District Dynamos -- You Are the Library

The District Dynamos is a network of community driven oversight groups currently focusing on DC's public library system.

King Memorial Library Photo by Rob Goodspeed

The neglect of the DC's library system over decades has led to a serious erosion of the physical plant and library services offered to the residents of Washington, DC.

In recent years, the DC Public Library (DCPL) system has been uplifted by the DC City Council and Mayor with an increase in funding for capital projects at the central King Memorial Library and the surrounding neighborhood branch libraries. The new funding has been directed at fixing immediate repairs at the central library and conducting more comprehensive library transformations among several branch libraries.

Currently, the Chief Librarian and Board of Library Trustees (BOLT) have been given the reigns over how the new infusion of much needed funding is spent. Many residents expected more thorough consultation with the public by DCPL and BOLT, but have not seen a bigger oversight role materialize.

The District Dynamos seeks to involve District residents in the transformation of our library system in a more meaningful and proactive way.

LATEST INFO

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Google DC Public Library News Wire

Stand in solidarity with residents across the District demanding the best possible neighborhood libraries and meaningful community input...

• Neighborhood Library Dynamos

  Neighborhood library dynamos forming to protect the public interest in the DC Public library.

• Developing and Sustaining a System of Adult Literacy for the District of Columbia

  The Mayor’s Adult Literacy Council envisions an effective and successful adult literacy system whose ultimate goal, as part of a high quality education system, is to eliminate illiteracy in the District of Columbia. This system is based on credible data and high standards that are comprehensive, coherent, and responsive to all learners’ needs —contributing to the District of Columbia’s distinction as a world-class city. With this stated vision and goal, the Mayor’s Adult Literacy Council submits this report.

• Library Board Ignores Mayor on Tenley Library, Directs Chief Librarian to Proceed with Construction

  President of the Board of Library Trustees John Hill revealed that his board has instructed Chief Librarian Ginnie Cooper to proceed with construction documents for a standalone library at Tenley.

• Tenleytown Library Project Moving Forward Despite Fenty Expectations

  President John Hill, of the Board of Library Trustees, disclosed the decision to move forward with the Tenley plans at the November BoLT meeting, surprising Tenleytown residents and community leaders who have vehemently opposed Mayor Adrian Fenty’s plans for a mixed-use project at Wisconsin Avenue and Albemarle Street.

• Library branch in Tenleytown to be built without residential tower

  The DC Public Library’s Board of Trustees has instructed Chief Librarian Ginnie Cooper to build a new Tenley-Friendship Library “as quickly as possible” to replace the branch that was closed in December 2004.

• D.C. To Close Five (Mini) Libraries

  The D.C. Public Library plans to close all five of its neighborhood kiosks.

• 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.

• 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.

• Contact the Library Renaissance Project

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