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HistoryThe Land and the BuildingThe Brockway Memorial Library opened its doors in 1949. The library owes its existence to the generosity of George A. Brockway, after whom it is named. Mr. Brockway, an industrialist who wintered in Miami Beach, contributed the funds to build the library. The land on which the library stands was donated by Bessemer Properties, which was under the direction of Roy H. Hawkins, General Manager. Miami Shores professionals were secured for different aspects of the project, including: Edwin T. Reeder, architect; C.F. Wheeler, builder; and Haygood Lassetter, interior designer. Upon the structure's completion, Roy McKenzie, Miami Shores' Mayor at the time, lauded the building as an outstanding example of "modern Florida architecture". Over the years, in order to accommodate the library's ever-expanding collection, additions to the building were made, the most recent being the North Dade Medical Foundation Media Center, completed in August, 2002.
The Collection Originally, the library was built to house 20,000 volumes. The initial collection was composed of 4,182 books donated by residents and civic organizations. In 1953, upon Mr. Brockway's death, 1,100 volumes were donated from his estate. Today, the collection boasts over 50,000 books, 120 current magazines and newspapers and over 2,500 audios and videos. In addition, the library provides Internet access through a network of computers housed in the North Dade Medical Foundation Media Center.
The People The library operates under the guidance of a Board of Trustees. The original Board of Trustees included: Edna Brockway, C. Franklin Wheeler, Mrs. Edwin T. Reeder, Mrs. William H. Walker and Mrs. Haygood Lassetter. The library continues to operate through this system.
Brockway Memorial Library's first librarian was Helen O'Connell Borsch who served in that capacity until 1958. She was followed by Geraldine Grundy who remained the librarian until 1975. Since that year, the library's present Director began her association with the library. The Youth Services Librarian has been at the library since 1984. In addition to other staff members, the library is served by a group of volunteers known as the Friends of the Library.
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