LRP News Roll
Friends of Georgetown Library present a Spring Book Sale
[April 29, 2013]
Cast Your Vote for One City One Book
[April 19, 2013]
Tenley Library Friends To Host Book Talk and Discussion: The Orange Tree
[April 8, 2013]
DCPL News Roll
Fifth-Grader Wins $1,000 as First National Letters About Literature Essay Contest From The District
[May 15, 2013]
Books & Bites Returns
[May 7, 2013]
District Students Understand Their Stories Through Reading
[April 27, 2013]
Raising Readers with Your Library
[April 26, 2013]
This is Your Brain on "Bossypants"
[April 23, 2013]
DCPL Events
An Afternoon with Breena Clarke at the Anacostia Community Museum
Author Breena Clarke will perform two readings from her novels River, Cross My Heart and Stand the Storm, her latest novel which explores the constant struggle and sacrifice of African American to maintain their freedom in a frontier town with no laws protecting black citizens. A book sale and signing will follow the reading. For reservations, call 202-633-4844.
This program is presented in collaboration with the Smithsonian Anacostia Community Museum, DC Public Library and the DC By the Book Project, and Cultural Tourism DC.   Event takes place at the Anacostia Community Museum, 1901 Fort Place SE, Washington DC, 20020.
Launched in March 2013, DC By the Book is an interactive online map that allows anyone to explore and contribute to the landscape of Washington, D.C. as it has been represented in fiction. We are fully mapping River, Cross My Heart in anticipation of the program!
Sunday, May 26, 2013 - 2:00pm at Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library.
Job Seekers Clinic
Get help with setting up email accounts, resume writing and online application.Mondays, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Monday, May 27, 2013 - 10:00am at Lamond-Riggs Library.
Knit-Wits: Knitting & Crocheting Class/Club
Every Monday, except where noted, the knitting and crocheting CLASS meets; every Friday, the knitting and crocheting CLUB meets.Join us for fun, creativity and making georgeous wear!
Friday, May 24, 2013 - 2:30pm at Parklands-Turner Library.
Ultimate Game Nights
Do you have the skills with a Wii or Xbox controller?Come every Monday until 6 p.m., starting April 1, in the large meeting room on the first floor.Wii and Xbox games will be played, so come with friends ages 12-19 years old.
Monday, May 27, 2013 - 4:30pm at Mt. Pleasant Library.
Chess Instruction for Children and Teens
Beginning Monday, April 2, 2013, Chess Instruction for children and teens will be held on Mondays at 5:30 p.m.There is no change for chess instruction for younger children ages 2- 6 on Thursdays.Best for ages 7-16.
Monday, May 27, 2013 - 5:30pm at Woodridge Library.
Library News
The Shaw Library Study Group (SLSG)
Statement of Purpose
The mission of the Watha T. Daniel/Shaw Branch Library Study Group is to promote the public interest in the Watha T. Daniel/Shaw Branch Public Library and ensure adequate community oversight of the proposed transformation of the Watha T. Daniel/Shaw Branch Public Library, located in Ward 2. The Library Study Group will research and disseminate information, as well as convene meetings to foster community consultation, discuss findings, identify concerns, and take action as participants so direct.
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The District Dynamos have been an effective bunch in the Shaw community. DCPL's poor planning and obfuscation during the so-called community input meetings found many Ward 2 residents scratching their heads and quite frustrated -- something you wouldn't imagine could happen when the City is helping build new libraries.
In January 2008, DCPL showed off the new library plans calling the new library building the "Jewel of Rhode Island Avenue."
January 2008 |
January 2008 night shot |
For nearly six months, the community heard nothing about the library project with little to no updates on the DCPL website to inform us how the project was proceeding. Then Shaw residents were invited to a surprise community meeting, held with very little notice, to announce that DCPL had to change the plans a bit.
July 2008 |
July 2008 |
The plans changed dramatically. DCPL showed the public the above images in July 2008.
The Dynamos had to step up and inform thousands of local residents who were expecting a jewel to instead beware that it may actually something quite different. The ridiculous changes made the new building looking like the old building, except with a modern veneer. The design showed a triangular shaped building with slot windows, plain metal plated facade -- some residents called it a "bunker" and some said it felt like "a prison."
We pushed and pushed hard for the design changes, unfortunately this DCPL mess detracted from conversing about other critical aspects of the library plans, like security and the interior layout.
In September 2008, DCPL showed us the following design.
The Dynamos collected thousands of petition signatures, many local community groups got on board a campaign to say we deserved better. Soon enough, the library's jewel like facade appeared again and this time the building would have a green roof as had been requested and denied by DCPL prior to our campaign.
The new building opened in Summer 2010 and to much fanfare and the building has been nominated for architectural awards.
Thanks to the Shaw Library Study Group, another Dynamo around the City pushing for more public input our public library system.
- Chief Cooper on WAMU on Improving DC Libraries
Join Kojo as we get the latest on improvements being made to both the neighborhood library branches and the main library in downtown D.C.
- Brief Report: 9/4/08 Shaw Library
Chief Librarian Cooper started the meeting off with, "Tonight, you will see the library we are going to build." This was before any images were shown and before any public comments or questions.
- Open Letter to Mayor Adrian Fenty from the Shaw Library Study Group
The SLSG sends a letter explaining how difficult it has been working with an inept Board of Library Trustees.
- Open Letter to Chief Librarian Ginnie Cooper from SLSG
The Shaw Library Study Group Agenda for the Best Library was delivered to Chief Librarian Ginnie Cooper by hand.
- The Evolution of a Ward 2 Library
Seven months later and the new Watha T. Daniel / Shaw library plans seem less majestic and more like the old Shaw library?!?
- How has the Shaw Library Exterior Changed?
There are seemingly dramatic changes to the Shaw Library since we first saw images in January 2008. The question is why?
- Discussion about the new Shaw Library floor plans
The SLSG weighs in on the new Shaw Library floor plans which were put up on the DCPL website in late July 2008.
- Advisory Neighborhood Commission 2C Decries Poor Library Design Process
ANC-2C, in the heart of Ward 2's Shaw neighborhood has made a public declaration decrying the poor design process for the new Watha T. Daniel / Shaw Library.
- Shaw Library Study Group Community Survey Results
Almost two months of community collaboration towards maximizing the number of Shaw voices in the Watha T. Daniel / Shaw Library transformation.
- Videos: 7/23/08 -- Board of Library Trustees Meeting
Ward 2 residents and employees came out to the July 23 Board of Library Trustees Meeting hosted at the SouthEast Library.
- Shaw Library Last Chance Survey Results
The Greater Shaw community prioritized their remaining unaddressed concerns to help guide a discussion with DC Public Library leadership.
- Neighbors helped shape library plans
Chief Cooper found time to write a letter to the Current.
- The Condemned Library -- A sight of wreckage to behold.
Upon rounding the east end of the building, I came across the unanticipated and startling sight of an abandoned demolition.
- City unveils final design for Shaw library
Many attendees left Thursday’s meeting frustrated and unsatisfied. They said library officials have ignored many of their questions and complaints and shut them out of a process purportedly designed for their inclusion.
- Library victory in Shaw, Brooklanders still fighting for trees
Chief Cooper and the architects have reworked the plan to use a less expensive frosted glass in place of the originally-planned channel glass, enabling them to return to an all-glass design.
- Community to Chief Librarian: Stop Ignoring Us
The DC Library Renaissance Project delivered a letter to Chief Librarian Ginnie Cooper detailing the ways the DC Public Library has ignored general and specific requests from the community regarding plans for the new Watha T. Daniel neighborhood library in Shaw.
- Watha T. Daniel Library -- when's it coming?
If you live in Shaw you know that the double-wide trailer set up as a temporary home for the Watha T. Daniel / Shaw branch has been sitting there at 10th and Rhode Island with a great big colorful banner announcing what it is, but it isn't open.
- D.C. library system needs reality check
Current readers might well be confused by conflicting reports about the new Shaw library in the Sept. 10 issue.
- The Slow, Sad Waltz of the New Shaw Library
The new Waltha T. Daniels-Shaw Library continues to sputter through redesign after redesign in attempts to cut costs while remaining on schedule.
- Shaw and Mt. Vernon Neighborhoods Finally to See Actual Ground-breaking for Long-Awaited, New Watha T. Daniel Branch Library Building
A somehow myopic version of the so called Shaw Library final-design meeting by the Intowner.
- D.C. powerless to open interim Shaw library
The prefabricated building on Rhode Island Avenue NW is primed for book lovers, but the District’s Shaw community is still without a neighborhood library thanks to vexing, perhaps avoidable delays connecting the facility to power.
- Shaw Library Design to Include Glass Exterior Again
DC Public Libraries (DCPL) Public Information Officer George Williams has confirmed that the design plans for the new Watha T. Daniel/Shaw Neighborhood Library slated to open at Eighth Street and Rhode Island Avenue NW will once again include glass.
- DCPL-hosted Shaw Library Design Meeting 9/4/08
All out for what may be your last chance to help shape your new Watha T. Daniel / Shaw Library.
- Shaw Community Calendar
Meeting days during the month in Shaw.