‘Save JFK Library’: Hialeah residents rally against $8 million museum plan

Hours before the Hialeah City Council is set to make a final decision on an $8 million proposal to renovate the John F. Kennedy Memorial Library, residents are organizing against a plan they fear could permanently change one of the city’s historic public institutions.

Read more Dolphins’ Hafley addresses injuries, potential changes, Willis’ play, other issues

A Change.org petition called “Save Hialeah’s John F. Kennedy Library” is urging the city not to reduce the library’s space and services to make room for a proposed museum. The digital campaign identifies Mayor Bryan Calvo and members of the Hialeah City Council as the decision makers responsible for determining the library’s fate.

“We believe the future of Hialeah’s history and the future of its public library should not have to compete for the same space. A museum is a great idea, but not at the expense of this vital institution,” the petition says. “We are asking the City of Hialeah to preserve the JFK as a full-service public library, protect its collection and staffing, and involve the community in any proposed changes to this historic 1965 building.”

The Miami Herald attempted to reach the group behind the petition but did not receive a response.

The Herald asked City Council members for comment on the proposal, but none agreed to speak. During the first budget hearing, however, Councilwoman Gelien Perez said she wanted to make sure the renovated facility continues to serve the children and families who rely on the library for basic services, something that remains unclear under the current proposal.

Perez recalled using the library to complete school projects while growing up because her family could not afford a computer at home.

“I just want to make sure we still offer for the kids to go and do their homework,” Perez said.

Councilwoman Monica Perez said she liked the idea of creating a museum in part of the library and supported elements of the proposed renovation, including a cafeteria. But she raised a logistical question about the JFK Library’s use as an early voting site, asking whether the construction and the building’s new configuration would require the city to find another location for early voting.

The petition follows two Herald stories about the city’s proposal, included in the 2027 budget, to invest $8 million in renovating the library and adding a museum. The proposal comes from Calvo’s administration, but the city has not provided the council nor the media with a detailed blueprint showing how the project would affect the existing library.

The Herald, however, has learned some of the ideas being considered for the museum.

Jose Torres, Calvo’s chief of staff, confirmed last week that the current concept calls for creating the museum in the center of the library’s first floor, potentially displaying antique cars owned by the city, as well as photographs and paintings. Torres also told the Herald that the city arrived at the $8 million figure based on the building’s square footage and what other municipalities have spent on renovations.

Under the proposal, the library would be relocated to the building’s second floor, which is currently a mezzanine and is about one third the size of the main floor.

The exterior could also be redesigned, including replacing the existing concrete walls with glass and adding lighting. Some of the building’s 22 existing murals could be removed as part of the changes, potentially including one depicting Don Quixote.

Calvo said last week in a post on his Instagram official profile that he plans to add a new coffee shop as part of renovations intended to modernize the library and create a better experience for residents. But he did not disclose in that post that the project would combine the JFK library with a museum, the aspect of the proposal that has raised concern among some residents.

READ MORE: Cars, murals, layoffs: What Hialeah’s museum plan could mean for the JFK library

Read more Police: After beating elderly couple in Ormond, suspect shoots cop

The petition says the JFK Library houses Hialeah’s growing History Collection, preserving the stories and records of the city and making them available to students, researchers and residents.

“Now, the city is proposing an $8 million transformation of the JFK Library into a combined museum and library. Current plans would move the library to the building’s smaller mezzanine area. This would gut the collection and services,” the petition says.

The Herald has also reported that all 18 part-time positions in Hialeah’s library system are being eliminated effective Oct. 1, a fact confirmed last week by Torres. The positions are being eliminated across the city’s library system, not only at JFK. The city has said employees can apply for other city jobs, but there is no guarantee they will be transferred.

The Change.org petition says the library system serves more than 82,000 residents and recorded 227,579 visits last year. It describes JFK as the city’s main library and a community hub providing books and digital resources, computers, Wi-Fi, study rooms, educational programs, English and citizenship classes, immigration assistance and passport services.

More than 380 people had signed the petition as of Monday afternoon, and 11 people, identified only by first names, had posted comments.

The Herald asked Calvo for comment on the concerns raised in the petition, but he did not respond.

“A library is a sanctuary!!!” wrote one petition signer identified only as Idania.

Walter, another person who signed the petition, said he remembers growing up in Hialeah when the JFK Library opened in 1965. Before then, he said, he had to travel to the City of Miami library at Bayfront Park to find books for schoolwork.

“Like any good library, Hialeah Library has morphed and changed with the times,” Walter said. “If it’s reduced to being a museum, its usefulness will drop to zero.”

Rafael, another resident who commented on the petition, said the library should not become a political space.

“This is a space still heavily used by the community, young and old,” he said. “There’s no need to spend $8 million dollars here when Hialeah’s infrastructure is crumbling, especially the parks!”

Annenrys said she is deeply concerned that the transformation would reduce the space and services available at the JFK Library.

“For me, the library is a place of learning, culture, reading, and community engagement. I do not want to lose the books, activities, study areas, and services that are part of our daily lives,” shes said. “I ask that the JFK Library be preserved and that the voices of its users be heard before a decision is made that will directly affect us.”

The petition says the city needs to pay attention to JFK’s users: “Please listen to the people who use this library every day.”

Read more Lockheed wins US Army missile contract worth up to $1.2 billion