Anacostia Library Listening Session hosted by the DC Public Library and Chief Librarian Ginnie Cooper
WHAT: Anacostia Library Listening Session, hosted by DCPL
WHEN: Thursday, May 17, 6:30 - 8:30PM
WHERE: Anacostia Interim Library; behind closed library at 1800 Good Hope Road, SE
Review: May 17 Anacostia Listening Session
There were
about 10 to 20 folks from the Anacostia Community at the DCPL sponsored
"Hopes and Dreams" meeting, including a few ANC Commissioners,
librarians, Anacostia Library Friends, and others.
Most of these folks were contacted directly by the library via a
mailed postcard. Not sure how one gets on the libraries mailing list,
but suffice it to say most people in Anacostia did not know of this
meeting. This includes the many community-based organization in Anacostia
which one can find on Councilmember Barry's website.
Below is a video of a portion of the listening session.
Below are notes produced by Robin Diener, Library
Renaissance Project, who attended the DCPL May 17 "Hopes and Dreams"
meeting.
What we know & don't know about a new
library...
Coffeeshop: The only topic on which Chief
Cooper polled the group was interest in seeing a coffeeshop as part of
the new library. Attendees were nearly unanimous in favor. Cooper
mentioned that she had visited libraries in Europe where library
coffeeshops were located to allow them to open before -- and to remain open after
-- library hours of operation. No further discussion was had about
questions like who would own and operate such an establishment (DCPL?) or
whether leasing space might be desirable to create a revenue stream for
the library.
Computers and Connectivity: wi-fi was
installed system-wide by the new Chief Librarian shortly after she arrived.
The interim Anacostia facility has 20 computers available for public
use, more than any other location in the system, except MLK. There was
no discussion of how much more access might be provided in the new
library.
Design of Interior Space: Cooper said
that the new library would follow a model of maximum flexibility.
According to DCPL's website description, the existing Anacostia Library
building has "no fixed interior partition walls. The design was meant to be
purely functional, allowing for flexible use of space."
http://dclibrary.org/branches/ana/history.html
There was no
discussion of how the new flexibility would differ from the old
flexibility.
Emergency: One ANC commissioner asked
about provision of a fallout shelter or other space for the public in event
of emergency. Capital Projects Manager Jeff Bonvechio said that DCPL
would not provide this unless required to by the city. The commissioner
said the library is part of the area's emergency plan. DCPL agreed to
check.
Expansion: According DCPL�s website
description, "The building was designed to eventually hold 50,000 volumes,
and provided for future expansion."
http://dclibrary.org/branches/ana/history.html
Although the
neighborhood is often identified by politicians as being in need of
increased access to services like childcare, adult literacy, tutoring, and
health information, the possibility of significantly expanding the library
building or services to provide such was not mentioned.
Energy Efficiency: DCPL must abide by DC�s
energy efficiency regulations for its agencies. Ginnie Cooper said, "You can count on the new library being green."
Green space: Far and away the most
striking feature of the Anacostia Library is its park like setting, but no
mention was made of how it would be integrated into the building design,
how the building would be oriented on the site, if existing trees would
be preserved, if there would be gardens or playgrounds, etc.
Height: the Blue Ribbon Task Force Report
recommended that neighborhood libraries be complete on one level.
Homelessness: This topic did not come up.
Parking: Although Cooper listed parking
as something residents were concerned about in 2004, parking was not
included in the service responses and none was discussed.
Pedestrian and Vehicular Traffic: An
exciting new library would conceivably draw many users. There was no
discussion of how this might impact the flow of traffic on Good Hope Road,
whether additional crosswalks or traffic lights might be needed to
safeguard pedestrians, or how bicycles, skateboards and rollerblades would be
accommodated.
Renovation Option: There was no discussion
of the possibility of cost savings to be achieved by renovation.
Security: One local ANC commissioner was
heard to say privately that the neighborhood needed security. The
interim facility in Anacostia has security guard on duty when it is open. If
and how security would be provided was not discussed.
Size: the Blue Ribbon Task Force Report
recommended that neighborhood libraries be 20,000 square feet overall.
According to DCPL's Capital Projects manager Jeff Bonvechio, the existing
Anacostia Library building has 15,500 square feet of usable space. We
don't know how much of a new 20,000 square foot library would be
"usable."
LIBRARY
DYNAMOS