Library

“Funk Music Megastar”, George Clinton, coming to MLK Library Saturday

By Prince Of Petworth

From DCPL:

“Who: George Clinton, singer, songwriter, bandleader, music producer and architect of Funk.

What: Shares memories and life stories from his new autobiography “Brothas Be, Yo Like George, Ain’t That Funkin’ Kinda Hard on You?”

When: Saturday, Nov. 1, 6:30 p.m.

Where: Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library;
901 G St. NW

George Clinton dominated the soul charts with a new sound, a diaper-clad guitarist, and a spaceship onstage during concerts. How George Clinton became a funk music megastar is a story for the ages. His autobiography, “Brothas Be, Yo Like George, Ain’t That Funkin’ Kinda Hard on You?,” provides insight into how he changed America’s music industry with wit, humor, and candor.

Also at Friday’s event, African Ancestry Inc. will reveal George Clinton’s ancestral DNA.

Due to expected high attendance registration for this event is required, and pre-purchase of the book is strongly recommended. To register and pre-purchase a book, visit here.”

Book Talk at the Shaw Library Tuesday Night: “S Street Rising: Crack, Murder, and Redemption in D.C.”

By Prince Of Petworth

book_talk

From DCPL:

“Watha T. Daniel/Shaw Library
1630 7th St. NW
Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2014, 6:30 p.m.

During the height of the crack epidemic that decimated the streets of D.C., Ruben Castaneda covered the crime beat for The Washington Post. The first in his family to graduate from college, he had landed a job at one of the country’s premier newspapers.

But his apparent success masked a devastating secret: he was a crack addict.

Even as he covered the drug-fueled violence that was destroying the city, he was prowling S Street NW, a 24/7 open-air crack market, during his off hours. S Street Rising is a study of the city itself as it tried to rise above an era of crime and violence that earned Washington the title of “Murder Capital.”

Join Castaneda as he shares his professional and personal experiences as a crime reporter in late 1980s and 1990s Washington, a city then under siege.”

Punk Farm Family Fun Day Sunday at Mt Pleasant Neighborhood Library Sunday

By Prince Of Petworth

mt_pleasant_library
3160 16th Street, NW

Thanks to textdoc for passing on:

“Punk Farm Family Fun Day Sunday at Mt Pleasant Neighborhood Library

Bring the family to rock out during a special Punk Rock Family Fun Day Sunday. We’ll have music, share stories, and have a blast in honor of the DC Punk Archive. Children of all ages and their families are welcome to attend.

The event will be held Sunday, October 12th at 2pm in the Children’s Room on the second floor of the library. 3160 16th Street, NW”

Marion Barry talk at MLK Library Thursday

By Prince Of Petworth

mlk_library_dc
901 G Street, NW

From an email:

“Author Talk: Marion Barry
Marion Barry will discuss his autobiography “Mayor for Life: The Incredible Story of Marion Barry, Jr.,” Thursday, July 10, 7 p.m., Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library. Book signing follows. Presented in partnership with the Oracle Group. Register now.”

Demolition of Old Woodridge Library to Make Way for new $16.5 million State-of-the-Art Facility in 2015

By Prince Of Petworth

IMG_5150
2206 Rhode Island Ave, NE

From a press release:

“Mayor Vincent C. Gray and D.C. Public Library (DCPL) Executive Director Richard Reyes-Gavilan celebrated the demolition of the old Woodridge Library. Both leaders praised the community’s involvement in the planning of the new Woodridge Library.

While the new Woodridge Library was being designed, DCPL representatives attended numerous neighborhood meetings to hear from the community what library services were most important. In addition, the architecture team of Wiencek + Associates and Bing Thom Architects attended four meetings hosted by the Friends of the Woodridge Library to review the designs.

The new Woodridge Library will open in 2015. It will be 20,000 square feet and feature separate spaces for adults, teens and children; 40,000 books, CDs, DVDs, and other library materials; comfortable seating for 200 customers; 40 public-access computers and free Wi-Fi Internet access; a large programming room for up to 100 people; and two conference rooms for up to 14 people. It will also be the first library to have a roof terrace that will also serve as a space for library programming.

IMG_5152

During construction, the Woodridge Interim Library is operating three blocks south of the old library at 1790 Douglas Street NE. Updates on the construction of the new library will be shared with the public on the Woodridge Library construction blog.

Coakley Williams, Inc. and Blue Skye Development, LLC have partnered to build the new library under the Library’s Mentor-Protege program. Developed with the D.C. Department of Small and Local Business Development, the program creates opportunities for smaller firms to gain experience working on government contracts. The total budget for design and construction is $16.5 million.”

IMG_5151

“A Spy For the Union” – Thursday April 17th at 7 pm in the Great Hall of the MLK Library

By Prince Of Petworth

mlk_library_dc
901 G Street, NW

From an email:

“On Thursday April 17th at 7 pm in the Great Hall of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library the DC Public Library is proud to welcome author Corey Recko as he speaks about his new book “A Spy For the Union.” Join us as we learn the story of Timothy Webster and his life and careers as a New York City policeman and a military spy. In the mid-1850s, he left the police department and took a job for Allan Pinkerton with his newly formed detective agency. It was as a Pinkerton detective that Webster helped uncover a plot to assassinate President-elect Abraham Lincoln in 1861.

Webster went on to serve the United States as a spy in the Civil War. For a time he was the Union’s top agent, but his career came to an abrupt end when he was betrayed and became the first spy executed in the Civil War.

This program is free and open to the public [but requires a ticket]. Thank you, and we look forward to you joining us for this interesting presentation.”

Richard Reyes-Gavilan from the Brooklyn Library has been Hired as DC’s Chief Librarian

By Prince Of Petworth

dc_chief_librarian
Photo by PoPville flickr user ewilfong

From a press release:

“Today, Mayor Vincent C. Gray and the D.C. Public Library (DCPL) Board of Trustees announced that Richard Reyes-Gavilan has been named the DCPL’s new Executive Director.

Reyes-Gavilan, 44, currently serves as the Chief Librarian for the Brooklyn Public Library, a position he has held since 2011. He was selected from a national search conducted by the DCPL Board of Trustees to replace Chief Librarian Ginnie Cooper, who retired on October 31, 2013.

“Since 2006, the D.C. Public Library system has gone from something overlooked by far too many District residents to being a vital part of communities across our city,” said Mayor Gray. “With Richard taking the helm in March, I’m confident that this transformation will continue, and District residents are going to be impressed and amazed by what their libraries have to offer.” (more…)

From the Files of Who Knew? Vol. 86 – DC Public Library Has a Police Force

By Prince Of Petworth

A reader spots a DC Public Library Police car and asks:

“To get overdue library books back?? Has anyone else seen this cruiser, or know what the story is? thanks!”

Remember Detective Mr. Bookman:

I don’t judge a man by the length of his hair or the kind of music he listens to. Rock was never my bag. But you put on a pair of shoes when you walk into the New York Public Library, fella.

Let me tell you something, funny boy… You know that little stamp? The one that says New York Public Library? Well, that may not mean anything to you, but that means a lot to me. One whole helluva lot. Sure, go ahead, laugh if you want to. I’ve seen your type before — flashy, making the scene, flaunting convention. Yeah, I know what you’re thinking… Why’s this guy making such a big stink about old library books? Let me give you a hint, junior. Maybe we can live without libraries, people like you and me…. Maybe. Sure, we’re too old to change the world. What about that kid, sitting down, opening a book right now in a branch of the local library and finding pictures of pee-pees and wee-wees in The Cat in the Hat and The Five Chinese Brothers. Doesn’t he deserve better? Look, if you think this is about overdue fines and missing books, you’d better think again. This is about that kid’s right to read a book without getting his mind warped. Or maybe that turns you on, Seinfeld… Maybe that’s how you get your kicks… You and your goodtime buddies… I’ve got a flash for you, joy boy. Partytime is over.

In 2009 flickr user justindc also saw the vehicle:

In the comments an officer wrote:

“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.”

Though DCLIBRARYPOLICE appears to be inactive on twitter today.

DC Public Library’s Media Rep. confirms that the Library does have a police department. More info coming later this afternoon.

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