The Miami‑Dade Public Library System and the Miami‑Dade County Internal Services Department proudly announce the grand opening of the Northeast Dade - Aventura Branch Library

(Miami, FL – August 13, 2015) The Miami‑Dade Public Library System (MDPLS) and the Miami‑Dade County Internal Services Department are proud to announce the grand opening of the Northeast Dade - Aventura Public Library located at 2930 Aventura Blvd. Miami, Florida on Tuesday, August 18, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. The Library will be open to the public immediately after the ribbon cutting ceremony.

The former Library was extensively damaged in 2005 by Hurricane Wilma, and as part of the Library Capital Expansion Plan, it has been redeveloped with a focus on green building principles. The County is expected to achieve LEED “Gold” Certification and includes eco‑friendly construction and sustainable materials.

"This is a great day for Aventura. This vibrant community is finally getting the library it deserves,” said Miami‑Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez. “This new state‑of‑the‑art Library is a modern hub of learning and recreation. It is an effort that has involved many different partners, and it took all of us, working together, to make it happen.”

The Library’s director, Ms. Gia Arbogast states that, “I am very excited about the opening of this long‑awaited state‑of‑the‑art 21^st century Library and ensuring that it meets the needs of this diverse community.” The Library includes a rainwater harvesting tank for irrigation, native landscaping and three dedicated spaces to fuel‑efficient vehicles. Bicycle racks are located near the building entrance and connected to the public right‑of‑way by means of the site’s pathway system.

The one‑story concrete and steel 26,482 square foot building is composed of open areas for adults, young adults and children. There are two courtyards, a covered open terrace, a new permanent public art installation by artist Ivan Toth Depeña provided by Miami‑Dade Arts in Public Places and a retention pond featuring native aquatic plants. The Library features an auditorium with a 100‑seat capacity and two conference rooms equipped for screen presentations using your own mobile device. There are four large display screens throughout the building to provide customers with Library information on special events, workshops, classes and services.

The Library houses more than 22,000 shelved books and more than 8,500 audio visual materials including DVDs, CDs and audiobooks.

“Internal Services Department (ISD) is very proud of this beautiful facility and the talented team of ISD architects and engineers who designed it to be the first green public library in our community,” said Tara Smith, Director.

Library customers will be able to print from their wireless devices through the branch Library’s public access to wireless printers. This wireless access will extend to the exterior of the Library so that customers can access the Internet while sitting in different areas including the exterior spaces. Additionally, the Library will provide a mix of desktop computers combining iMacs, Surface Pro3 tablets and gaming computers geared for teens. The facility has an extensive sound system throughout that can be configured to play different music, announcements and soundtracks to distinct areas of the Library including two interior courtyards.

The $15 million project was funded in collaboration with the Miami‑Dade Library Taxing District and the Building Better Communities Bond Program.

The Northeast Dade - Aventura Library’s new home has been carefully designed by Agustín Lugones from the ISD Design and Construction Services Division in collaboration with MDPLS to ensure the highest level of service possible to Miami‑Dade customers.