Allapattah Branch Library Facing Closure

MIAMI (CBSMiami) – After decades open, the Allapattah Branch Library is facing closure.

Last fall, Miami commissioners voted to terminate the rent-free Allapattah lease with Miami-Dade County's library system in favor of a new affordable-housing complex.

On Wednesday, students, community members and residents showed out to distribute a petition to save the branch or have a library included in the new development.

"The library is very crucial to the community. This library is used by many people and it's been here for a long period of time. To see it go is definitely going to impact the community in a harsh way," said Fernando Salgado, who's against the closure. "[We] would like to come to an agreement for the community, to see if we could maintain the same resources in Allapattah. Maybe not maintain the library, but come to a simple agreement where the community is involved."

The branch will officially close its doors on Dec. 8 to begin construction.