Council Chair Candidates	Vincent Gray	Kathy Patterson
Demographics
Do you have a DC Public Library Card, and if yes, for approximately how many years?	I have held a Library Card since I was a child in elementary school.  As a child, I used the library located at 7th and Maryland Avenue, NE, which remains operational still today.	I’ve been a proud owner (and user) of a D.C. Public Library card for a very long time – at least 25 years.
What branch do you consider serves as your neighborhood library?	The branch serving the community where I presently reside is the Francis Gregory Library located on Alabama Avenue, SE, adjacent to Anne Beers Elementary School.  I have supported the library system historically.   As a Councilmember, I have led the effort to win approval for reconstruction of the Gregory Library.  In the FY 06 budget, we won approval for the planning funds for a new Gregory Library and initial construction funds are included in the FY 07 proposed budget.  I have been an ardent supporter of the modernization of our public libraries across the city.  And I have fought hard to expedite the reconstruction of the Anacostia, Benning, Watha Daniel and Tenleytown libraries, which have been slowed markedly by a poor design and the need to begin the process anew.	Chevy Chase and Tenley.
How has the DC Public Library contributed to your life as a resident of the community?	When I was a child growing up on 6th Street, NE, my mother taught me to read by reading to me as a reward for completing simple tasks to which she assigned me around our apartment.  That experience as a pre-schooler strongly instilled the value and importance of reading and helped me understand and appreciate the fundamental relationship between reading and learning.  The public library became an extension of that.  While in elementary and junior high school, I frequented the public library in order to research topics for homework assignments.  In addition, it was a quiet place to work.  The positive experience I had with the public library system during these early developmental periods extended to my later educational involvement.  While a student at George Washington University, I used the library there extensively.  And, both during and since college, I have been a frequent user of the Library of Congress, an extraordinary experience available to us on a daily basis as residents.  The public library system has been an inherent part of my growth and development.  Libraries assume a vital role in promoting an interest in reading, adult literacy and are a key adjunct to our educational programs.  Libraries can and should play a life-long role in the lives of our residents.  As Chair of the Council, I intend to play an instrumental role in promoting that opportunity.	Perhaps the best answer can be found in lives of my two children, Patrick, who just graduated from Middlebury College, and Gillian, who is a rising sophomore at Bates College.  They participated in childrens’ programs at both Tenley and Chevy Chase when they were toddlers and early readers. That experience gave me a good appreciation for the role of a children’s librarian, and the possibilities of good working relationships between schools and libraries. I used Chevy Chase myself while working on my master’s thesis, and have attended community meetings at every Ward 3 library as well as at branches all over the District.
Scope
With 27 library branches, does the Library System have the right number of  facilities to effectively serve the community?   If no, approximately what number would you advocate and why?	With 27 library branches, the District has an average of a little more than 3 branches per ward.  Yes, 27 library branches effectively serve the community.  However, that number notwithstanding, because not all 27 branches are functional and operational, residents do not have equal access to a sufficient number of functional and operational libraries.  The fact that four libraries closed two years ago, and we are just now identifying and securing temporary spaces is inexcusable, and puts those neighborhoods at a great disadvantage.  As Chair, I will work with the Committee on Education, Libraries, and Recreation and the Executive to ensure the District does not close other library branches before temporary space has been identified and a contract for its use has been executed.  It should be noted that a new Deanwood Library is in the planning stages.  It will be part of a unique collaboration with a recreation and aquatic center near to Ron Brown School, thus creating a magnificent campus effect.	There are multiple dimensions to this question, which cannot be reduced to a yes-or-no answer.  The distribution and size of branches are probably much more important than the number of branches.  For example, a system of 27 library branches with an average of 25,000 square feet would simply have too much capacity – more space than we could adequately maintain or staff – while a system of 27 branches with 8,000 square feet would be wholly inadequate.  I do think that the District needs to be very careful in expanding the size and scope of our library branch system.  Although I believe we are making progress in revitalizing our library system, we have not adequately supplied or maintained the branches that we presently have.  If we add more branches, there will be fewer resources to renovate our dilapidated libraries and stock them with ample, up-to-date collections of books and other materials.  If we decide to add any new branches or expand existing branches, we need to emphasize co-location with our government agencies, particularly schools and recreation centers.  If we co-locate libraries, schools, recreation centers, and other agencies, we create natural synergies – for example, children can use the library after school to do their homework – and save money through shared infrastructure (from heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems to computer labs to utilities) and support services (such as security and maintenance).
Do you feel there are communities that are currently underserved by the DC Public Library?  If yes, which ones?	Yes, as referenced above the Tenleytown, Shaw, Anacostia, and Central Ward 7 communities served by Tenley, Watha T. Daniel, Anacostia, and Bennings Libraries respectively, all of which have been closed for two years, are currently underserved, and particularly the Shaw and Anacostia neighborhoods, where temporary space has not yet been identified.	My greatest concern would be that Ward 8 has only one full-service library (Washington Highlands) and a very small community library (Parklands-Turner, which has only 1,560 square feet).  I support the creation of the new Parklands-Turner Community Campus, which will include a new Turner Elementary School, a community center, and a larger library that will better meet the needs of the community.  I am also pleased to note that the Council approved fiscal year 2007 capital funding to begin the renovation of Washington Highlands Library.
What approaches would you support for reaching those currently underserved by the DC Public Library System?	While 27 branch libraries appear to be an adequate number, services still could be improved in order to effectively reach all interested residents.  I propose three approaches to reaching residents currently underserved by DCPL.  First, DCPL should partner with the District of Columbia Public School System (DCPS).  Every DCPS student should have and be required to have a library card.  In fact, DCPL should be invested in the school curriculum to ensure that District students know how to use the library and conduct research.  A requirement for graduation from high school should be completion of at least one research paper that requires students to conduct research and use the other resources of the library.  Second, DCPS and DCPL should partner to provide literacy, and other adult education classes.  And third, our libraries should be the primary source of technology access.  In this day, when almost everything is accomplished through use of a computer or other technology, all residents must have access to contemporary technology such as computers, facsimiles, and copiers at DCPL.	I am pleased that one of my major initiatives to reach those currently underserved – earmarking money in the fiscal year 2007 budget for all full-service branch libraries to provide five hours of library service on Sundays – will take effect on October 1, 2006.  It makes no sense for libraries, which serve as important community anchors, to be closed on Sundays when parents, children, and adults who work Monday through Friday could make excellent use of library services.  Another important approach is to add public access computers throughout the library system – and to ensure that those computers work reliably.  Public computers are a major draw for library patrons and will attract people who lack Internet access at home, helping to bridge the digital divide.  When the Langston Community Library lacked Internet access for months, library visits dropped sharply – showing how important technology is in attracting people to the library and all of the services it can offer.  Our library collections must also become broader and deeper.  Not only do we need more popular titles for children, teenagers, and adults, we need more items on DVD and CD-ROM, more talking books and large-print items, more extensive holdings of ESL and adult literacy materials, and more foreign-language books.  This process of enhancing the library collections has already begun, with a $400,000 increase in FY 2006 and a $2,750,000 increase in FY 2007.
Does the District need a major central facility such as it now has with the Martin Luther King, Jr., Memorial Library?  If yes, why?	Yes.  However, the current facility is not used with the full effectiveness as a major central resource center.  The District needs a major central facility with a comprehensive supply of resources and technology to effectively serve the entire city and support the community branches.  This is particularly true as the downtown area continues to be developed residentially and the number of people living in the downtown area continues to grow.  The central library should be the flagship and engine of a solid, networked library system.	Absolutely. It is often said that, “Great cities have great central libraries,” and with good reason.  The central library provides specialized collections and resources that cannot be maintained at each neighborhood branch, for reasons of cost and space. A central library is the only logical repository for unique collections such as the Washingtoniana and Black Studies collections, many of which require temperature controls and archiving capacity that cannot be provided at every branch.  Another example of the specialized resources that depend on a central library is the Adaptive Services Division at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library, which serves as a repository for large-print items and provides assistive technology computer workstations for those with visual and physical impaired, as well as other services.  These important services simply could not be provided on the same scale in our branch libraries. A strong central library is also needed for strong neighborhood branch libraries. The central facility provides materials that can be loaned to the branches, as well as technical assistance to the branches in designing programs and services.  For example, the Adult Literacy Resource Center at the Martin Luther King central library helps the branches establish their own adult literacy collections.
Funding
Would you support a dedicated commitment of a certain percentage of the DC Budget for literacy, libraries, and cultural programming?  If yes, approximately what percentage and why?	I will strongly consider such an approach in order to reestablish our libraries as a key priority and to ensure a sustained commitment irrespective of who may be the political leaders.  Literacy, libraries, and cultural programming are critically important to the development of both the District’s communities and its residents.  In fact, in FY06, I secured $100,000 for the establishment of the Ward 7 Arts Collaborative to develop and increase opportunities for residents in Ward 7 in the arts.  In, FY07, that allocation was increased to $150,000.  As Chair, I will support such investments in all underserved communities.  During my tenure as a Councilmember, I also have supported the allocation of District funds for the renovation of the Anacostia, Benning, Capitol View, and Francis Gregory libraries as well as the Tenley and Watha T. Daniel libraries.  Libraries, together with our schools, are the educational hubs of our communities.  And the District should invest in them to ensure that they have the resources and technology of a 21st century facility.  Finally, if we are ever to close the gap between the haves and the have-nots, then we must invest in literacy.  The Department of Employment Services (DOES) reports that one of the reasons why the District has a high unemployment rate is because many residents lack basic reading and writing skills.  We must invest in literacy to ensure that residents at least have the basic skills to apply for jobs.  Libraries are an important source for facilitating increased literacy.	I don’t believe it is very useful to budget in terms of percentages, because they are a fairly blunt tool – the percentage selected may not be the right one, and can be distorted by the size or growth of other parts of the budget.  A better approach, which I have used as Chairperson of the Committee on Education, Libraries, and Recreation, is to examine per-capita funding.  During my first budget cycle as Committee Chair last year, I asked my staff to compare the District’s per-capita spending on library services to that in other mid-sized cities and counties.  We found that the District fell into the middle pack – behind Seattle; Multnomah County (Portland), Oregon; and Boston, but ahead of Denver, Baltimore, Milwaukee, and Nashville.  Although I was glad to provide an $8 million operating budget increase (almost 25 percent) to the D.C. Public Library in fiscal year 2007 to add Sunday hours, update our book collection, and repair crumbling facilities, the per-capita funding figures show that we also need to get better results with the dollars we spend.
The DC Public Libraries are facing approximately $480 million in deferred maintenance on facilities.  What portion of these costs should be direct appropriation from the District budget?	Although I would consider appropriations for the maintenance needs of facilities on a case-by-case basis, generally I would support appropriations from the District budget sufficient to ensure the safety and efficient usefulness of each facility, until such time as each is renovated.	The District should always seek external sources of funding to reduce the burden on our taxpayers, including federal and private grants, but it is ultimately the D.C. government’s responsibility to provide the funds necessary to renovate our libraries and to make them safe and comfortable places for learning and enjoyment.  I am pleased to state that the D.C. government is on its way to correcting the years of disinvestment in our libraries.  This year, the Mayor proposed and the Council approved a six-year capital plan (covering FY 2007 through FY 2012) of $169.5 million to begin a 10-year process of renovating or rebuilding every branch library in the D.C. Public Library system.  This is an unprecedented level of investment that more than doubles the six-year capital budget approved just one year ago.
The quoted estimate of $480 million does not include the costs to furnish and equip library facilities.  What approaches would you support for the additional funds necessary to appropriately equip library facilities?	In addition to District funding for furnishing and equipping our libraries, the District should engage in public-private partnerships to develop library facilities.  By partnering with developers, technology companies, or businesses, the District could use private investment to fund the accessories of its library facilities.  The District should step up efforts to generate private foundation and corporate support.  Given the city’s renewed commitment, there should be heightened interest in the philanthropic community from entities like the Gates Foundation, of course, and others like “Friends” groups.	I would insist on much closer coordination and alignment between our capital and operating budgets, as I have done as the Chairperson of the Committee on Education, Libraries, and Recreation; the Committee on the Judiciary; and the Committee on Government Operations during my tenure on the Council. Part of closing out every capital project has to be an estimate of the impact and required funding in the operating budget, and this would apply to the furniture, fixtures, supplies, and equipment that we need to purchase every time we open or renovate a library.  One of my priorities as Council Chairman would be to create a much stronger central budget office that would track capital projects and expenditures closely, and help ensure that the Council accounts for the operating impact of capital projects during our annual budget process.
Would you support a bond initiative for the express purpose of rebuilding the DC Public Library System’s facilities?	I would support such an initiative but we will need to determine from the Chief Financial Officer if this will generate sufficient revenue and what the impact is on the District’s debt obligations.  I also support including in the legislation for tax increment financing for development, allocation of a portion of that financing for rebuilding library facilities.	Unlike most states, the District of Columbia does not require a bond initiative or referendum in order to issue bonds to finance public facilities and infrastructure, such as public libraries.  In fact, there is no statutory authority in the District for a bond initiative, and I would not favor the establishment of such a process because it could serve as an additional barrier to the appropriation of capital funds for critical purposes.  With that said, I would point out that we already have a bond initiative of a different sort underway in the District of Columbia.  As I mentioned in my response to question #9, this year the Mayor proposed and the Council approved a six-year, $169.5 million capital spending plan to rebuild or renovate our branch libraries.  In other words, we are already using the full faith and credit of the D.C. government to undertake a major bond initiative on behalf of our libraries.  What we need to do now is to see this program through: to maintain funding through this six-year period and beyond, and to provide strong oversight to ensure that projects are completed on time and within budget, to high standards of quality.
Under what circumstances would you support the redevelopment of library properties by private developers?  How would you address the concerns of many residents who feel that their current stand-alone branches would be lost or overwhelmed by such redevelopment?	I would consider each circumstance on a case-by-case basis.  But, in all circumstances I would consider supporting private development of the library properties in the context of the development of the community.  There are many communities that lack amenities of 21st century living such as retail development, restaurants, theatres, and basic services as dry-cleaning.  However, the current zoning and available land for development may not lend itself for such development independently.  In such circumstances, I would work with the residents to weigh the need for such amenities against the desire for stand-alone branches and lend my support for redevelopment of library properties by private developers accordingly.  One enormous possibility, of course, is to develop housing in conjunction with libraries, which also would encourage increased use.	I know that inappropriate comments about private development possibilities have caused concern in many communities such as the West End, where developers were described as “salivating” for the opportunity to redevelop the property where the West End Library is located.  Community input and participation, rather than the desires of developers, have to drive and infuse any such public-private partnership.  I would certainly seek the input of the local Friends group in evaluating any proposal for private development – and I would not support any nominee to the Board of Library Trustees who was not committed to community input.  In fact, my preference would be for public-public partnerships (see my answer to question #4, in which I discuss the benefits of co-located public services) in which libraries share space with schools or recreation centers.  A key aspect in my evaluation of any public-private partnerships would be the type and amount of the public benefit provided, such as affordable housing above a library site.  It is also critical to ensure that any revenue from public-private partnerships is returned to the library system.  Last year, I moved legislation (which was introduced by Council Chairman Linda W. Cropp) through the Committee on Education, Libraries, and Recreation, and the full Council, that ensures that any revenue derived from the use of library property or assets is returned to the library system for capital and facility improvements.
Roles and Partnerships
How should the DC Public Libraries coordinate their support for the community with other District Agencies?	DCPL should coordinate with DCPS, the State Education Office, the State Education Agency, the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR), the Office of Aging, DOES, and the Family Services Administration (FSA) within the Department of Human Services.  As stated above, DCPL and DCPS should partner to ensure that library research and science are included within the school curriculum, and that for graduation from high school, students are required to complete a research paper, compelling them to use the resources of the library.  A partnership with DPR would facilitate the support and proliferation of tutoring programs.  DCPL should coordinate with the Office of Aging to expand programs of use and interest to our senior residents, such as Introduction to Computers.  Partnering with DOES would facilitate the District’s provision of basic job training skills and job search facilities and resources.  Finally, coordinating with the FSA would support the library in providing social services and information to our homeless population.	Too often, the D.C. Public Library has been forgotten in planning and policy development processes for important programs such as adult literacy efforts, perhaps due to the Library’s status as an independent agency with its own governing board.  At the same time, I would like the Library to be more aggressive in insisting on a seat at the policy table, and will work with newly appointed Library Director Ginnie Cooper and the Board of Library Trustees to that end.  The Library should look for natural synergies with other agencies; for example, the long-term “Master Education Plan” recently released by D.C. Public Schools superintendent Clifford Janey presents many opportunities for a productive partnership between DCPS and DCPL.  As Council Chairman, I will help the D.C. Public Library coordinate its programs with other District agencies by using oversight hearings and the annual agency performance review that I initiated.  The Council’s oversight efforts can help to dismantle agency “stovepipes” and to ensure that dollars flow to the most effective programs, rather than the most successful bureaucratic infighters or the most influential groups.
Many DC Public Schools have either eliminated their libraries or the professional staff responsible for library services.  How should  the DC Public Libraries coordinate their support for the community with the DC Public Schools?	First, as stated above, DCPL should partner with DCPS to ensure that library science and research are contained within the school curriculum.  Second, through this partnership, DCPL should loan some of its staff during daytime hours to school libraries.  Third, DCPL should develop and train a volunteer corps skilled to staff school libraries.  Fourth, DCPL should seek more opportunities to partner with DCPS and DPR to construct multi-use facilities, such as the one planned for Deanwood, so that libraries are not only designed to serve the students enrolled in that particular school, but also the community surrounding the school.  And fifth, full advantage should be taken of geographic proximity and the associated sharing opportunities.  For example, Ann Beers Elementary School is next door to the Gregory Library – a wonderful partnership opportunity.	As the D.C. Public Schools continue to implement new, demanding academic standards (already implemented in math and English/language arts, and under development in science and social studies), the D.C. Public Library should ensure that it has sufficient copies of required reading items that are part of the curriculum.  The librarians at each branch should be directed to consult closely with local schools about upcoming assignments and research projects so that relevant materials will be available at the branches, in “Homework Help” or other distinct areas where items can be easily located.  Children’s librarians should be assigned to visit the neighborhood schools (or host chidlren from the neighborhood schools) at the beginning of the school year to familiarize the students with the library and its resources.  The partnership between the Takoma Park Library and Coolidge High School exemplifies the relationship-building and close coordination that needs to take place.  The quality of school partnerships should be an important aspect of the performance evaluations for branch managers and children’s librarians.
It is estimated that nearly 37% of adult residents of the District of Columbia are functionally illiterate.  What approach would you support for reaching this population to address their ability to read, write, and contribute better to our community?	I support collaboration with DOES, the State Education Agency, and DCPS.  I was proud to co-introduce an amendment to the DOES Budget requiring that agency to spearhead a Workforce Development Strategy to assess all workforce development programs, and develop a comprehensive design of a workforce development system, and a strategic plan for implementation of workforce development.  As mentioned above, DOES reports that the illiteracy rate is a significant contributing factor to the District’s high unemployment rate.  DCPL must be included in this collaborative effort to promote and provide its literacy programs and basic job skills training.  This support should be provided not only at the library branches, but also through effective and strategic use of the library mobile unit.	The first step is to ensure high-quality education in our public schools, so that young people reach adulthood with the skills they need.  To this end, I have worked to ensure adequate funding for our schools – including the enactment this year of a $2 billion, 10-year plan to repair our crumbling school buildings – and to support the efforts of DCPS superintendent Clifford Janey to implement demanding academic standards in math, English, science, and social studies. At the same time, we must address the literacy needs of tens of thousands of adults who lack the skills required in today’s information age.  Literacy programs are fragmented across a number of District agencies, such as the University of the District of Columbia, the State Education Office, the D.C. Public Library, and the Department of Employment Services, and I am pressing these agencies to use outcome and cost-effectiveness measures and focus dollars on the best programs.  The D.C. Public Library, described as the “front door” for adult learners, has an important role to play in the District’s literacy efforts.  During my tenure as Chairperson of the Committee on Education, Libraries, and Recreation, we have expanded library collections of easy-to-read materials for adult learners, pre-GED and GED materials, and materials for adults learning to speak, read, and write in English.  It is important to customize services to meet the varied needs of adult learners, who start at different levels and need services of different intensity.
What role do you see for the DC Public Library in preparing the District residents for emergency situations, such as a terrorist attack?	DCPL should be the source of information in our communities.  And in many neighborhoods, our libraries will be a place of refuge and security as evacuation sites.  Accordingly, DCPL should work with the Advisory Neighborhood Commissioners to maintain an accurate record of addresses and telephone numbers of all residents, particularly our most vulnerable residents such as our seniors and residents with disabilities, and implement the emergency preparedness plan.  And a copy of all emergency preparedness plan and related documents should be available at each library in electronic version and printed copy.	The D.C. Public Library’s vital role in disseminating information – important in so many contexts – is critical in educating residents about how to prepare for a terrorist attack.  The District has established community emergency response plans for 39 neighborhood clusters, but few residents know the details of the plan for their neighborhood.  The community emergency response plans should be available for review and disseminated at our branch libraries, and library meeting rooms are natural places for community discussions of the plans.  The District also has some excellent preparedness guides designed for businesses, families, and schools.  Once again, these guides need to be regularly available at our libraries, which serve as one of the most important ways to provide information to residents of all backgrounds.
What role do you see for the DC Public Library in preparing residents for jobs in an information society?	As stated above, DCPL should be utilized as the source of information in communities.  Definitely, DCPL should coordinate its efforts to provide literacy, job training programs, and information research training programs.  DCPL should also serve as the resource for technology access in our communities.	I see DCPL’s primary role as supporting and reinforcing children’s education at school and providing high-quality adult literacy services for adults, as described in my answer to question #15.  Children’s librarians throughout the library system should work closely with teachers so that libraries can provide resources and assistance that children will need for their school assignments.  “Homework Help” centers, now offered at Lamond Riggs, Petworth, and Washington Highlands libraries, should be added at other libraries so that children have access to computers and guidance from adults in doing their homework.  In addition, the Library system should prepare residents for jobs in an information society through the policies and practices of its own human resources operation.  I have recommended that the Library establish career ladders for its staff.  To that end, the Library should offer volunteer opportunities and internships for high school and college students, and offer opportunities for library technicians to progress to library associate and librarian positions with appropriate education and training.
What role do you see for the DC Public Library in working with the homeless population in the District of Columbia?	As stated above, DCPL should be utilized as the hub of information in our communities.  Particularly with the Martin Luther King Jr., Memorial Library, where many homeless people seek refuge, DCPL should partner with FSA to provide social services and information.  In addition, DCPL should partner with non-profit organizations to provide social services as anonymous substance abuse programs and other support groups.  While I support and promote an atmosphere of inclusion and believe that DCPL should provide programs for the homeless, it is imperative for the safety of library personnel and other patrons, that DCPL have sufficient security personnel as many of our homeless residents have co-occurring conditions of mental health issues and substance abuse.  As a final point, DCPL facilities should be considered as a possible overnight emergency shelter option on hypothermia nights.	First and foremost, the role of the D.C. Public Library in working with homeless people is the same as it is for any other resident of the District of Columbia: to provide access to books, periodicals, technology, and other resources for learning, enrichment, and enjoyment.  Public libraries are cherished institutions because they provide service to all, and the principle of universal service and access must remain central to the libraries’ mission.  I know that the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library, as well as many branch libraries such as Georgetown, West End, and Woodridge are frequented by homeless people looking for a safe and warm place.  In partnership with Councilmember Adrian Fenty, who chairs the Council’s Committee on Human Services, I asked Deputy Mayor for Children, Youth, Families, and Elders Brenda Donald Walker (who oversees homeless, mental health, and library services for Mayor Williams) to increase the government’s outreach to homeless people who frequent the libraries.  Deputy Mayor Walker has assigned staff from the Department of Mental Health and the Community Partnership for the Prevention of Homelessness to provide information and training to library staff how to work with and help homeless people, particularly those with mental illness.