Two Miami-Dade Public Library employees just got some major props on the national stage. Marlon Moore and Jennifer Shipley have snagged top honors for their slick tech skills and drive to keep libraries inclusive for everyone in the community.
Moore, the go-getter behind programs like the Technobus—a roving computer lab—and the Mogul Maker Expo, got the nod from the Library Journal with their 2024 Movers & Shakers Award. This guy’s really tuning into the needs of local small businesses and entrepreneurs, lining up with Mayor Daniella Levine Cava’s STRIVE305 Initiative, as reported by Miami-Dade County news. Shipley’s on the map for getting the Reference and User Services Association’s 2024 ETS Best Emerging Technology Application Award, and a cool 3 grand in prize money, for her work making stories and art more accessible using QR codes for those with vision and hearing disabilities.
These awards aren’t just pat on backs—they’re a big thumbs up to the Miami-Dade County’s libraries for being leaders in innovation. “We are so proud of the exemplary work demonstrated by our County employees,” lauded Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava. “As trusted community spaces, our library system truly sets the bar as they continue to innovate and deliver accessible programming that benefits and enriches the lives of all of our residents,” according to Miami-Dade County official website.
The Library’s Director, Ray Baker, is stoked about the recognition too, saying it celebrates his team’s dedication to making the place where knowledge lives work for everyone. The cash prize that came with Shipley’s award is going straight back into funding more of these forward-thinking library programs. So it’s not just a win-win, but a win-win-win for the librarians, the residents, and those all-important library services, as Baker stated with a clear nod to the local commitment to innovation.
With these two new additions to its trophy case, the Miami-Dade Public Library System isn’t just checking out books, but checking out major recognition—from stacking up National Association of Counties Awards to getting props as Library of the Year in 2024. And with its latest achievements, it’s only bookmarking its spot further as a pivotal chapter in the community.
