Thanks to Justin for sending around 2:20pm:
“Fire emergency” at mount pleasant library. Sprinkler system flooding the library. Evacuating now. Fire ems on the way.”
Library
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…)
This one’s from Cleveland Park.
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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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Rendering from DC Public Library
“The Mount Pleasant Library will close on March 27, at 5:30 pm, for renovation and expansion. The library will be closed for approximately 17 months. An Interim Library will open on April 19 at 3164 Mount Pleasant St., NW, one-tenth of a mile from the Mount Pleasant Library. Until the Interim opens, please visit the Cleveland Park Library, 3310 Connecticut Avenue, NW. Library materials may be returned to any DC Public Library location.
View photos and site designs of Mount Pleasant Library. The DC Public Library is seeking request for proposals for construction services for the new Mt. Pleasant Library.”
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From the Mt. P Listserv:
“On Wednesday, June 3, 2009, DC Public Library held the second community meeting since showing the public preliminary design plans on March 26, 2009 for an expansion to the rear of the current Mount Pleasant Library building. There were more than forty people in attendance.
Although the public was expecting to discuss at least four design schemes, DCPL showed the already discussed plan to renovate within the existing walls and a plan they are calling Scheme F. DCPL staff concluded that the renovation plan would just not suit their “building program” so in essence the audience was given one choice, Scheme F — there was no compromise on this.
The architect, Henry Myerberg and Associates, presented Scheme F using a slideshow of images depicting the floor layouts and only a couple slides showing the real-world renditions of the expansion. You can find these here >> http://tinyurl.com/dcpl-mtpl-
The full-expansion would increase the size of the library more than 4,500 square feet and extend back from the current building to the library property line. This would put a three-story expansion less than twenty feet from the apartment buildings adjacent and behind the library.
Community comments ranged the spectrum. Some audience members gave the new plans enthusiastic support despite seeing these details for the very first time. Others were visibly frustrated and upset, especially about not being given much choice and the lack of meaningful discussion around fire safety concerns.
So what do you think of the plans? You can also send feedback to The District Dynamos (who sent the original email) at
[email protected]
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A reader sent this renderings from a few libraries around town. I’m sorry there are so small but that was the largest size I could get. Above is what the Petworth Library is proposed to look like after extensive renovations. The project is slated to be completed in Fall 2009, though that seems highly ambitious. The libraries below are supposed to be open to the public by Spring 2010. Which one do you like best?
Here is what Shaw’s is supposed to look like:
Anacostia’s:
Tenleytown:
and Benning:
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photo by Phillip Waller
The Petworth chapter of the Friends of the Library had it’s second meeting this past Monday night. Among the things discussed were ways to raise money, secure members and resources, and work with the libraries wish list and needs. The meeting had a nice turnout, with 10+ people all full of ideas and ready to help out where needed.
The library is such a cornerstone of the community, always busy with patrons both young and old, so this will be a very important venture for us all! The next meeting will be Monday, March 930th at 6:30 at the library. We will be electing officers (Pres, VP, Sec/Treasurer), working on publicity and getting word out to the community, and a few initial fund raisers. We will have forms available there for any of you to become members of the group, or you can email me directly ([email protected]) for the word document/pdf version.
We look forward to a big group so mark your calendars and come support your local library :)
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From an email:
“Friends –
At the Board of Library Trustees meeting Wednesday night, July 23,
2008, Chief Librarian Ginnie Cooper presented a grim picture of the
FY2009 Library Budget and staffing plan. While the Library Budget
will go up slightly (by $16,000), that budget includes $5.6 million
in earmarked enhancements and the elimination of 74 library
positions. This is a 14% reduction in the staffing for DC Public
Libraries. The DC Public Library needs $2 million by October 1, 2008
or the Library will be forced to drastically cut the hours of
operation of all our libraries. Continues after the jump. (more…)
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What better way to experience the history of our wonderful neighborhood in a single afternoon than a stroll along the Mt. Pleasant Heritage Trail, huh? Well, since it was about ten million degrees out on Saturday, I’m going to have to complete the second half of the trail on another day, but allow me to welcome you to the first of what will be a multi-part post on the stops along the way.
Before I went along my merry way, I picked up a trail booklet at Pfieffer’s Hardware. You can find out where else to get one, or download it from the web here. I spent a little time reading through and learned quite a bit of interesting information about good old Mt. P. Did you know that Mt. Pleasant originally extended as far east as 7th Street? Me neither! It wasn’t until 1903, about 40 years after Mt. Pleasant came to be, that electric street cars began running on Mt. Pleasant Street, businesses started sprouting up, developers started building houses and apartment buildings and Mt. Pleasant began to morph into the neighborhood I know and love today.
Moving along…The trail starts at 16th and Mt. Pleasant Streets and runs north along 16th to Newton, then west on Newton and down 19th Street all the way to Adams Mill Road, back east on Park Road and south on Mt. Pleasant Street, back to where you started from, all with 17 stops along the way. I had originally envisioned this as a 17 part series with a post about each stop, but as I made my way along I realized that might not be too interesting. Who knows if I’ll be able to hold your attention better this way – but I’ve decided to tackle this 3-4 stops at a time and highlight one or two of my choosing. So, here we go… Post continues after the jump with more photos. (more…)