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.
Shaw Library Design Meeting
Thursday, September 4, 2008 6:30 - 8:30 pm
Watha T. Daniel-Shaw Interim Library
945 Rhode Island Avenue, NW
Link to DCPL website
On June 23, DCPL hosted what was to be the last design meeting for the new Watha T. Daniel / Shaw Library.
At this meeting the architect and Chief Librarian Ginnie Cooper made some startling statements about a shrinking budget and problems with underground well water and metro tunnels. They didn't get into details besides offering some options to reduce the height of the building and lift the basement up a few feet to accommodate these new problems.
Besides a cursive review of these new concerns, nothing else has really changed. It has been six months since the last meeting and little has changed! This meeting, like the others offered little back and forth between DCPL and the public about what could be happening on the inside of the library and there are still outstanding questions about the exterior.
UNANSWERED QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS
* Where's a dedicated space for adult literacy training considering the literacy divide in Shaw and DC as a whole?
* There has never been a feasibility study done on a cafe inside the library. DCPL and Chief Cooper might make some room for a coffee cart!
* There is no dedicated space for a computer lab despite the overwhelming desire to have one -- instead a librarian is expected to set up and breakdown a laptop computer lab every time a class is to be held. Given the digital divide, Shaw librarians will be quite busy troubleshooting laptops for a lab setup while other library patrons have to wait for service.
* There is no plans to make the building expandable in the future
SURVEY RESULTS
* Residents throughout Ward 2 and in particular those working and living near the Shaw Library have expressed through surveys what they would like to see in their new Watha T. Daniel/ Shaw Library. The results can be found here >>
http://www.districtdynamos.org/documents/surveys/
VIDEO
* Here is video of the community comment period at the June 23 meeting (40min) >>
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6086160289667857958
* This is video of the question regarding a cafe in the new Watha T. Daniel / Shaw Library >>
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-4938530105682715146
COMMUNITY FEEDBACK
* ANC-2C has declared the Shaw library design process as poor >>
http://dc.indymedia.org/newswire/display/143659/index.php
* Commissioner Kevin Chapple has been following the library process all along >>
http://chappleanc.com/public/index.php?s=library
* Candidate for Council, Cary Silverman, has also been tracking the library design process >>
http://caryforcouncil.org/campaign/index.php?blog=9&cat=73
OTHER SUPPORTING INFORMATION
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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?
- 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.
- 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.
- Shaw Community Calendar
Meeting days during the month in Shaw.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Neighbors helped shape library plans
Chief Cooper found time to write a letter to the Current.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
/dynamos/shaw/
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