04.28.09
Posted in Information at 12:23 pm by Administrator
Our branch library has been featured in a few ways recently. Check out:
National Public Radio Article: Nannies Take Over Storytime
March 29, 2009
http://www.npr.org/internedition/spring09/?p=891
Also, there is an article in “Public Libraries” from March/April 2009 on “Marketing the Mount Pleasant Library to Transitory Residents.” The article is by Joseph Sikowitz and Ann Carlson Weeks both from the University of Maryland. The article is copyrighted so cannot be distributed broadly but is available at the branch if you’d like to read it.
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Posted in Information at 11:27 am by Administrator
There are a number of things happening in the coming weeks and some important information for you about what’s going on at our Mount Pleasant Neighborhood Library. Here they are:
Youth Arts Fair Event Tomorrow Night! - I hope you’ll all come out to celebrate the hard work of young artists all over our community at the Annual Youth Arts Fair event on Wednesday, April 29, 2009 at 6:00 pm. We host this event every year in partnership with the Mount Pleasant Business Association and it is always a lot of fun! We will need help setting up and taking things down after the party but more than that, this is a great celebration!
New Branch Manager Arriving Monday, May 4, 2009 - Roman Santillan is moving on and we have a new permanent branch manager as of Monday. Helen Hiltz is returning to Mount Pleasant as the Branch Manager. Stop by after Monday to welcome Helen back.
Renovation Update and Fire Safety Discussion - Monday, May 4, 2009 at 6:45 pm. Councilmember Jim Graham and Fire Chief Rubin will be on hand at the branch next Monday to review the current renovation plans and discuss fire safety issues faced by residents around the Mount Pleasant Branch. We may see new designs for the renovation so stop by and see what has happened since the last plans were presented.
Book Sale Success - Our April 11 book sale raised $585 and brought out a lot of people on a wet, rainey holiday weekend. Thanks to everyone that came out to volunteer. We had plenty of helping hands available to set up for the sale and to put things away at the end as well. Good Job!!!
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03.28.09
Posted in Information, Renovation at 1:30 pm by Administrator
On Thursday night, the DC Public Library held their fourth design meeting for the renovation of the Mount Pleasant Library. Based on community feedback and further conversations with staff from both the Commission on Fine Arts and DC Historic Preservation Office, the architects presented an alternate design.
The Commission and Office staff have conceded that the rear sun room may be removed to allow DCPL to relocate the addition to the rear of the property. The new design moves the meeting room to the rear on the first floor, the young adult area to the terrace level, and the ramp along the south side of the building with an entrance on the first floor at the rear as well. A dedicated program room, staff space, and mechanical equipment would comprise the second floor addition.
What was presented to the public at the meeting were sketches. Additional work is needed to clarify the location of staircases, bathrooms, etc. Other issues that haven’t been resolved include the composition of the roof, the skin of the addition, and the configuration of an outdoor reading room off the terrace level that would replace the current driveway and trash area.
The community raised their continued concern about Fire Department access to the rear of buildings along Mount Pleasant and Sixteenth Streets. DCPL committed to arranging a meeting with the Fire Marshall at an upcoming community meeting. DCPL plans to take this design to the April meeting of the Commission on Fine Arts and is continuing to negotiate for interim library space at 3155 Mount Pleasant Street.
Concerns were also raised about the lack of library services in other areas of Ward One. Chief Librarian Cooper reiterated the Board of Library Trustees’ position that no additional locations will be considered until a comprehensive Library Services and Facilities Plan is developed.
DCPL staff committed to putting the new sketches on their Web site (www.dclibrary.org) by the end of the day Friday.
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