Hispanic Branch Library (MDPLS)
🏢 Miami-Dade Public Library System · Miami, Florida
Hispanic Branch Library (MDPLS)
The Miami-Dade Public Library System's Hispanic Branch at 1398 SW 1st Street opened on October 18, 2010, in the heart of Little Havana. The 12,000-square-foot branch was designed with this bilingual community in mind — offering citizenship preparation classes, bilingual programming in English and Spanish, Museum Passes to 25 area cultural institutions, and an active partnership with Pérez Art Museum Miami.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday | 9:30am–8pm |
| Wednesday | 9:30am–8pm |
| Thursday | 9:30am–8pm |
| Friday | 9:30am–6pm |
| Saturday | 9:30am–6pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 1398 Southwest 1st Street, Miami, FL 33135
Phone: (305) 643-8574
Website: mdpls.org
Plus Code: 76QXQQCJ+VX (Miami, FL)
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📖 About Hispanic Branch Library (MDPLS)
The MDPLS Hispanic Branch Library opened on October 18, 2010, bringing 12,000 square feet of purpose-built library space to Little Havana, Miami's historically Cuban-American neighborhood along Calle Ocho (SW 8th Street). The branch was designed to serve the area's Spanish-speaking community with expanded public computers, a larger meeting room than its predecessor, bilingual collections and programming delivered in both English and Spanish. It offers weekly citizenship preparation classes, computer skills workshops, health education programs, children's arts and crafts, and a long-running partnership with Pérez Art Museum Miami that brings arts programming directly into the branch. Museum Passes for family admission to 25 Miami-Dade cultural institutions are available for checkout. The branch also maintains the MDPLS social narrative document — a preparation guide for first-time visitors — reflecting a strong commitment to accessibility and community belonging.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Opened October 18, 2010 in the heart of Little Havana — 12,000 sq ft with expanded computers and a larger community meeting room
- Bilingual programming in English and Spanish, reflecting the neighborhood's predominantly Cuban-American heritage
- Weekly citizenship preparation classes to guide community members through the naturalization process
- Ongoing partnership with Pérez Art Museum Miami bringing cultural arts programming to the branch
- Museum Pass program: check out passes for free family admission (up to 4) to 25 Miami-Dade cultural institutions
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Hispanic Branch cardholders access the full MDPLS digital collection — eBooks, streaming music, films and Florida's statewide databases:
📚 Services
- Museum Pass program — free family admission (up to 4) to 25 Miami-Dade cultural institutions, first-come first-served checkout
- Bilingual collections in English and Spanish
- Public computers (expanded capacity compared to prior facility) and mobile printing
- Free in-building Wi-Fi
- Community meeting room accommodating up to 50 people
- Social narrative document available to help first-time visitors prepare for their library visit
- Reference and reader's advisory in English and Spanish
🎸 Programs
- Weekly citizenship preparation classes (in Spanish) — guides residents through U.S. naturalization requirements
- Computer skills and technology training sessions
- Health screenings and health education programs
- Arts and crafts workshops for children and adults (in partnership with Pérez Art Museum Miami)
- Children's storytimes and youth programming in English and Spanish
- Community events and cultural celebrations
- Adult literacy and English-language learning programs
📍 Nearby MDPLS Branches in Miami-Dade
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
When did the MDPLS Hispanic Branch Library open, and why was it built?
The Hispanic Branch Library opened on October 18, 2010, in Miami's Little Havana neighborhood. The 12,000-square-foot facility was built to provide the area's predominantly Spanish-speaking community with expanded public computers, a larger meeting room, bilingual collections and community-focused programming in English and Spanish — including citizenship preparation classes and arts partnerships with Pérez Art Museum Miami.
Does the Hispanic Branch offer citizenship preparation classes?
Yes. The branch offers weekly citizenship preparation classes conducted in Spanish to help community members navigate the U.S. naturalization process. These classes cover civics knowledge, the application process and interview preparation. They are free and open to library cardholders and community members.
What is the Museum Pass program at this branch?
Through the MDPLS Museum Pass program, library cardholders can check out a pass that admits a family of up to four people free to participating institutions. The 25 venues include Vizcaya Museum & Gardens, Perez Art Museum Miami, Zoo Miami, The Wolfsonian, Miami Children's Museum, Phillip & Patricia Frost Museum of Science, The Bass, Jungle Island, Deering Estate and more. Passes are available first-come, first-served at the branch and cannot be reserved in advance.
Is the Hispanic Branch Library open on Sundays or Mondays?
The Hispanic Branch is open Tuesday through Saturday. It is open Tuesday through Thursday from 9:30 am to 8:00 pm, and Friday and Saturday from 9:30 am to 6:00 pm. The branch is closed on both Sunday and Monday. Check mdpls.org for any holiday closures.
🎨 This library lends museum passes. See how library museum passes work and find other libraries that lend passes museum passes by state.
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