Miami-dade county public schools (m-dcps) will expand the capacity of its library professionals to deliver high-quality, standards-aligned library programs to its 230,000 students

The Institute of Museum and Library Services awarded the School Board of Miami-Dade County $215,000 on September 1, 2026, under the Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program (CFDA 45.313) to expand the capacity of library professionals serving Miami-Dade County Public Schools' 230,000 students across 323 school libraries.

The award funds a community-centered implementation project that trains a cohort of 50 library media specialists through a structured summer institute. The training addresses gaps between current certification of educational media specialists and their sometimes-limited library experience, equipping participants to build vibrant library programs and train future cohorts districtwide. Intended outcomes include districtwide adoption of a library evaluation framework, measurable improvement in library programs, and a replicable peer-training model that strengthens student achievement across the district.

Performance occurs in Miami, Florida. The period of performance runs from September 1, 2026, through August 31, 2027. The Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program supports projects that provide training and professional development to library and archives professionals, develop faculty and information leaders, and recruit, educate, and retain the next generation of library and archives professionals to meet community information needs and build institutional capacity.

This community-centered implementation project will address the GAP between current certification of educational media specialists and their sometimes-limited library experience. To improve their ability to provide high-level library programming across 323 school libraries, m-dcps will train a cohort of 50 library media specialists through a structured summer institute. The training will equip participants to build vibrant library programs and train future cohorts districtwide. The intended results include districtwide adoption of a library evaluation framework, measurable improvement in library programs, and a replicable peer-training model that strengthens student achievement across m-dcps.