The latest Pew research shows that the Hispanic population “are less likely than other Americans to have ever visited a U.S. public library.” The gap is even wider when you compare between foreign–born Hispanics and U.S.-born Hispanics. With 1.6 million Hispanics in the Miami-Dade area, representing a vast cultural landscape, the Miami-Dade Public Library System was poised to provide that social equity and be the common anchor of these communities.

Noches Culturales builds on partnerships with consulates, community members and local area businesses from the host country to educate and open up healthy dialogue with all segments of the community. Through music, dance and art, it brings a deeper understanding of each community’s adversities and successes and ultimately builds a stronger community. The library’s cultural program brings in library users, potential users and immigrant populations and introduces them to the library’s programs and services.

Since October 2016, over 2,000 residents have participated in the five community-building events. There has been an increase in the number of immigrant families that are actively using the library as well as an increase in the use of the online services and library card sign-ups. Most significant is the program’s ability to form community partnerships, provide social equity, offer cross-cultural opportunities and establish the library as an inclusive community anchor.