On Saturday, November 7, more than 400 library lovers filled the Coral Gables Branch Library for Late at the Library: Growing Library Joy, presented by Slaven and Leila Zivkovic. Together, we raised $415,000 for the Miami-Dade Public Library System, surpassing our $350,000 goal. That support will help keep tutoring, mobile device lending, storytime and more free for every family. We were proud to honor Mychal Threets with the 2026 Marjory Stoneman Douglas Award, and grateful to every sponsor, volunteer and guest who made the night possible.
Marjory Stoneman Douglas Award
The Marjory Stoneman Douglas Award
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
2026: Mychal Threets
The Friends were proud to present Mychal Threets with the 2026 Marjory Stoneman Douglas Award for his extraordinary contributions to literacy, library access, and the joy of reading. Known as “the Internet’s librarian,” Threets grew up in the libraries of Solano County, California, where he rose from shelving books to become a supervising librarian. His celebrations of the everyday magic of libraries have reached millions of people, earning him a place among TIME’s 100 most influential creators. The author of the national bestseller I’m So Happy You’re Here, he has traveled the country advocating for library funding and access to books, and has spoken openly about mental health so that others feel less alone, reminding us all that the library is for everyone.
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 and co-founder of the Miami Book Fair International. Kaplan 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.