Join us for Late at the Library: Growing Library Joy, the Friends of the Miami-Dade Public Library’s signature benefit celebrating 52 years of championing literacy, access, and community connection. Taking place at the Coral Gables Branch Library on November 7, 2026 at 7:30pm, this special evening brings together lifelong learners, civic leaders, philanthropists, and business executives for an unforgettable night of food, refreshments, conversation, a silent auction, and inspiring guests.
Your support helps fund vital library programs that serve 3.4 million annual visitors across 50 branches - including free tutoring, summer reading initiatives, workforce support, and inclusive community services. Whether you attend, sponsor, or simply learn more, you’re part of a community that believes in the power of libraries to inform, inspire, and connect us all.
Marjory Stoneman Douglas Award
The Marjory Stoneman Douglas Award
Marjory Stoneman Douglas (1890–1998) is remembered as one of South Florida’s most influential voices - an author, journalist, and environmentalist whose work shaped the cultural and ecological identity of the region. Best known for her groundbreaking 1947 book The Everglades: River of Grass, she transformed public perception of the Everglades from a swamp into a national treasure worth protecting.
Beyond her environmental advocacy, Douglas was deeply committed to the written word and the power of information. She was a founding member of the Friends of the Miami-Dade Public Library, worked as a journalist for The Miami Herald, wrote fiction and nonfiction for national publications, and used her voice to champion civic responsibility, access to knowledge, and the preservation of South Florida’s natural and cultural heritage.
The Marjory Stoneman Douglas Award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to literacy and libraries at the local, state, or national level and that have:
- Championed literacy through innovative programs or partnerships;
- Advocated for library funding and equitable access to information;
- Contributed time, resources, or expertise to enhance library services and community outreach; and
- Inspired a culture of reading and lifelong learning throughout Miami-Dade County
Naming this award in Marjory Stoneman Douglas' honor is in celebration of enduring legacies as an advocate for South Florida and the belief in the transformative role of reading, writing, and access to knowledge in shaping strong, informed communities.
Award Recipients
2025: Mitch Kaplan
The Friends is proud to present Mitch Kaplan with the inaugural Marjory Stoneman Douglas Award for his extraordinary contributions to literacy, literature, and community engagement in Miami-Dade County.
As the founder of Books & Books, Kaplan nurtured a bookstore that grew into a thriving cultural anchor - expanding across the region, hosting hundreds of literary events each year, and serving as a gathering place for readers and writers alike. As co-founder of the Miami Book Fair International, he helped launch what is now the nation’s largest community-focused literary festival, drawing authors and readers from around the world and fostering a culture of access, diversity, and intellectual curiosity.
Through his innovation, advocacy, and unwavering passion for the written word, Mitch Kaplan has uplifted Miami’s literary life, making his selection as the inaugural honoree a fitting tribute to a true champion of literacy and libraries.
