Students in The Allapattah Community Fellows Program recently found out that the Allapattah Public Library will not exist for much longer. 

 

The library sits on public land – which is land owned by the city’s residents (that’s you and me) and managed by the City of Miami. The library is operated and maintained by the Miami-Dade County Library system, which also rented the land from the City of Miami and in 2019 led a major renovation of the library building. However, on September 24, 2020, the city canceled its agreement with Miami-Dade County and instead gave the land lease to another entity to develop the land into affordable and workforce housing apartments.

 

As Miami Jackson Senior High Students, the Allapattah Library has become a fundamental part of their education.

 

“Many of us have made friends with the librarian, worked on projects at the last minute, used their WiFi during instances in which we did not have our own at home, and, most importantly, we made memories in a safe space where we were welcomed,” said Allapattah Community Fellow Fernando Saldago. “As Miami Jackson students, we are aware that many of us are not as well-equipped. Therefore, using public spaces for our education has become crucial to our academic success.”

 

The fact that the Allapattah Library is available to them has unmistakably contributed to their education. 

 

“We need public libraries and public spaces to reduce the disparities that have worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Saldago.