Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida Community Library
Everglades, Florida
Leaving Houston behind, my boyfriend, my cat and I drove east across the swamp lands of Louisiana, past the Civil War battlefields of Mississippi, through the Antebellum streets of Alabama, and into the land of the gators and everglades of Florida. Through it all, I am happy to say, libraries followed us and welcomed us along the way.
I worked in a large library, with various departments and numerous librarians working in each one. We had hundreds of dollars given to us through the county budget and through the Friends’ donations. However, I understand not all libraries are as lucky. Many libraries are staffed with as many as five workers and only one head librarian, and their budgets are barely scraped together. Libraries and librarians have to be creative to establish the environment they wish to promote.
While driving through the Everglades National Park, we came across The Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida. Their community is located close to Miami and in the upper portion of the Everglades. However, they are not originally from this region and instead are from the upper-Tennessee Valley, in modern-day Georgia. Because of consistent pressure, encroachment, and abuse by European-American settlers, they moved into the Florida area. Many Miccosukee mingled and integrated with the Seminole Tribe, but they retained their original culture and identity to the present-day.
I was excited to see their locality, and we stopped in their community center that housed a hospital, school, and a library.
A library is a haven for all wary wanderers, no matter the background. I walked in with the determined resolve to be intentionally respectful and mindful.
That is when I met Maverick. The one-man librarian that day who welcomed me into his unique library.
I instantly felt at home in this library. The layout of the collections and miscellaneous items made you feel welcomed and comfortable. I quickly noticed how Maverick took initiative and interest towards anything new or innovative. He recently added puzzles and games, to entice local children to visit the library. He also added a Manga collection, realizing the increased interest in this genre. Finally, he rearranged a section of the library to encourage guests to rest and possibly even nap.
“A library is a place where you can forget about things for a little while,” Maverick informed me.
I couldn’t agree more.
Besides the layout and organization of the library, I enjoyed the priceless collection of community art and heritage. Throughout the library, you could see blankets, baskets, dolls, lacrosse sticks, paintings, and other pieces of art, created by members of the community. Some were behind glass cabinets, but many others were out for guests to utilize or examine up close. I found this beautiful, and it reinforced the idea that a library can represent, promote, inspire, and build up the community it serves.
Maverick showed me the special collection of yearbooks he wanted to grow. The community school donated years worth of yearbooks, representing the community in such a personal way. I greatly shared my excitement over his project. I thought it was an ingenious way for the library to encourage local history and promote community connection. What a wonderful idea!
Maverick’s creativity and innovation towards the limited supplies he has is inspiring and admirable. He gave me ideas for future projects of my own! Although the computers are out-of-date and his yearly budget is extremely limited, he is able to create a safe, fun, and welcoming environment for his community.
I know I will never see Maverick again, but what an experience for me as a professional and for me as a human. I loved talking with him about libraries and the potential his own library had.
Wherever your travels take you, remember to visit community centers like the library. Expanding your knowledge and interest in local history and culture can greatly enhance any travel experience. If you ever travel to the Everglades, make sure you stop in and say hi to Maverick.
Maverick’s library accepts donations!
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