DC Public Library leadership is realizing that the Mount Pleasant Library is a Ward-wide issue and is finally attending Ward One ANC meetings.
On Wednesday, March 11, Mr. Archie Williams, Intergovernmental Liaison for DCPL, appeared before ANC-1A in Columbia Heights. He brought the latest Mount Pleasant Library design images on posterboard for the Commission. He also gave a little background on the outreach efforts for the design meetings.
Ward One Commissioners want to have expanded library services more dispersed throughout the Ward especially given the oncoming economic crisis. It has been shown that libraries shine in tough economic times -- library usage climbs dramatically during recessions, let alone depressions.
Mr. Williams did not refute that DCPL did not conduct a needs analysis of Ward-wide library services before choosing and moving forward with the Mount Pleasant Library expansion project -- where Chief Librarian Ginnie Cooper's "Building Program" is being imposed on the current historical building. This "Building Program" was not something the community was ever consulted or approached about in any meaningful way.
Mr. Williams did say that DCPL is looking to examine gaps in library services throughout the City this summer -- but with no funding scheduled for new Ward One library projects, this exercise may seem a bit hollow.
If DCPL would have had more foresight to seek a thorough Ward-wide library services & needs analysis before venturing forth with the Mount Pleasant library project, perhaps our Ward One Commissioners and neighbors would be talking about constructing a new library in an under-served area of Ward One and all the concerns about messing with the historic Mount Pleasant Library building would not exist.
Here are the videos.
From the above videos, one would seemingly feel that DCPL believes there is nothing wrong with what they are doing with the Ward One library project or the others being conducted around the City. The District Dynamos find this strange as in every community where a library project has been conducted there has been some sort of controversy and serious concern by the neighbors living around those projects.
For example, see these videos.