Miami-Dade Public Library System – Coral Gables Branch

This is what a library should look and feel like. The staff are extremely friendly. The kids section is separated from the rest of the adult section… which is genius! Lots of tables to do homework on.

A great place with a very good section for children’s books; the audiobook section is great as well.

Check the hours before going — the library system is being underfunded and many libraries are being slated to be closed. Hours for regionals may be reduced down to three days a week and branches to two days a week. Check
to see if they can survived this…

I like this library, even if it isn’t my favorite branch in Dade County.
It’s decent, reasonably clean, and has a fair amount of parking.

Hello. I’m your local library. I’m free. I have a play area. I have 2 pretty decent computers with benches that seat two, so brother and sister can have a whack at it and learn to share. I have ample table and floor space and low lying shelves which kids can just grab books off of willy nilly because they look interesting. As your local library, in which you pay taxes to maintain me, please use me as a tool for your child’s development, not only in learning and reading, but the fundamental understanding of public awareness. And as my predecessing reviewers might think that this a quiet library, yes, but they won’t yell at your kid for getting excited over something every so often. We come here alot, and then we can just as easily cross the street and kick some soccer balls around at the Community Center. This really is a great library.

I am able to quickly find whatever research book I may be looking for. I come here to get away from the noisy city sometimes. Free wifi and a nice ambience. The furniture makes it great, old wooden chairs and desks! Almost makes you feel that you are visiting a historical town with an old library. Overall, great quiet getaway.

I came here today to do research for a paper I have to write, and I just would like to say that the customer service here is exceptional!
I have been out of school for a few years now, and one of the workers here happily taught me how to research books and search for journals online. Thanks to him I was able to find three books I needed to start my paper. I also did not have my library card, and the workers at the front gladly helped me sign up for a new card without any hassles. Unfortunately, I found out today that I owed $ 16 in overdue fees, and since I had no cash on me, they just told me to pay it back next time I visit.
Superb service! Friendly workers! Excellent venue (lots of tables for sitting down and reading). What else could you ask for!
Other highlights of my trip: lots of nearby parking spaces
5 stars all the way!

Beautiul library. great spot to read or study. love this library.

Is it sad that one of the first things I did when I moved back to Miami was apply to get a library card? Is it sadder that I was originally denied? (Damn, no real address!) Once I finally found a place to live, I unpacked and headed to this branch to show them yes, I really DO live in Dade County, thank you very much.
This branch isn’t the nicest in the area, but it gets the job done. The first time I went, I was surprised that it was only one room… but it’s pretty big and is complete with an impressive collection. You can request a book from any other branch in the county and then pick it up here within two or three days (as long as its available). There are a couple of public computers and free WiFi connection if you want to set up camp to study or write the next great American novel. The biggest draw for me is the audiobook selection. There aren’t a TON of options here, but I always just request the ones I want and pick them up later (I’m a sucker for books on tape… is that so wrong?!).
I was under the impression that libraries were slowly becoming obsolete. But each time I go to this location, there are always a lot of people here (it’s still quiet though!). Who knew so many people in Coral Gables like to spend their days among the shelves? Good to know I’m not the only one who still appreciates a good (free!!!) read.

I love this library. I have a 5 year old — so we visit at least 1x a week if not more. The children’s library is great. The children’s library is completely separate from adult — so if my boy starts getting a bit loud, i don’t fret over the whole library hearing.
They have a nice play mat with toys for little ones and two kid-​computers.
There is also a butterfly garden. Really a great library!

I love gathering with friends, colleagues and customers in the coffee shop/​café setting. However, sometimes I need a setting that’s a bit slower and a lot quieter in order to hear myself think. At times like these, you can find me at the Coral Gables Library, where silence really is golden.
Built in 1969, this 28,000 square foot library fuses the characteristics of mid-​century modern design (open spaces with tall ceilings) with old world Mediterranean influences (mahogany doors, wrought-​iron chandeliers, quarry tile). The result is a one-​of-​a-​kind setting like no other in Coral Gables. When you need to focus, this is the place to go.
WiFi is free, parking is free, and checking out books and movies is free. There are plenty of tables with seating for four throughout the library. You can sit alone, bring a friend or share a table with a stranger. Electrical outlets are available on the floor (look for the columns) and walls.

One day when I’m old and gray and have more money than I know what to do with, I’m going to write a check to the Coral Gables Public Library.
In my infinite wisdom, I decided to take a class Monday nights at 9:15pm (I know, what was I thinking??). That left me searching for a quiet place I could go and study between work and my class.
Turns out most Dade County libraries close around 6:00pm… but this branch is open until 9:00pm. And the building is gorgeous… we definitely don’t have any libraries this beautiful up in Broward. The inside is a bit dated, but the space is always extremely quiet, thus very conducive to studying.
There are plenty of tables, reading nooks, and most importantly, power outlets! Even though there are always a good amount of people when I go, I have never had a problem finding a place to camp out for a few hours.
I actually look forward to coming here now! I’m going to miss it next semester… Very jealous of the people who live in the Gables that can call this their local library.

I love the nostalgia this library brings back. Even though I didn’t come to this library as a kid, it has that comforting feeling and smell that only few libraries can match.
Back in the days before I had steady internet at the place I rented, I would come to this library for wifi. I haven’t checked out many books here, but have used their other resources. They have a nice selection of English and Spanish for adults and a very nice area for the children. However, my last visit here with my little sister, the children’s area was obnoxiously loud with a kid who must have been mistaken on whether he was in a library or a basketball court. I thought being quiet in a library was an innate knowledge.
Anyway, I learned a really fun fact this visit: the MD libraries are partnering with museums/​animal attractions and offering passes to «check out» weekly. There are between 5 – 10 sites where you can bring a family of 4 within the week after cheking out the pass at your local library. That means, if you’re one of the lucky people who scores a Zoo Miami pass that week (first come, first serve — get there early on a Monday), you can bring me and save yourself over $ 30 on our tickets! How cool is that?

I’ve always found the Coral Gables Library to be a nice place to study/​get some work done. If you’re like me and work from home, you probably try to change the scene as much as you can so your home doesn’t become your least favorite place.
The staff is knowledgeable and efficient… and yes, its actually a quiet place for a change. The Coral Gables Library also has a very traditional library feel as opposed to many new libraries. The division of the child and adult section helps a lot in keeping this place quiet. Everyone is very courteous.
If you plan on being here a while, I would recommend you get here earlier in the day as parking is limited and fills up quickly. Free WIFI is available. (if you have an iPhone make sure to have cookies enabled!)

this is the best library in the city!
it’s old, quaint, and the only place where i can actually do some studying. seriously, being in this library really makes me use my neurons.
they have a children’s section which is separate from the main section. parking can sometimes be a hassle because the spaces fill up quickly & you might have to park on the grass.
overall, it’s a great library with a great feel. and it’s vewy, vewy quiet!

This is a great library! The selection is a little old, but it is what you would expect from the gables. There is a separate section for kids which is nice. They helped me find the book I was looking for (Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil– for the book club at the Bookstore in the grove)
I browsed for a while longer and found some other books of interest.
When I went to check out my card was in need of renewal, and i owed 5 dollars. I didn’t have anything with my current address on it, and no money… but they gave me a «courtesy override»…Which is why I think the staff is amazing!
Can’t wait to read my book and go back for more!

Shhhhh
This is a very quiet library and while that may seem like something obvious to point out., it’s not. Many libraries now have few designated quiet areas and more space for groups and conversation.
This older and smaller library has one main general room and then a children’s area. So it would be easy to have this one main room quickly become a cell phone ringing, friends chatting, can’t hear yourself think, reminds me of a coffeehouse, room. Instead, they’ve managed to keep this room almost as quiet as a tomb and the appreciative patrons seem set on keeping it that way.
I even felt bad shuffling papers and walking around in click clicky heels (Yes, I was one of those girls in those shoes but just that day. And I promise I’ll wear flats next time)
Overall the location of this library and strict silent areas are what make it a great place to go and get your read on. Additionally, the library has free parking which is a real treat in Coral Gables.

Man I thought this place looked like an old monastery when I first saw it on the outside, it even has the musty smell on the inside. This library has a decent selection of new release books, travel books, etc. The décor is definitely outdated, circa 1970s, I was a bit surprised considering this is Coral Gables. The parking is a bit cramped so you may have to search for a spot, there’s a public park right next to it.
However, this place getes 4 stars because its a REALLY QUIET place to study if you need to do some intensive studying – the library patrons place more priority on maintaining a silent atmosphere which is GOLD since most libraries have more chatty atmospheres due to kids, teens, parents etc.

A pretty nice, old library. It seems to have the air of old-​fashioned grandeur Coral Gables is known for (but on a public and lower scale since this place isn’t exclusive at all).
The great thing with Miami Dade’s libraries are that there’s free wi-​fi. If you’re a resident in the county you can also check out a laptop. And some libraries have interesting classes, like a Yoga class in South Miami’s branch. It seems like many libraries have an Animé club as well.
This library opens late in the night on weekdays, until 9 pm. Most other libraries closes at 6. Oh, and parking is free!