In recent years, the DC Public Library system (DCPL) has embarked on a process of library transformation for the Benning Branch neighborhood library under the leadership of the Chief Librarian and Board of Library Trustees (BOLT).
The process of transformation has been lauded by DCPL and BOLT as adequate and open to community input. However it has become clear over time that the library transformation process has made an after thought of the duly elected local civic bodies known as Advisory Neighborhood Commissions (ANC) and their official great weight.
DCPL and BOLT has also ignored the comments, questions, and suggestions of Ward 7 residents at large as shown below.
Is this an adequate design process?
EXPRESS YOURSELF... Please try to be at the so-called final
Benning Library design meeting on Thursday, June 5, 2008, 6:00PM at the Benning
Interim Library.
Board of Library Trustees (BOLT) Meeting, May 28, 2008.
Ward 7 residents come all the way across town to speak up to the BOLT about the concerns and problems with the library transformation process.
Community comments from the Benning Library design meetings
The notes below have been highlighted to show all the public questions, comments,
and suggestions which have yet to be addressed by DCPL or the BOLT. They were
recorded by the paid facilitators
of the design meetings and put up on the DCPL
website as seen here.
December 2007
March 2008
EXPRESS YOURSELF... Please try to be at the so-called final Benning Library design meeting on Thursday, June 5, 2008, 6:00PM at the Benning Interim Library.
Benning Library Architects talk about the design process in July 2007.
The video describes a process which never actually happens. The people never get a choice of Scheme A, B, or C... DCPL chose only one scheme to present in December 2007.
BENNING VIDEO SERIES (2 videos)
Add Floor Here...
Location, Location, Location
MORE VIDEOS HERE...
EXPRESS YOURSELF... Please try to be at the so-called final Benning Library design meeting on Thursday, June 5, 2008, 6:00PM at the Benning Interim Library.