News from the DC Public Libraries
Anacostia Interim Library is Here!:
On Friday we will formally announce the arrival of the Anacostia interim library, located at 1800 Good Hope Road, S.E. Earlier this week over 40 concrete bases were poured on the apron of land directly behind the existing library to support the 4,200 square foot pre-fabricated building. The six units that comprise the building’s shell arrived in pairs on tractor-trailers from Indiana, where the interim library was constructed. The final pair will arrive Thursday. After assembly of the building’s shell is completed on Friday, it will take approximately 45 - 60 days before the library will open to the public. During that time the Library and its contractors will secure applicable District permits; run water, sewer and electrical lines; install light fixtures, carpeting, shelving and furniture; and stock with books, materials and technology.
Tenley Interim Library Set To Open!:
Just after the arrival of the Anacostia interim library comes the opening of the Tenley interim library, which is planned for Thursday, December 28. The storefront location, at 4200 Wisconsin Avenue, N.W., has been a flurry of activity over the past few months as build-out of the space was completed. Recently carpeting, shelving, lighting, equipment and furniture have been installed. Books, computers and smaller equipment will be the last to go into the interim library before it opens. We will issue a press release 24- to 48-hours before we open to the public so that the media will be able to carry news of the opening. However, because we will be working out bugs in the various systems and trying to iron out any unforeseen kinks, we are holding off on doing any big announcements or events.
New Technology Training Lab:
Construction began this week on a new computer-training lab in the central library. The new lab will be located in Room 311, where the Periodical Room has long made its home, and will open in March 2007. The new lab will more than triple our capacity for training because it will accommodate 38 students and two instructors. A dividing wall will allow two classes to be taught simultaneously, and when classes aren’t in session it will be available for public use. After the new lab is open the former lab will be converted into a combination of office space and a staff-training lab.
Periodical Room – Where Is It Going?:
I have been told that there is confusion about what will happen to the Periodical Room — not so much that there is a new computer lab being built there but about where all the periodicals and staff are now located. The central library will no longer have a separate Periodical Room. The services that were provided in this division will continue, however, not from a single location, as has been the case for many decades. This change will positively impact the level of customer service and accessibility of these materials for library users: library users will now find books and periodicals in the same area, making it easier to find related material. In addition, all public service staff will be able to help library users find the information they need. Branch staff has been instructed to call the subject divisions for customer inquiries. Two microform readers are now located in the Business/Technology Room and two readers are now in the Sociology Division Room. We continue to improve what is available online, at MLK, neighborhood libraries, and via computer at home, work and school. This is an exciting time for staff and customers as we move in the direction of the 21st Century and services improve.
