Model City Branch Library
🏢 Miami-Dade Public Library System · Miami, Florida
Model City Branch Library
At 2211 NW 54th Street in Miami's Liberty City neighborhood, the Model City Branch Library has served residents of one of Miami's most historically significant African American communities since the area developed around the Liberty Square housing project — the first of its kind in the South. Open Tuesday through Saturday, the branch offers a 76-seat meeting room, free Saturday tutoring, matinee movie screenings, and access to the Florida Electronic Library's statewide digital collection.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday | 9:30am–6pm |
| Wednesday | 9:30am–6pm |
| Thursday | 9:30am–6pm |
| 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: 2211 Northwest 54th Street, Miami, FL 33142
Phone: (305) 636-2233
Website: mdpls.org
Plus Code: 76QXRQF8+RH (Miami, FL)
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📖 About Model City Branch Library
The Model City Branch Library is the Miami-Dade Public Library System's branch serving Liberty City and its surrounding neighborhoods in northwestern Miami. The area takes its branch name from the mid-twentieth century designation of the area as a 'model city' urban renewal zone — part of federal efforts to revitalize communities that grew around Liberty Square, the public housing project authorized by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1933 and opened in 1937 as the first of its kind in the American South. Liberty City was home to prominent residents including M. Athalie Range, the first Black person elected to Miami's city commission, and boxer Muhammad Ali, who trained in the neighborhood. Today the branch serves a predominantly African American community, offering a 76-seat meeting room, free Saturday homework help and tutoring (K–12), biweekly matinee movie screenings, monthly Bingo Mania events, mobile printing, and the full Florida Electronic Library digital collection for all cardholders.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Serves Liberty City, the neighborhood that grew around Liberty Square — the first public housing project in the American South, authorized by President Roosevelt in 1933 and opened in 1937
- Named for the 'Model City' federal urban renewal designation that shaped northwestern Miami's mid-20th century development
- 76-seat medium meeting room available for community reservation
- Free Saturday Homework Help & Tutoring Program for grades K–12, 10 a.m.–1 p.m.
- Regular community programming including biweekly matinee movie screenings and monthly Bingo Mania events
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Model City cardholders can read, stream, and research for free through Florida's statewide and MDPLS digital collections:
📚 Services
- Medium meeting room (capacity 76) available for reservation
- Saturday homework help & tutoring program (K–12)
- Mobile printing with document upload from home
- Public computers and free in-branch Wi-Fi
- Autism-friendly and age-friendly library initiatives
- Interlibrary loan via the Miami-Dade Public Library System
- Social Narrative accessibility resources for visitors
🎸 Programs
- Saturday Homework Help & Tutoring Program (grades K–12, 10 a.m.–1 p.m.)
- Biweekly matinee movies — Kids Edition (1st Wednesday) and Adults Edition (3rd Wednesday)
- Monthly Bingo Mania community events
- Children's storytimes and early literacy programs
- Summer reading program
📍 Nearby Libraries in Miami
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Why is this library called 'Model City Branch'?
The name comes from the mid-20th century federal 'Model City' urban renewal program that targeted Liberty City and surrounding northwestern Miami neighborhoods for redevelopment. The area is rooted in Liberty Square, the public housing project opened in 1937 as the first of its kind in the American South, authorized by President Roosevelt in 1933. The 'Model City' designation reflected both the history of the neighborhood and federal ambitions to reshape it.
What community programs does the Model City Branch Library offer?
The branch runs a free Saturday Homework Help & Tutoring Program for grades K–12 (10 a.m.–1 p.m.), biweekly matinee movie screenings (a Kids Edition on the 1st Wednesday and an Adults Edition on the 3rd Wednesday), and monthly Bingo Mania community events. Children's storytimes and the summer reading program are also offered throughout the year.
Does Model City Branch offer passport or notary services?
No. The Model City Branch does not offer U.S. passport acceptance or notary services. Within the Miami-Dade Public Library System, passport services are available at three branches: West Kendall Regional Library (10201 Hammocks Blvd), North Dade Regional Library (2455 NW 183 St), and Naranja Branch Library (14850 SW 280 St).
What are the hours at the Model City Branch Library?
The branch is open Tuesday through Saturday, 9:30 a.m.–6 p.m. It is closed on Monday and Sunday. Unlike some other MDPLS branches, Model City does not have extended evening hours — the 6 p.m. close applies Tuesday through Saturday.
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