Finding the Future
Fiscal Year 2022 Annual ReportThe Cybrarium was promoted with the tagline “Finding the Future” to inspire our community to imagine what a new innovative library could bring in the form of exciting spaces, services, programs, and collections. The Cybrarium’s first year sought to make that dream a reality.
Visits
Cardholders
Open Hours
Physical Items
During its first year emphasis was placed on children, teen, and family services.
Young children who are exposed to certain early language and literacy experiences also prove to be good readers later on in life.
-National Research Council
Technology also played a key role: throughout the building, new interactive screens and a video game station were introduced to further inspire the community to engage with gadgets while having fun.
Collections were enhanced with board games, video games, and STEAM kits.
Top Board Games |
| 1. Ticket to Ride |
| 2. Pandemic |
| 3. Dungeons & Dragons: Wrath of Ashardalon |
Top Video Games |
|
1. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild |
| 2. Kaze and the Wild Masks |
| 3. Yoshi’s Crafted World |
Top STEAM Kits |
| 1. Florida Plants and Animals |
| 2. Engineering |
| 3. Microscope |
The Cybrarium’s services will only improve over time as we work to align with the needs of the community. There is still much more for patrons to find in the Homestead Cybrarium!
Read on to learn how we worked with the community to build a future together.
Rino Landa, Cybrarium Director
Community
Finding Friends at the CybrariumI have never been to a public library like this before! I wish I had a place like this to go to as a kid!
-Alexandra D.
More than a space, the Cybrarium aimed to be the heart of the community where all would feel welcome. Library programs – events, classes, exhibits, and workshops – offered new experiences and opportunities to learn, have fun, and gain new skills.
Total Programs
Program Attendance
Volunteer Hours
The Cybrarium is a “third place,” a community center where people gather outside of their homes or workplaces.
A third place is a location where “we exchange ideas, have a good time, and build relationships.”
What an amazing place! Heard about it from a friend. My kids begged to go so we headed over.
-Johan C.
The diversity of Homestead and South Dade was reflected in all aspects of programs, collections, and services. Spanish-language and bilingual resources were a priority.
Spanish Titles
Spanish Title Checkouts
Children's Spanish Title Checkouts
Diverse Books Were Popular
ENGAGEMENT
FINDING FUN AT THE CYBRARIUMThat’s it. I have officially found my new chilling spot for me and my boys! What better place to have my boys in than a library and they actually enjoy it!
-Ashley P.
A visit to the Cybrarium offered fun and excitement for all ages. New technologies, age-appropriate programs, and a makerspace aimed to engage and inspire patrons to explore interests and hobbies.
Visits to a Virtual World
Minutes in VR
VR Experiences
By blending VR with creative library programs the Cybrarium motivated kids and teens to explore new academic interests.
The School of Education found that the “benefits of virtual reality in education include the ability to inspire students’ creativity and spark their imaginations.”
The Cybrarium continues to be the only public library to offer dedicated virtual reality stations as a prominent and on-demand service.
Traditional library programs, such as storytimes, brought books to life through song, dance, art, and play for the youngest Cybrarium patrons.
The Tiny Tots and Lil’ Learners programs made reading fun for toddlers and preschool children, while parents and/or caretakers learned to model positive early literacy behaviors.
We love our Cybrarium! Especially story time on Fridays with Ms. Patty. We made some great mommy friends there.
-Katherine M.
Teens and young adults met friends and made new ones during Cybrarium programs designed to encourage safe socializing and interpersonal skill development.
Anime Club, Board Game Nights, and Video Game Club let teens have fun while sharing common interests.
Teens took on leading roles as part of the Teen Advisory Board (TAB) where they worked with staff to plan future programs and offer suggestions for new library services.
Teen programs have a “unique ability to tap into the soul of a young person’s passion releasing them to rise up in the world as resourceful, respected, and interdependent producers.”
Serving Teen CoCultures
Adults and seniors also found programs for them at the Cybrarium. Whether visiting with family, or on their own, they enjoyed enriching lifelong learning opportunities.
From sewing to painting and everything in between, makerspace workshops offered adults a chance to try out new equipment, make new friends, and take home handmade creations to keep as mementos or give away to friends and family.
Hobbies give you a way to take your mind off the stresses of everyday life.
University of Arkansas
LEARNING
FINDING Information AT THE CYBRARIUMThis library is every book-loving kid’s dream. The atmosphere is calm and the staff is friendly and attentive. Definitely recommend it for your next study session and/or your next reading hour.
-Norma N.
As Homestead’s public library the Cybrarium worked to make information accessible and learning fun for all.
Physical Checkouts
Digital Downloads
Questions Answered
Whether it was a physical book or a digital eBook, Cybrarium staff worked to ensure a diverse collection was available for Homestead.
More than just a library this is a fantastic place to expand your kids’ learning experiences! We were able to get loaned out to us a tablet and a STEM learning project to code a robot ball for kids.
-Derek K.
STEAM programs targeted children ages 6-12. Popular activities included making slime, crafting birdhouses, experimenting with dry ice, and coding computer games.
Bridging the digital divide through access to computers, Wi-Fi, and technology classes were also important to Cybrarium programs and services.
Website Visits
Computer Sessions
Wireless Sessions
Digital literacy refers to someone’s ability to use IT and digital technology to find, evaluate, create and communicate information.
– Rasmussen University
Cybrarium programs aimed to inspire an interest in STEM fields and bridge the digital divide by engaging youth with technology as a fun activity.
Preventing the “Summer Slide” was another crucial goal of the Cybrarium. The yearly Summer Reading Program aimed to encourage reading through fun programs and prizes for all ages.
Readers
- Children: 40,585 Minutes Read
- Adults: 25,529 Minutes Read
- Teens: 11,035 Minutes Read
- Early Readers: 5,583 Minutes Read
Participating in voluntary summer reading opportunities, along with increasing the likelihood of higher reading achievement, can also result in improved reading skills, motivation, confidence, and enjoyment
– Dominican University
Schools of all types, after-school programs, summer camps, and daycares all visited the Cybrarium for field trips.
Outside organizations and partnerships allowed the Cybrarium to bring in expertise and resources to further enhance the programs and services available to the community.
Featured Community Partners
- The Homestead Community Redevelopment Agency
- Seminole Theater
- City of Homestead Police Department
- City of Homestead Parks & Recreation
- The Fruit and Spice Park
- The Children’s Trust
- Historic Homestead Town Hall Museum
- Miami-Dade Public Library System
- Florida International University
- Miami Dade College – Homestead Campus
- South Dade Senior High School
- Homestead Senior High School
- Lamplighters
- Pillow Talks Inc.
- Le Jardin Community Centers
- Miami-Dade Fire Department
- Fantasy Theatre Factory
- South Dade Chamber of Commerce
- Laura Saunders Elementary
- Homestead Center for the Arts
CITY OF HOMESTEAD
CITY COUNCIL
Steven D. Losner
Mayor
Erica G. Avila
Councilwoman
Sean T. Fletcher
Councilman
Jennifer N. Bailey
Councilwoman
Julio Guzman
Vice Mayor
Patricia D. Fairclough-Staggers
Councilwoman
Larry Roth
Councilman
CITY MANAGER’S OFFICE
Jerry Estrada, MPA
City Manager
Zackery Good
Assistant City Manager
Vivian Mañach
Assistant City Manager
The Cybrarium is operated by Library Systems & Services LLC
