LRP News Roll
Library Trustees March Meeting
[March 29, 2012]
Press Release: ULI’s Tentative Recommendation to Keep MLK a Library
[November 20, 2011]
Press Release: Ralph Nader Asks Mayor Gray to Appoint Citizens Task Force on MLK
[November 18, 2011]
DCPL News Roll
Library Revises Lending Period for Movies and Music
[May 18, 2012]
Two Library Employees Honored for Adult and Computer Literacy Work
[May 16, 2012]
DC Public Library Names Eva Poole Chief of Staff
[May 11, 2012]
District Students Write Writers
[May 11, 2012]
Washington Highlands and Francis A. Gregory Interim Libraries Closing
[April 30, 2012]
DCPL Events
Third Annual Bicycle "Tour de DCPL"
Join us Saturday May 19 for the Tour de DCPL and explore D.C. through your libraries!The Tour de DCPL is a library-themed bicycle ride of D.C., stopping at five DC Public Libraries. Bicycle-riding library staff and volunteers organize the ride each year as a way to promote environmentally friendly transportation and to explore how libraries connect with their communities.This year's ride begins at the Southwest Neighborhood Library - 900 Wesley Place SW. Arrive at 9 a.m. for registration, snacks and library card sign-ups!The ride will start by 9:30 a.m.Here is this year's proposed "East of the River" route:(Route is subject to change)1 - Southwest Neighborhood Library2 - Anacostia Neighborhood Library3 - Francis Gregory Interim Library + ride by site of new library4 - Dorothy I. Height/Benning Neighborhood Library5 - Southeast Neighborhood LibraryPlease register for the ride in advance.Email bikedcpl@gmail.com with any questions or for more information.
Saturday, May 19, 2012 - 9:00am at Anacostia Library, Dorothy I. Height/Benning Library, Francis A. Gregory Library, Southeast Library, Southwest Library.
Vocabulary Bee
The Friends of the Woodridge Library will host a Vocabulary Bee.
Saturday, May 19, 2012 - 10:00am at Woodridge Library.
Word I Basics
Learn basic word processing features that can help you to create letters, résumés, faxes and other documents that are used to apply for jobs. Seats will be filled on a first-come, space available basis.Instructor: K. WahlerComputer Lab, Room 311Required Skills: The ability to read and comprehend English well and the skills acquired in the PC Basics class.You will learn to: Identify and navigate the basic features and elements of the Microsoft Word window
 Execute multiple text selection techniques
 Apply basic formatting features
 Perform the Copy/Cut and Paste function
 Execute the Find and Replace and Go To features
 Explore a variety of templates for creating letters, résumés, faxes, reports, stationery and more
 Apply themes, page borders, page colors and watermarks
Please bring your own flash drive to save class documents, or send them to your e-mail account.
Saturday, May 19, 2012 - 10:00am at Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library.
Naturalization Information Session
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will present an information session for immigrants interested in U.S. citizenship.Learn about:
Obtaining permanent residency
Naturalization eligibility requirements
Naturalization process
Naturalization test
The interview process, with a live mock interview
There will be time for questions and answers after the presentation, and USCIS will bring materials for those who are interested in applying for naturalization.
Saturday, May 19, 2012 - 10:00am at Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library.
A Presentation on Presentations by Roger Gilbertson
Do you wish to present yourself as a dynamic person, ready to roll, to support, to inspire?Unsure how to present information clearly and effectively to your friends, colleagues and other interested parties?Are you interested in reaching out globally through YouTube and other presentation technologies -- and influencing people around the world?Whether you are a student, a CEO, or an elected official, you should expect to present yourself, your ideas and your creations, in a clear, concise and effective way.  Join Roger Gilbertson -- a rear admiral, expert generalist, artist, scientist, futures and management consultant, university faculty, political candidate and student -- for tips on how to make a great presentation.
Saturday, May 19, 2012 - 10:00am at Watha T. Daniel-Shaw Library.
Library News
The Ward One Tree of Concern is Growing
Ward One residents are compelled to grow a tree of concern regarding the expansion of the Mount Pleasant Library.
Several branches stemming out from this tree of concern represent distinct yet very legitimate logistical complaints regarding the new library designs, whether it be the proximity of the expansion to local apartment buildings and tenants, or the real fear that the new plans will hurt the historic nature of the current library architecture, or the despair of disregard for what could be a broader comprehensive neighborhood planning opportunity, along with other important concerns too.
The above branches all connect to a massive tree trunk of discontent regarding the overall library design process including, the perceived low level of community input and empirical lack of action on this input, and the blindingly discrete opaqueness by which DCPL is making decisions about such a critical central community project, our neighborhood library.
A CLOSER LOOK
Below is a bevy of documents and links showing the level of concern throughout Ward One and the Mount Pleasant community. You have ANC resolutions, civic group resolutions, letters of concern from historic preservationists and local businesses and community organizations, as well as audio and video reports and more.
This is an archive dedicated to openness and networking and growing a strong tree of community concern... please email the District Dynamos with any additional data you think should be added to this archive for public use.
MOUNT PLEASANT LIBRARY ARCHIVE
DC Public Library (DCPL) & Board of Library Trustees (BoLT)
* Meeting Notes
* Design Images
* Reports / Media Files
* Board of Library Trustees
Executive and Council
* Library Committee reports (contact Neil Rodgers, DC Council Committee Clerk, nrdogers@dccouncil.us, 202-724-8155)
* Legislation (Mayor Fenty, adrian.fenty@dc.gov, Chair Gray vgray@dcouncil.us)
Advisory Neighborhood Commission documents (Ward One ANC's)
Neighborhood Organizations (CBO's, civic groups, businesses, tenants)
* Letters of Correspondence
* Meeting Notes (coming soon)
* Conversations (coming soon)
- 2/18/09 -- MtPl Library Coalition introductory organizing meeting at Tonic, 6:45PM
- 2/19/09 -- the Commission on Fine Arts panel meeting to discuss MtPl design plans (after 1pm)
- 2/19/09 -- Meeting with Jim Graham at 4PM (local businesses and tenants)
- 2/24/09 -- Mayor and Ward One Council Meeting on the MtPl Library, 6:30PM, at MtPl Library
- 2/28/09 -- Historic Mount Pleasant Annual Mtg (MtPl Library discussion), 10AM
- 3/04/09 -- DCPL makes formal presentation to ANC-1C with library designs, 7PM, at Mary's Center
- 3/16/09 -- City Council Committee on Libraries hearing, 10AM, Wilson building room 500
The Ward One Library Coalition
has been initiated by the District Dynamos and shares its mission with other Library Dynamos around DC...
... to promote the public interest in the Mount Pleasant Library, serving all of Ward One, and ensure adequate community oversight of the proposed renovation and expansion of the Mount Pleasant Library. Our participants will research and disseminate information, as well as convene meetings to foster community consultation, discuss findings, identify concerns, and take action as needed.
Help win back accountability and common sense!
- The Ward One Library Coalition
The Mount Pleasant Library Dynamo homepage.
- History of the Mount Pleasant Library
Built in 1925 and still standing today.
- Transmission of ANC-1C Resolution to Chief Librarian Cooper
Letter containing ANC-1C resolution regarding the Mount Pleasant Library.
- Contact the Library Renaissance Project
- Mayor's Office of Community Services Hosts Library Meeting
Email announcement from the Ward One MOCA regarding a community meeting on Tuesday, February 24, 2009.
- We need your feedback!
Surveys to help get your feelings on which we we need to move forward!
- ANC-1D Hosts Community Meeting on the Library Project
On March 3, 2009, ANC-1D hosted a community forum about the Mount Pleasant Library project which elicits new information from DCPL.
- DCPL Visits ANC-1C For the First Time
On Wednesday Evening, March 4, 2009, ANC-1C was surprised to see Mr. Archie Williams and Mr. Chris Wright of the DC Public Library.
- DCPL Appears Before ANC-1A
On Wednesday, March 11, Mr. Archie Williams, Intergovernmental Liaison for DCPL, appeared before ANC-1A in Columbia Heights.
- ANC-1D Hosts Culmination of Mount Pleasant's Position on the Library Project
Continuing discussion in Mount Pleasant has culminated in a ANC-1D Resolution showing the wishes of the community.
- Fire chief, Mendelson trade blame over staffing
Chief Rubin said Monday that because of budget cuts made by the D.C. Council's Committee on Public Safety and the Judiciary, which has oversight of the fire department, he only has the funds to staff two of the six water trucks and with drivers only, instead of full four-person crews.
- Fire Chief & Council Member Again Point Fingers As New Water Report Comes Out
The mayor lead a press conference to provide the city's final report on a July 29 fire on Chain Bridge Road. The internal report by the city lists nine recommendations on how the DC Water and Sewer Authority (WASA) and the DC Fire & EMS Department can better handle fires at locations in the city where there are small water mains.
- Ward One Library Petition
There's still time to shift the Mount Pleasant Library design so that all library users and neighbors can be satisfied with the construction plans going forward.
- Concerns Grow About Mt Pleasant Library Accessibility Issues
ANC-1C has asked Councilmember Jim Graham to help expedite a response to the ANC letter asking DCPL about remaining concerns with the Mount Pleasant library project.
- ANC 1D Passes Library Study Funding Contract
ANC-1D Resolution allowing for a matching funding contract with the community to support production of technical reports and expert advice regarding the Mount Pleasant Library project.
- Videos: 2010 Library Performance Oversight Hearing
2010 Performance Oversight Hearing to keep some accountability of DC's public library system.
- March 27, 2010, 2PM -- Save Our Library Rally
Let's keep our library open... say no to the premature closure of our only Ward One public library!
- Saturday, April 3, 2010, 4:30PM -- Three Reasons Rally
Say NO to DCPL's premature closing our our Mount Pleasant Library.
- Library Occupation Funks the Police
This dustup was only the most recent in a string of protests around the last of three original Carnegie libraries to be renovated, which has become a flashpoint for local library activists.
- Size Matters in DC Library Fight
There can indeed be too much of a good thing, according to those fighting to preserve a historic library in Northwest Washington.
- Neighborhood Watch: Residents Flash-Mob Mt. Pleasant Library Expansion
Mount Pleasant Public Library in Ward 1, set to close on Saturday for renovation and expansion, is the latest in the spotlight of the library wars.
- Neighborhood Watch: Residents Flash-Mob Mt. Pleasant Library Expansion
Mount Pleasant Public Library in Ward 1, set to close on Saturday for renovation and expansion, is the latest in the spotlight of the library wars.
- Mt. Pleasant Library Set to Close for Construction
The long-awaited overhaul of the Mount Pleasant Library is just about to begin.
- Mt. P library patrons not going quietly
Mt. P library patrons not going quietly: Activists protested closing the Mount Pleasant Library for renovation Saturday.
- Protesters Occupy Mt Pleasant Library, Chain Door Open
April 3 was the last day the Mt Peasant Library was open - for at least 18 months of renovation. On the same day of the closure, protesters held the building open at closing time with a door chained open and an occupation of the basement.
- Brief Timeline of DCPL Renovation and Expansion Plans
Get a sense of what's happened in Mount Pleasant over time.
- Expert review of DCPL's proposed plans
Several architectural and safety experts and preservationists have findings about DCPL's proposed plans.
- Seniors, Disabled Say They are Unlikely to Use New Mt. Pleasant Library
Residents of Samuel Kelsey Apartments expressed dismay when a paper “ramp” was rolled out in their parking lot on Tuesday to simulate what it would be like to use a 120 foot long and 7 foot high ramp, planned as part of a new main entrance to the Mt. Pleasant Library two blocks from their home.
- Library Busters -- Who Ya Gonna Call?
DCPL has begun the demolition of a key feature of the Carnegie Library -- the historic sunroom.
- Proposed Mt. Pleasant Library Ramp Still Not Compliant
An expert review of newly revised plans for the expansion of the Mt. Pleasant Library has determined that the building's proposed accessibility route remains out of compliance with ADA standards.
- BZA to Re-deliberate Mt. Pleasant Library Appeal
Residents of Ward One believe that DC’s Department of Regulatory and Consumer Affairs (DCRA) Zoning Administrator wrongly issued a building permit to the DC Public Library for its proposed expansion of the historic Mt. Pleasant Library.
- Second BZA Commissioner Finds Library Building Permit Issued in Error
The ANC appeal of the Mt. Pleasant Library case before the Board of Zoning Adjustment (BZA) gained support Tuesday from BZA Commissioner Jeffrey L. Hinkle, who was tasked with the case, after the BZA failed to reach a decision in early March.
- In Opposing Library Request, ANC Seeks Compromise
Mt. Pleasant’s ANC 1D yesterday voted to oppose the DC Public Library’s request for permission to construct a controversial accessibility ramp, addition, and new main entrance to its historic library building.