Saturday, April 3, 2010, 4:30PM -- Three Reasons Rally

Saturday, April 3, 2010 3 Reasons Rally, flash-mob danceathon 4:30PM at the Mount Pleasant Library Say no to the premature closure of Ward One's only public library 16th and Lamont Streets, NW FMI: 202-536-406

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REPORTBACK FROM THE RALLY

On a beautiful spring Saturday many Ward One residents gathered at 16th & Lamont Streets NW to decry the closing of Ward One's only public library -- the historic Mount Pleasant Library.

See the WCP Story Here

ANC Commissioners, civic group leaders and library advocates danced in front of the library -- a dance of dissent to DCPL's decision to close our library and to attempt to close the discussion about the controversial and confusing Mount Pleasant Library renovation and expansion plans.

Sadly, DCPL did indeed close our only Ward One library on this otherwise beautiful spring day. This library will sit waiting for next steps... and the temporary library isn't even ready to move into yet. So our Ward won't have any library services whatsoever, until the temporary library on Mount Pleasant Street opens up. DCPL has held us hostage!

But library advocates did not let the building close so quietly. Many beautiful Ward One peoples and bibliophiles held the library open more than one hour past closing time, see below.

		More then 50 people came to the rally during our time there. We collected about 75 additional petition signatures.
Video Report by WSQT
		Photos by Ted Stein

PLEASE
SIGN THE PETITION TO HELP WARD ONE
GET LIBRARY CONSTRUCTION PLANS
THAT MAKE SENSE!

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Three reasons to say no to the closure of our library: 1) RESOLVE THE ISSUES Issues of ADA Accessibility and Fire Safety Remain Unresolved: Seniors and residents with disabilities say the proposed ramp is unsafe at 100 feet long, 7 feet high. It will take them to an entrance at the back of the building, hardly welcoming. The expansion plan also limits emergency access to the rear of the residential corridor behind the library, jeopardizing the safety of about 1000 residents, mostly Latino families. * Ramp Concerns * Fire Safety Concerns 2) RESPECT THE ANC's Local Advisory Neighborhood Commissions have funded independent technical review of DCPL's proposed plans. Because they haven't been able to get satisfactory answers from DCPL or other District agencies. The ANC reports will be released in full next week. Preliminary summaries show that key components of DCPL's proposed plans do not comply with DC building code or ADA standards. DCPL doesn't want to have to deal with these findings, so they're rushing the closure. 3) THE TEMPORARY LIBRARY IS NOT READY The interim library that will serve Ward One residents during the MtPl Library renovation is just beginning to be fitted for occupancy. DCPL says it needs more than three weeks between closing the historic Mt. Pleasant branch and opening the interim library. It's not like librarians are going to be doing construction, installing computers, or even moving books. What if a pipe bursts or DCPL doesn't get the permits it needs? For as long as it takes to open, Ward One will be left with no library services. It hurts no one to keep our Mount Pleasant Library open until the interim is absolutely ready for customers. Speak up and speak out! Be there to show your support for logic and open discussion. Dance the illogic away, do the DCPL dance! Music by the FTW peeps. ======================= Saturday, April 3, 2010 3 Reasons Rally, flash-mob 4:30PM at the Mount Pleasant Library Say no to the premature closure of Ward One's only public library 16th and Lamont Streets, NW FMI: 202-536-4065 http://www.districtdynamos.org/mount_pleasant/rally_4_3_2010 =====================

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PLEASE SIGN THE PETITION >>
http://www.districtdynamos.org/mount_pleasant/petition

SUPPORTING LINKS >>
http://www.districtdynamos.org/mount_pleasant
http://www.districtdynamos.org/documents/plans/mtpl/change
http://www.districtdynamos.org/documents/plans/mtpl/confusion

/mount_pleasant/