Ed. Note: Register Here.
Thanks to a reader for passing on:
“The DC Community Heritage Project House History Workshop gives community historians, of any skill or knowledge level, an overview of the DC Public Library Washingtoniana Division’s collection. Participants will learn how to research the history of their own home or any other historical property through sessions on: (more…)
Thanks to a reader for sending. It’s been a while since we’ve spotted one but back in the day an officer commented:
“Yes seriously. I am an Officer with this agency and we do respond to calls for service just like MPD or DC Protective Services would. Alot of people don’t realize it but the library is Government property. As a result this department is staffed with government police officers, (083 series) and charged with the law enforcement responsibilities for the system. there are 30 facilities citywide owned and operated by the dcpl and with all the crime in the city it spills over into these buildings, ( government property) daily. All types of incidents occur from thefts, assults, destruction of property, etc. And yes the library is safe because of us. This department has done alot and will continue to do so. Also we are the same job series and have the same duties and mission as DC Protective Services- protect government property, staff, an the public. We just wear a different uniform. Any other questions please feel free to twitter DCLIBRARYPOLICE.”
Ed. Note: @DCLIBRARYPOLICE appears to be inactive.
Though in all seriousness – sounds like they’d be welcomed here.
via DCPL
Thanks to a reader for passing on:
“Grrrl Love and Revolution: Riot Grrrl New York City
This film is showing at Mt. Pleasant Library Thursday [3160 16th St. NW], March 31st at 7:00 p.m.
Mt. Pleasant filmmaker Abby Moser spent most of the 1990s documenting the feminist punk movement Riot Grrrl in NYC. The film that came out of this footage and her own participation in the movement, “Grrrl Love and Revolution: Riot Grrrl NYC”, premiered at the Museum of Modern Art in NYC (2011). The video traces its roots to the Olympia, Washington and Washington DC punk scenes, to radical feminism and the lesbian and gay rights movements of the 70s and 80s, and to early women punk rockers.”
From Collective Action for Safe Spaces (CASS) and Muslim American Women’s Policy Forum (MAWPF):
“Collective Action for Safe Spaces (CASS) and Muslim American Women’s Policy Forum (MAWPF) invite you to join us at the Watha T. Daniel/Shaw Library on Saturday, March 26th at 2pm for Women Wearing Headscarves, an event to reclaim safe public spaces for everyone, especially Muslim communities experiencing Islamophobia in the District.
On the afternoon of Wednesday, March 23rd, CASS Executive Director Jessica Raven witnessed a horrifying act of discrimination and abuse of power by a DC Public Library officer. The officer harassed a woman who was quietly reading in the Shaw Library and intimidated the woman with handcuffs for refusing to remove her hijab. He told the woman to remove the hijab or leave the library. (more…)
4450 Wisconsin Ave, NW
Ed. Note: I’ve no doubt this incident will evoke a passionate response. I just ask that folks please be respectful in doing so. You can say what you wish without insulting the OP or the library staff. Thank you.
“Dear PoPville,
Yesterday at about 330 pm I was sitting in the children’s section of the DC Public Library Branch in Tenleytown next to a shelf of board books for small children. I was nursing my son, as I have several times before there, and reading a book as he was starting to fall asleep.
A woman, who later identified herself as a library assistant, came over to me and said she wanted to “warn” me that “adolescent boys were on their way to the library since school was getting out”, and they were “not used to seeing women breast feed and might make fun of you.” She added that I might want to consider this while I was breastfeeding my son in the library.
I was completely stunned. I remained seated, and continued to nurse my son. I stated that I had the right to feed him in the library, and said I was shocked by these unsolicited comments, and would be posting about this online. She said “Why would you want to do a thing like that?” and began to raise her voice. She stated she would have to file “an incident report”. I asked for her name, and she thrust her identity card out and said her name, and then said “You can even talk to my supervisor, but she’s not here today. Why don’t you just take this to the Director of the Library?” I stated that I had a right to breastfeed in the library and that this was feeling very confrontational. She began to raise her voice, and repeatedly said “this is not a confrontation” and “I never said you can’t breastfeed here.”
I’m saddened that someone would feel they had to “warn” me to reconsider feeding my son in front of other children. I continued to feed my son and remained with him asleep in my arms at the library for another 30 minutes. Many kids, families, and yes – adolescents! came by, and not one person said a word.
There are several things that are confusing to me about her “concern”: (more…)
Photo by PoPville flickr user Richard Brundage
From DCPL:
“The Georgetown Neighborhood Library — and all DC Public Library neighborhood branches — will close early today, Wednesday, March 16, at 5:30 pm.”
901 G Street, NW
From DCPL:
“Memory Lab Launch
Saturday, Feb. 20, 2016, 10 a.m.
901 G St. NW
Washington, D.C. 20001
The Memory Lab officially launches today! Take a tour of our latest DIY space where you can digitize your home movies, scan photographs and slides, and learn how to care for your physical and digital family heirlooms.
Tours will last 20 minutes and will begin at the following times: (more…)
From an email:
“The DC Public Library has released a new video highlighting their artistic and cultural programs – including concerts, the maker-space and even dance parties – as part of their #LoveDCPLGive campaign. The music featured is by local band, Puff Pieces.
The video showcases many of the fun and interesting events they have put on this year in effort to become a central part of D.C.’s burgeoning art scene. DCPL has something to offer everyone in the community ranging from babies who attend story time to artists who perform at live shows to seniors looking to acquire computer skills. With the video the library hopes to encourage District residents to give back to the city and their city’s library by making a contribution to DCPL, which they can do here.”
901 G Street, NW
From a press release:
“Beginning Tuesday, Nov. 17, the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library will accept new passport applications on behalf of the U.S. Department of State. The Library Passport Acceptance Center will be open Tuesday through Thursdays from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. and on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (more…)
Photo by PoPville flickr user Eric Spiegel
From an email:
“In order to be the best resource for D.C. residents, students, employers, and employees, the DC Public Library is looking for your input to help us map out the vision for the Library and help us move from good to great. You can participate online or in person, by filling out the survey or by attending one of three Community Meetings throughout the city:
Thursday, Oct. 1, Tenley-Friendship Library, 6-8 p.m.
4450 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20016; 202-727-1488
Monday, Oct. 5, Shaw (Watha T. Daniel) Library, 6-8 p.m.
1630 7th St NW, Washington, D.C. 20001; 202-727-1288
Thursday, Oct. 8, Anacostia Library, 6-8 p.m.
1800 Good Hope Rd SE, Washington, D.C. 20020; 202-715-7707″