Written by Kerren Dieuveille
Last week was National Library Week! According to the American Library Association, National Library Week is an annual celebration highlighting the valuable role libraries, librarians, and library workers play in transforming lives and strengthening our communities. To honor this celebration, I sat down with Paul Bazile, Library Director of the North Miami Public Library, to discuss his career path, the library’s physical and digital resources, and the history of the North Miami Public Library.
Pictured: Paul Bazile, Library Director
1. What was your first job working in a library?
In 2014, Mr. Bazile began his librarian career as a Library Aide 1 at the North Miami Public Library. He was responsible for processing the materials such as checking in and checking out books, applying spine labels to newly received books, repairing damage to books using specialized tools, and working at the front desk.
2. When did you first know you wanted to become a librarian?
Mr. Bazile never really knew he wanted to become a librarian until the opportunity arose for him to advance his career as one. After working at the library for six years, he began to realize that his aspirational career path of public service through becoming a member of law enforcement or an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) slowly became less appealing as he began to fall in love with the public service he was doing in his community through his work as a library staff member. Following several promotions the next step in his career path could only be accessed if he became a librarian by obtaining a Master of Library and Information Science degree and interviewing for his current position within the library.
3. What was your career path to becoming the current Library Director at the North Miami Public Library?
In total, it took about eight years for Mr. Bazile to become a Library Director. This included six years of experience in almost every position at the library along with networking within his field. On top of this, a mandatory requirement for his position was a Masters of Library and Information Science degree along with having held the position of librarian for a minimum of 2 years.
4. What is some of the history behind the North Miami Public Library?
The North Miami Public Library was initially established as a library by the Biscayne Park Women’s Club in North Miami in 1932 and steadily grew over time. In 2014, the library went through a major $1.5 million renovation project that upgraded and renovated the building’s interior. Throughout its history, the library has been and continues to be a pivotal community center for the city.
5. What services and resources are offered by the library including those that may be lesser known resources?
Mr. Bazile then went on to list some of the resources offered by the North Miami Public Library for patrons belonging to different age groups which include the following:
- Children
- An After School Program in collaboration with a nonprofit
- Sing and Read!: A musical storytime activity for children
- Book Buddies: A program where children read and talk about books with their peers
- Teacher’s Planning Day Field Trips for children of varying ages
- Teens
- College Tours
- Teacher’s Planning Day Field Trips for children of varying ages
- Adults
- AARP Free Tax Preparation
- ESOL Classes
- Basic & Advanced Computer Classes
- Yoga Classes
6. How interconnected are the Miami-Dade County Public Library Systems?
A little-known fact is that the North Miami Public Library is a city library meaning it is owned and operated by the City of North Miami and runs independently of the Miami-Dade Public Library Systems (MDPLS).
7. What are some of the community outreach programs offered by the library?
The library usually offers an educational component for commemorative months. This past Black History Month the library held a College Resource Fair in the parking lot with food vendors and a Talent Show with cash prizes. Library visitors can look forward to the Family Fun Day and Book Fair being held on July 20th which will include food vendors, fun, and even a pony the patrons can pet.
8. What are some resources/community programs you hope to bring to the library in the future?
A couple of resources Mr. Bazile hopes to eventually bring back to the library are Career Online High School, which would allow patrons who were unable to get their high school diploma in the past to get their GED online at their own pace in the library, and free printing up to 10 pages for patrons.
9. Is there anything else you wish to share during this interview?
“Be the change!”
Behind the Quote: Mr. Bazile never imagined himself becoming a librarian, especially considering he never was an academically focused student back in high school, but now as a Library Director he can make changes within his community every day through the work of himself and his colleagues while also showing young people that the librarians of today don’t necessarily fit the librarian stereotype.
Pictured: Paul Bazile and Kerren Dieuveille
A big thank you to Paul Bazile for taking the time to be interviewed. I encourage our readers to head to their local library and check out some of the resources and community outreach programs offered to them all year long.