The Miami-Dade Public Library System has announced that Gia Arbogast has been appointed as the new director for the Library Department.
Arbogast brings to this position more than 20 years of administrative and operational experience. Her trajectory in the Miami-Dade Public Library System provides her with a solid platform to address the rapidly changing trends in library service.
Arbogast’s previous experience includes management of front-line service, coordination of training and programming services and overall management of the library system. As the assistant director in charge of Programming and Community Engagement, she developed and implemented successful and innovative programs such as YOUmedia Miami — a program which builds on the role libraries play as places of innovation and exploration and teaches teens to use technology as a way to tell their stories and engage with the world around them in pow- erful and new ways.
Arbogast created the first ever Writer in Residence Program for Young Adults and was instrumental in creating the Library’s Reading Ready literacy initiative for children 0-5 years of age.
Most recently, as interim director for the library, Arbogast spearheaded the development and execution of the library’s signature event — Storytelling Miami. She is responsible for system-wide programs such as Summer Reading, Teen Read Week and the Bookmark Contest. She also manages all outreach services which include mobile libraries, Talking Books, Connections, Library Service for the Homebound, Jump Start and Project LEAD (Literacy for Every Adult in Dade). She also leads all internal and external communications as well as the library’s website and social media presence.
Arbogast is a University of Miami graduate and received a master’s degree in Library Science from Florida State University in 1986. She is an active member of the American Library Association, the Public Library Association and the Association for Library Service to Children. She currently is an at-large board committee member of the Southeast Florida Library Information Network and previously served in the organization’s Legislative Advocacy Committee.
“I am very excited to lead the Miami- Dade Public Library System into becoming a 21st Century library and ensuring that it meets the needs of this diverse community,” Arbogast said.
For more information, visit online at www.mdpls.org.
