank you, Alex J. Fernandez, Commissioner Weithorn's Office We are committed to providing excellent public service and sc et,to all who live,work,and play in our vibrant,tropical, historic communityl. Agenda Item 7 w Date —/7- � tom° � �. AA �- - CH City of Miami Beach, 1700-Convention Center Drive,Miami Beach, Florida 33139,www.miamibeachfi.gov Office of the City Clerk Rafael E. Granado Tel: 305-673-7411 Fax: 786-394-4127 Email: CityClerk @miamibeachfl.gov August 2, 2013 Commissioner Audrey Edmonson Stephen P. Clark Center 111 N.W. 1 st Street, Suite 220 Miami, FL 33128 Dear Commissioner Edmonson, Attached please find Resolution 2013-28304, a resolution of the Mayor and City Commission of the City of Miami Beach, Florida, strongly opposing the closure of the North Shore Branch Library and the South Shore Branch Library and urging the Miami- Dade County Board of County Commissioners to keep the se libraries open and properly funded. This Resolution was unanimously passed and adopted by the Mayor and City Commission of the City of Miami Beach on July 19, 2013. If you need additional information, please do not hesitate to call. Respectfully, Rafael E. Granado City Clerk c: Commissioner Deede Weithorn, City of Miami Beach We are committed to providing excellent public service and safety to all who live, work and play in our vibrant,tropical,historic community. FACLERI$ALLIKA1\Transmittal LetterslTransmittal Resolution 2013-28304 Library Closure.doc I A ! BEACH City of Miami Beach, 1700 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach, Florida 33139,www.miamibeachfi.gov Office of the City Clerk Rafael E. Granado Tel: 305-673-7411 Fax: 786-394-4127 Email: CityClerk @miamibeachfl.gov I August 2, 2013 Commissioner Sally A. Heyman Stephen P. Clark Center 111 N.W. 1 st Street, Suite 220 Miami, .FL 33128 Dear Commissioner Heyman, Attached please find Resolution 2013-28304, a resolution of the Mayor and City Commission of the City of Miami Beach, Florida, strongly opposing the closure of the North Shore Branch Library and the South Shore Branch Library and urging the Miami- Dade County Board of County Commissioners to keep these libraries open and properly funded. This Resolution was unanimously passed and adopted by the Mayor and City Commission of the City of Miami Beach on July 19, 2013. If you need additional information, please do not hesitate to call. Respectfully, Rafael E. Granado City Clerk .c: Commissioner Deede Weithorn, City of Miami Beach We are committed to providing excellent public service and safety to all who live, work and play in our vibrant,tropical,historic community. F:ICLERI$ALLIKAT1Transmittal LetterslTransmittal Resolution 2013-28304 Library Closure.doc NAIANAJ a City of Miami Beath, 1700 Convention Center Drive,Miami Beach, Florida 33139,www.miamibeachfi.gov Office of the City Clerk Rafael E. Granado Tel: 305-673-7411 Fax: 786-394-4127 Email: CityClerk @miamibeachfl.gov August 2, 2013 Commissioner Bruno A. Barreiro Stephen P. Clark Center 111 N.W. 1 st Street, Suite 220 Miami, FL 33128 Dear Commissioner Barreiro, Attached please find Resolution 2013-28304, a resolution of the Mayor and City Commission of the City of Miami Beach, Florida, strongly opposing the closure of the North Shore Branch Library and the South Shore Branch Library and urging the Miami- Dade County Board of County Commissioners to keep these libraries open and properly funded. This Resolution was unanimously passed and adopted by the Mayor and City Commission of the City of Miami Beach on July 19, 2013. If you need additional information, please do not hesitate to call. Respectfully, Rafael E. Granado City Clerk c: Commissioner Deede Weithorn, City of Miami Beach We are committed to providing excellent public service and safety to all who live, work and play in our vibrant,tropical,historic community. FACLERULLWKATMansmittal LetterslTransmittal Resolution 2013-28304 Library Closure.doc I City of Miami Beach, 1700 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach, Florida 33139,www.miamibeachfl.gov Office of the City Clerk Rafael E. Granado Tel: 305-673-7411 Fax: 786-394-4127 Email: CityClerk @miamibeachfl.gov August 2, 2013 Commissioner Rebeca Sosa Stephen P. Clark Center 111 N.W. 1 st Street, Suite 220 Miami, FL 33128 Dear Commissioner Sosa, Attached please find Resolution 2013-28304, a resolution of the Mayor and City Commission of the City of Miami Beach, Florida, strongly opposing the closure of the North Shore Branch Library and the South Shore Branch Library and urging the Miami- Dade County Board of County Commissioners to keep these libraries open and properly funded. This Resolution was unanimously passed and adopted by the Mayor and City Commission of the City of Miami Beach on July 19, 2013. If you need additional information, please do not hesitate to call. Respectfully, Rafael E. Granado City Clerk c: Commissioner Deede Weithorn, City of Miami Beach We are committed to providing excellent public service and safety to all who live, work and play in our vibrant,tropical,historic community. F:\CLER\$ALL\KAT\Transmittal Letters\Transmittal Resolution 2013-28304 Library Closure.doc 1 City of Miami Beach, 1700 Convention Center Drive,Miami Beach, Florida 33139,www.miamibeachfl.gov Office of the City Clerk Rafael E. Granado Tel: 305-673-7411 Fax: 786-394-4127 Email: CityClerk @miamibeachfl.gov August 2, 2013 Commissioner Xavier L. Suarez Stephen P. Clark Center 111 N.W. 1 st Street, Suite 220 Miami, FL 33128 Dear Commissioner Suarez, Attached please find Resolution 2013-28304, a resolution of the Mayor and City Commission of the City of Miami Beach, Florida, strongly opposing the closure of the North Shore Branch Library and the South Shore Branch Library and urging the Miami- Dade County Board of County Commissioners to keep these libraries open and properly funded. This Resolution was unanimously passed and adopted by the Mayor and City Commission of the City of Miami Beach on July 19, 2013. If you need additional information, please do not hesitate to call. Respectfully, afael E. Granado City Clerk c: Commissioner Deede Weithorn, City of Miami Beach We are committed to providing excellent public service and safety to all who live, work and play in our vibrant,tropical,historic community. FACLERULUKATMansmittal LetterslTransmittal Resolution 2013-28304 Library Closure.doc i 10 it A Pvl� B F A C H City of Miami Beach, 1700 Convention Center Drive,Miami Beach, Florida 33139,www.miamibeachfl.gov Office of the City Clerk Rafael E. Granado Tel: 305-673-7411 Fax: 786-394-4127 Email: CityClerk @miamibeachfl.gov August 2, 2013 Commissioner Lynda Bell Stephen P. Clark Center 111 N.W. 1 st Street, Suite 220 Miami, FL 33128 Dear Commissioner Bell, Attached please find Resolution 2013-28304, a resolution of the Mayor and City Commission of the City of Miami Beach, Florida, strongly opposing the closure of the j North Shore Branch Library and the South Shore Branch Library and urging the Miami- Dade County Board of County Commissioners to keep these libraries open and properly funded. This Resolution was unanimously passed and adopted by the Mayor and City Commission of the City of Miami Beach on July 19, 2013. If you need additional information, please do not hesitate to call. Respectfully, Rafael E. Granado City Clerk c: Commissioner Deede Weithorn, City of Miami Beach We are committed to providing excellent public service and safety to all who live, work and play in our vibrant,tropical,historic community. F:ICLERI$ALLIKAT1Transmittal LetterslTransmittal Resolution 2013-28304 Library Closure.doc I A NA I B E A C City of Miami Beach, 1700 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach, Florida 33139,www.miamibeachfi.gov Office of the City Clerk Rafael E. Granado Tel: 305-673-7411 Fax: 786-394-4127 Email: CityClerk @miamibeachfi.gov August 2, 2013 Commissioner Dennis C. Moss Stephen P. Clark Center 111 N.W. 1 st Street, Suite 320 Miami, FL 33128 Dear Commissioner Moss, Attached please find Resolution 2013-28304, a resolution of the Mayor and City Commission of the City of Miami Beach, Florida, strongly opposing the closure of the North Shore Branch Library and the South Shore Branch Library and urging the Miami- Dade County Board of County Commissioners to keep these libraries open and properly funded. This Resolution was unanimously passed and adopted by the Mayor and City Commission of the City of Miami Beach on July 19, 2013. If you need additional information, please do not hesitate to call. Respectfully, Rafael E. Granado City Clerk c: Commissioner Deede Weithorn, City of Miami Beach We are committed to providing excellent public service and safety to all who live, work and play in our vibrant,tropical,historic community. F:ICLERULLIKATMansmittal LetterslTransmittal Resolution 2013-28304 Library Closure.doc NrA I C City of Miami Beach, 1700 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach, Florida 33139,www.miamibeachfl.gov Office of the City Clerk Rafael E. Granado Tel: 305=673-7411 Fax: 786-394-4127 Email: CityClerk @miamibeachfl.gov August 2, 2013 Commissioner Javier D. Souto Stephen P. Clark Center 111 N.W. 1 st Street, Suite 320 Miami, FL 33128 Dear Commissioner Souto, Attached please find Resolution 2013-28304, a resolution of the Mayor and City Commission of the City of Miami Beach, Florida, strongly opposing the closure of the North Shore Branch Library and the South Shore Branch Library and urging the Miami- Dade County Board of County Commissioners to keep these libraries open and properly funded. This Resolution was unanimously passed and, adopted by the Mayor and City Commission of the City of Miami Beach on July 19, 2013. If you need additional information, please do not hesitate to call. Respectfully, Rafael E. Granado City Clerk c: Commissioner Deede Weithorn, City of Miami Beach We are committed to providing excellent public service and safety to all who live, work and play in our vibrant,tropical,historic community. F:ICLERULLIKA-Uransmittal LetterslTransmittal Resolution 2013-28304 Library Closure.doc I A.A/Ad B A C H City of Miami Beach, 1700 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach, Florida 33139,www.miamibeachfl.gov Office of the City Clerk Rafael E. Granado Tel: 305-673-7411 Fax: 786-394-4127 Email: CiyClerk @miamibeachfl.gov August 2, 2013 Commissioner Juan C. Zapata Stephen P. Clark Center 111 N.W. 1 st Street, Suite 320 Miami, FL 33128 Dear Commissioner Zapata, Attached please find Resolution 2013-28304, a resolution of the Mayor and City Commission of the City of Miami Beach, Florida, strongly opposing the closure of the North Shore Branch Library and the South Shore Branch Library and urging the Miami- Dade County Board of County Commissioners to keep these libraries open and properly funded. This Resolution was unanimously passed and adopted by the Mayor and City Commission of the City of Miami Beach on July 19, 2013. If you.need additional information, please do not hesitate to call. Respectfully, Rafael E. Granado City Clerk c: Commissioner Deede Weithorn, City of Miami Beach We are committed to providing excellent public service and safety to all who live, work and play in our vibrant,tropical,historic community. FACLER\$ALL\KA-Uransmittal Letters\Transmittal Resolution 2013-28304 Library Closure.doc I A;�\,A I B 1EM A C H City of Miami Beach, 1700 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach, Florida 33139,www.miamibeachfl.gov Office of the City Clerk Rafael E. Granado Tel: 305-673-7411 Fax: 786-394-4127 Email: CityClerk @miamibeachfl.gov August 2, 2013 Commissioner Jose "Pepe" Diaz Stephen P. Clark Center 111 N.W. 1 st Street, Suite 320 Miami, FL 33128 Dear Commissioner Diaz, Attached please find Resolution 2013-28304, a resolution of the Mayor and City Commission of the City of Miami Beach, Florida, strongly opposing the closure of the North Shore Branch Library and the South Shore Branch Library and urging the Miami- Dade County Board of County Commissioners to keep these libraries open and properly funded. This Resolution was unanimously passed and adopted by the Mayor and City Commission of the City of Miami Beach on July 19, 2013. If you need additional information, please do not hesitate to call. Respectfully, Ra ael E. Granado City Clerk c: Commissioner Deede Weithorn, City of Miami Beach We ore committed to providing excellent public service and safety to all who live, work and play in our vibrant,tropical,historic community. F:ICLERULLIKA-Uransmittal LetterslTransmittal Resolution 2013-28304 Library Closure.doc N/VA.P\AjBPtP-:ACH City of Miami Beach, 1700 Convention Center Drive,Miami Beach, Florida 33139,www.miamibeachfl.gov Office of the City Clerk Rafael E. Granado Tel: 305-673-7411 Fax: 786-394-4127 Email: CityClerk @miamibeachfl.gov August 2, 2013 Commissioner Esteban Bovo, Jr. Stephen P. Clark Center 111 N.W. 1 st Street, Suite 320 Miami, FL 33128 Dear Commissioner Bovo, Jr., Attached please find Resolution 2013-28304, a resolution of the Mayor and City Commission of the City of Miami Beach, Florida, strongly opposing the closure of the North Shore Branch Library and the South Shore Branch Library and urging the Miami- Dade County Board of County Commissioners to keep these libraries open and properly funded. This Resolution was unanimously passed and adopted by the Mayor and City Commission of the City of Miami Beach on July 19, 2013. If you need additional information, please do not hesitate to call. Respectfully, J Rafael E. Granado City Clerk c: Commissioner Deede Weithorn, City of Miami Beach We are committed to providing excellent public service and safety to all who live, work and play in our vibrant,tropical,historic community. F:\CLER\$ALL\KAT\Transmittal Letters\Transmittal Resolution 2013-28304 Library Closure.doc NA I A NA I. BEAC H City of Miami Beach, 1700 Convention Center Drive,Miami Beach, Florida 33139,www.miamibeachfi.gov Office of the City Clerk Rafael E. Granado Tel: 305-673-7411 Fax: 786-394-4127 Email: CityClerk @miamibeachfl.gov August 2, 2013 Commissioner.Barbara J. Jordan Stephen P. Clark Center 111 N.W. 1 st Street, Suite 220 Miami, FL 33128 Dear Commissioner Jordan Attached please find Resolution 2013-28304, a resolution of the Mayor and City Commission of the City of Miami Beach, Florida, strongly opposing the closure of the North Shore Branch Library and the South Shore Branch Library and urging the Miami- Dade County Board of County Commissioners to keep these libraries open and properly funded. This Resolution was unanimously passed and adopted by the Mayor and City Commission of the City of Miami Beach on July 19, 2013. If you need additional information, please do not hesitate to call. Respectfully, Rafael E. Granado City Clerk c: Commissioner Deede Weithorn, City of Miami Beach We are committed to providing excellent public service and safety to all who live, work and play in our vibrant,tropical,historic community. F:\CLER\$ALL\KA-RTransmittal Letters\Transmittal Resolution 2013-28304 Library Closure.doc MIA.1NAMEACH City of Miami Beach, 1700 Convention Center Drive,Miami Beach, Florida 33139,www.miamibeachfl.gov Office of the City Clerk Rafael E. Granado Tel: 305-673-7411 Fax: 786-394-4127 Email: CityClerk @miamibeachfl.gov August 2, 2013 Commissioner Jean Monestime Stephen P. Clark Center 111 N.W. 1 st Street, Suite 220 Miami, FL 33128 Dear Commissioner Monestime, Attached please find Resolution 2013-28304, a resolution of the Mayor and City Commission of the City of Miami Beach, Florida, strongly opposing the closure of the North Shore Branch Library and the South Shore Branch Library and urging the Miami- Dade County Board of County Commissioners to keep these libraries open and properly funded. This Resolution was unanimously passed and adopted by the Mayor and City Commission of the City of Miami Beach on July 19, 2013. If you need additional information, please do not hesitate to call. Respectfully, afael E. Gra ado City Clerk c: Commissioner Deede Weithorn, City of Miami Beach We are committed to providing excellent public service and safety to all who live, work and play in our vibrant,tropical,historic community. F:\CLER\$ALL\KAT\Transmittal Letters\Transmittal Resolution 2013-28304 Library Closure.doc A City of Miami Beach, 1700 Convention Center Drive,Miami Beach, Florida 33139,www.miamibeachfl.gov Office of the City Clerk Rafael E. Granado Tel: 305-673-7411 Fax: 786-394-4127 Email: CityClerk@miamibeachO.gov August 2, 2013 Honorable Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez Stephen P. Clark Center 111 N.W. 1 st Street Miami, FL 33128 Dear Honorable Mayor Gimenez, Attached please find Resolution 2013-28304, a resolution of the Mayor and City Commission of the City of Miami Beach, Florida, strongly opposing the closure of the North Shore Branch Library and the South Shore Branch Library and urging the Miami- Dade County Board of County Commissioners to keep these libraries open and properly funded. This Resolution was unanimously passed and adopted by the Mayor and City Commission of the City of Miami Beach on July 19, 2013. If you need additional information, please do not hesitate to call. Respectfully, Rafael E. Granado City Clerk c: Commissioner Deede Weithorn, City of Miami Beach We are committed to providing excellent public service and safety to all who live, work and play in our vibrant,tropical,historic community. F:ICLER\$ALL\KA-RTransmittal Letters\Transmittal Resolution 2013-28304 Library Closure.doc Cardillo, Lilia From: Cardillo, Lilia Sent: Friday, August 02, 2013 2:51 PM To: Fernandez, Alex Cc: Granado, Rafael; Cardillo, Lilia Subject: Emailing: Resolution 2013-28304.pdf Attachments: Resolution 2013-28304.pdf Importance: High Hi Alex, Please let Commissioner Deede Weithorn know that her Resolution No. 2013-28304 on strongly opposing the closure of the North Shore Branch Library and the South Shore Branch Library and urging the Miami-Dade County Board of County Commissioners to keep these libraries open and properly funded (see attached); has been transmitted to the County Commission. Thank you, MIAMIBEACH Lilia Cardillo, Agenda Coordinator OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK 1700 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach, FL 33139 Tel: 305-673-7411 / Fax: 786-394-4139 / www.miamibeachfl.gov We are committed to providing excellent public service and safety to all who live, work and play in our vibrant, tropical, historic community 1 2-d 13 -- 2-9-3 C -/�-�3 A MODEST PROPOSAL TO SAVE OUR STOREFRONT LIRARIES It is often said that government cannot provide more services with fewer resources. But that assumes that, (1), the existing bureaucracy will not benefit by streamlining it and (2) that private resources cannot be brought into the mix, where the objective is to save facilities as precious as our libraries. I have recently submitted a memo to Mayor Gimenez in which 1 offer a revenue- neutral (or perhaps "revenue-minimal") solution to the problem of having to close the Virrick Park Library. That facility is one of ten storefront libraries that are slated to be closed, under the current budget proposal. It is located in my district and is of extraordinary importance given its intense use by a population that in many cases does not have Internet access. Virrick, like Culmer, Lemon City, and Shenandoah, is a storefront library that uses City of Miami ("the City") facilities. Although the City waived rent via a 2003 Inter-local Agreement with the county, operating costs remain $334,000, including $208,000 for personnel; $15,000 for utilities; $22,000 for janitorial; and $80,000 for miscellaneous expenses. For the sake of these invaluable educational shelters, I am prepared to offer two frill-time staff persons to staff Virrick for an entire budget year. I am also optimistic that the City can be convinced to not only donate the janitorial expense, but also absorb the cost of utilities, leaving minimal remaining expenses. For the other, classical "store-front libraries," (e.g. Lakes of the Meadow), the County can convince the landlord to adopt the facility and waive the rent. Failing that, they can be moved to a shopping center or other commercial facility that will "adopt" the library by providing the storefront space free-of-charge. All that would remain would be to minimally fiind a skeleton crew of personnel, and a small portion of the janitorial and utilities expense. Consider the total cost of keeping the ten storefronts libraries open, assuming two employees at $40,000, with one library staffed from my allocation as a commissioner, that adds Lip to a mere $720,000 in personnel expense (not counting benefits), to which is added minimal miscellaneous expenses such as utilities and janitorial. It is important to note that we are living in an era where public libraries increasingly service communities with Internet access and e-catalogs. These technological advancements have made the need to staff libraries with personnel carrying graduate/masters degrees nearly obsolete. Such electronic services should be expanded, not reduced, using the County IT Department. With a total annual budget of$120 million, IT could easily donate 20 employees, equating to less than 4% of their 540-person workforce, to staff the list of libraries to be closed. Let's think outside the box. By negotiating with out- local municipalities and combining excess resources, we can keep public libraries — arguably our most precious county facilities—not only open, but enhanced to serve our comrnunities. i Granado, Rafael From: Padron,Joanne (DIST7) <joannep @miamidade.gov> Sent: Wednesday, August 07, 2013 11:00 AM To: City Clerk's External Mail Subject: FW:from Commissioner Xavier Suarez Attachments: 20130807105447192.pdf Good morning, We received your August 2, 2013 letter with Resolution opposing library closings. In that regard, please find attached an article written by Commissioner Suarez. i Yours sincerely, Joanne Padron Commission Aide District 7 -----Original Message----- From:Joanne Padron [mailto:ioannep @ miamidade.gov] Sent:Wednesday,August 07, 2013 10:55 AM To: Padron,Joanne (DIST7) Subject: This E-mail was sent from "RicohBOCC2" (Aficio MP 50008). Scan Date:08.07.2013 10:54:46(-0400) Queries to: bccscan @miamidade.gov 1