Federation of Friends

Books and Other Library Resources at DCPL- now and in the future
Books are critical to fulfilling the library’s mission. It is what people expect.

Now: Branch library collections are crowded and uneven in quality and content. Why?

• Money: DCPL has not had the funds for books needed by District of Columbia residents. Staff has understandably been hesitant to discard older books for fear that there would be no money for replacements.
• Interlibrary Delivery System: The ability to share books among libraries is a key value of a system. DCPL’s delivery system needs improvement.
• Access to information about what the library owns: The Library’s computerized catalog serves as the gateway to the collection. DCPL’s catalog is inaccurate and difficult to use.

In the future: DCPL will have a collection for the diverse needs of those who live in the District of Columbia through the purchase of a wide range of materials in formats that are popular and on subjects that draw interest:

• By appreciating the printed word and its continued popularity and recognizing that artistic and informational expression comes in many formats.
• Buying books because they are popular for an extended period of time (Popular Fiction, Feature Films) or will always be in demand (Classic Literature, Practice for Standardized Testing).
• Collections specific to local need. Examples: Local History, Ethnic Interest, Homework Help for branches with heavy school-age populations.

We provide books and other library materials in a timely manner. This will be accomplished by:

• Timely ordering and processing so that we buy at a good price and each book and media product is relevant when it lands on our shelves.
• Work with our new procurement authority to assure the timely award of bids and an even flow of material to branches throughout the year.
• Providing accurate information about what we offer through regular upgrades and maintenance of the technical infrastructure.

We will actively maintain the library’s collections by:

• Regularly removing material that is not being used to make room for material that will be used. This activity will vary from library to library, from subject to subject, and from book to book. Having one rule for all materials and all libraries would not work.
• Removing material that is torn, frayed, or moldy and replacing if necessary.
• Beginning a regular replacement schedule of books on a variety of topics to assure that each library will have a core collection of titles.

We will improve DCPL’s electronic collection:
DCPL has been slower than most other libraries to provide electronic resources. People look for information online in databases and on web pages both at the library and from home. Increasingly, people download books, music and video, etc. The library helps bridge the Digital Divide. The growth of the electronic collection will coincide with an increase in computers and computer access at the neighborhood libraries.

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Is the Library buying schlock?
There have been many complaints about the “series” books such as the “For Dummies” and “Complete Idiot’s” guides. While these series may not exude grandeur, they are popular among many of today’s readers. Libraries are very often at the whim of the publishing industry, and the industry has changed dramatically over the last twenty years…as have reading tastes. The series guides contain much of the same information as their more dignified predecessors. They are just presented, branded and marketed differently because publishers have found that this approach sells more books.

Does circulation-the number of books checked out- matter?
Circulation is not the only measurement for public libraries; but it is an important one. When a book is checked out, it means that people using the library are satisfied with what is being bought with their tax dollars. Many appreciate popular materials. Many use the libraries books and other library materials for research and education. One person’s “junk” is another person’s insight into the unknown and pathway to a better life.

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Interim Libraries Coming Soon: Pepco and the Library’s building contractor are close to establishing permanent power at the Benning and Watha T. Daniel/Shaw Interim Libraries. This has been the hold-up and recent rainstorms have made this task more difficult. While both libraries have temporary generators that allow enough light for the contractors to work, it is not enough power to fully operate the building, which is mandatory for opening to the public. When the electrical connection is established, the buildings will open to the public as soon as possible. It’s all of our hope that these interim libraries will open immediately and the communities will again have full access to what DCPL has to offer.

Procurement Legislation Passed!: At the City Council legislative session on Tuesday, July 10 the D.C. Public Library passed the final hurdle in establishing an independent procurement authority. The measure to adopt the Library’s procurement rules was passed unanimously! This is a major accomplishment and will make it easier to buy books and other library material and those that pertain to our efforts to build new libraries. Soon we will have our own procurement staff.

Community Meetings Planned: Community meetings have now been scheduled on building new Benning and Tenley neighborhood libraries. Our first such “Hopes and Dreams” meeting at Anacostia attracted an enthusiastic group of residents. We expect the same to happen here. Although the meetings will be promoted through many channels, it’s important you help get the word out, too! Here is the schedule:
• Benning – July 31, 6:30 pm (BEN Interim Library, 4101 Benning Road, NE)
• Tenley – August 1, 6:30 pm (TEN Interim Library, 4200 Wisconsin Avenue, NW)
A meeting for the Watha T. Daniel/Shaw Neighborhood Library will be scheduled soon.

Benning Neighborhood Library: Many of you are aware that a lawsuit has been filed against the Library, Board of Trustees and Mayor to halt the demolition of the Benning Neighborhood Library and plans to build a new library in its place. Since this is ongoing litigation I cannot comment on the suit and no one in the Library should be making comments. Our General Counsel is working closely with the City’s Office of Attorney General legal staff to litigate this action. I will keep everyone aware as the case moves forward.

New Internet Policy: A change to the Library’s Internet policy is being presented to the Board of Trustees at the July 25th meeting. Before it reaches them, DCPL employees will have an opportunity to comment on the proposed changes so their thoughts and ideas can be incorporated into the Board’s review of the proposed policy.

The DC Council approved three separate measures yesterday that will directly impact the revitalization of DC’s Public Library System. First, the Council has approved a two-year experiment in independent procurement authority for the DC Public Library System. This will allow DCPL to hire and manage its own procurement staff and hopefully cut delays in contract negotiations for critical library services like book, DVD, and audiobook acquisitions. It should also improve the time frames for critical capital investments like construction and furniture contracts.

Second, the DC Council approved the allocation of surplus revenues to fund the replacement of the Georgetown Library. These funds will become available sometime after the end of the fiscal year (September 30), once the availability of the funds is verified by the Chief Financial Officer. This allocation will not place Georgetown ahead of the four closed branches but will ensure its rebuilding without impact on other DCPL capital projects.

Finally, the DC Council approved an emergency measure to sell the land under the West End Library to a developer. The legislation requires the developer to build a new library on the site as part of the development with specific details to be worked out later with the Board of Library Trustees. The legislation also requires the developer submit a Land Disposition Agreement for Council approval as well as a Planned Unit Development (PUD) agreement. All three of these processes should require and provide for opportunities for community input.

Please plan to join me at the Board of Library Trustees meeting scheduled for Wednesday, July 25, 2007 at 6:00 pm at the Benning Interim Library. While it is our understanding that the Library Board was not consulted on the disposition of the West End Library, we think the Board should definitely ask that in the future they assert their role in such decisions more aggressively.