HIALEAH — Hours before the Hialeah City Council is expected to decide on an $8 million renovation proposal for the John F. Kennedy Memorial Library, a growing group of residents is urging officials to preserve the library’s full services and footprint rather than convert parts of it into a museum.
Community organizes against reduced library space
A Change.org petition titled “Save Hialeah’s John F. Kennedy Library” argues the city should not force the library to "compete for the same space" with a proposed museum. The petition singles out Mayor Bryan Calvo and members of the Hialeah City Council as the decision-makers responsible for the library’s future and calls on the city 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."
Organizers behind the petition did not respond to requests for comment as of publication. City Council members declined on the record to speak with reporters about the proposal when contacted by The Miami Herald.
Council members voice concerns and questions
During the first budget hearing on the proposal, Councilwoman Gelien Perez emphasized the library’s role as a resource for children and families who rely on access to computers and quiet space for schoolwork.
“I just want to make sure we still offer for the kids to go and do their homework,”
Perez said she used the library herself while growing up because her family could not afford a computer at home, underscoring the institution’s ongoing role as an essential public service.
Councilwoman Monica Perez expressed support for parts of the renovation — including a proposed cafeteria — and said she liked the idea of creating a museum in part of the building. But she raised practical questions about the library’s current role as an early voting site and whether construction or a new layout would affect that use.
What’s at stake for Hialeah residents
The debate over the proposal centers on balancing historic preservation, public services and new cultural offerings inside a single building. The John F. Kennedy Memorial Library, dating from 1965, functions both as a neighborhood library and as an early voting location during elections. Any change to its configuration could affect:
- Access to public computers and study space for students and families;
- Availability of the building as an early voting site during election cycles;
- Staffing levels and the library’s collection if footprint is reduced.
Budget and timeline points
The city council is weighing a plan that involves an overall investment of $8 million for renovations. Details presented so far include museum space and amenities such as a cafeteria, but city officials have yet to clarify how much existing library space would be repurposed and what service-level impacts might follow.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Proposed renovation | $8 million |
| Library building | John F. Kennedy Memorial Library (1965) |
Next steps and community involvement
The City Council’s vote will determine whether the renovation moves forward as proposed, is modified to preserve library services, or is delayed pending further community input. Petition organizers and some council members have called for clearer assurances that the library’s service levels — especially for children and families who depend on its resources — will be maintained.
For residents who rely on the JFK Library as a place to study, access technology or cast a ballot, the council’s decision carries immediate consequences. If the proposal advances without specific guarantees about space allocation, staffing and voting-site continuity, advocates say the building’s traditional role could be permanently altered.
As the council prepares to act, residents and stakeholders in Hialeah will be watching not only for the outcome but for whether city leaders will involve the community in shaping any final plan for this longstanding public institution.
