Martin Luther King, Jr. Program at Woodridge Library - Wednesday, January 16

What: The Woodridge Neighborhood Library is hosting an open forum - "Reminiscences of April 4, 1968: How the Assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. Affected Our Community" - in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday. Participants will share their thoughts of the day that Dr. King was assassinated, the impact of his death, and the subsequent events following this tragedy.

When: Wednesday, January 16 at 7 p.m.

Where: Woodridge Neighborhood Library, 1801 Hamlin Street NE

Additional Information: Call the library at 202.541.6226

Quick Links - Catching Up

» "Beacon House Falcons Win Super Bowl" - WaPo, Monday, December 10 - see background here.

» "8 Fired From System; 30 Choose to Retire" - WaPo, Sunday, December 9 (6 days after I announced it - this should have been bigger news)

Almost 40 employees of the D.C. Public Library system -- about 10 percent of the workforce -- will be leaving their jobs in early January as part of what officials describe as a plan to "transform" the beleaguered system and rejuvenate its personnel.
The group leaving includes the head librarians of seven of the District's 27 libraries.
The head librarians at the Mount Pleasant, Petworth and Woodridge branches were fired, along with five subject specialists at the central Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library. The eight were let go "without cause" on Nov. 29 or 30, officials said. They were placed on paid administrative leave through Dec. 31, then accompanied to their desks to retrieve their belongings and escorted out the door.

» Vincent Orange elected to Capital Riverfront BID board - Washington Biz Journal, Wednesday, December 5

» From a neighbor: daytime break-ins have increased around Evarts, 28th, and 30th since construction has started on the South Dakota bridge.

» New Brookland Listservs! Do you want announcements without some of the usual list drama? Sign up for the Brookland Announcements List. Also check out the new Brookland Yoga Listserv.

» NoMa BID has updated their website.

Woodridge Head Librarian Fired Firday; Firings at Other Branches

I can't yet find documentation of the most recent housecleaning at DCPL, but Woodridge's head librarian, Mary Cooper, was fired along with a number of other branch librarians on Friday, November 30. I believe (though anyone with more accurate info is encouraged to post a comment) that those let go included the Petworth and Mt. Pleasant head librarians.

This comes on the heels of DCPL's November 7 announcement that a number of branches will no longer have Sunday service through the holiday season (and beyond?) "due to anticipated staff shortages [at] some libraries," including Woodridge.

Sunday service will be maintained at:
· Anacostia
· Benning
· Cleveland Park
· Lamond Riggs
· Martin Luther King Jr., Memorial Library
· Mt. Pleasant Southeast
· Takoma Park
· Tenley
· Washington Highlands
· Watha T. Daniel / Shaw
· West End

Woodridge Library Book Sale - Saturday, December 1

What: The Friends of the Woodridge Library used book sale. We (disclosure: I am a member of the Friends - we'd love for you to join our group!) have hardcovers, paperbacks, fiction, non-fiction, books for adults, books for children, books on tape, records, videos/DVDs, and much more. All proceeds benefit the Woodridge Library.

When: Saturday, December 1, 2007, 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m.

Where: Woodridge Neighborhood Library basement, 1801 Hamlin Street, NE (at the corner of 18th and Rhode Island Avenue)

Etc.: We are always accepting donations of books, videos/DVDs, records, comic books, and the like. For additional information call the library at 202.541.6226 or e-mail the Friends at woodridgefriends@yahoo.com.

Woodridge Library Programs This Weekend

The Woodridge Branch Library is having two programs of interest to the community this weekend.

The First Annual Multicultural Program will be held on Saturday, October 20th from 1:30-3:30 p.m. This is a family program for all ages.

On Sunday, October 21st, a celebration of Young Adult reading will be held for teens ages 12-19 from 2:00-3:30 p.m. Holla'Back and Teen Read Week participants can extend the fun of reading, games, chats, and more - including door prizes and refreshments!

The Woodridge Library is located at 1801 Hamlin Street, NE at the south corner of Rhode Island Avenue and 18th Street.

For more information call the library at 202.541.6226.

Friends of the Woodridge Library Monthly Meeting - Saturday, September 8th

I'm currently on hiatus from the Friends of the Woodridge Library due to a scheduling conflict with my monthly DC Neighborhood College classes, but this was the first group I became involved with when I moved to Woodridge, and we are always looking for new members. FWL raises money to support programs and services at the library and works with other like-minded groups to advocate on behalf of all the city's libraries. Part of this month's agenda will include tentative scheduling for our fall book sale.

When: Saturday, September 8th, 2007, 11 a.m.

Where: Woodridge Branch Library, 1801 Hamlin Street NE (on the south corner of Hamlin and Rhode Island Avenue)

Join the Friends of the Woodridge Library in DC's Big Read

Their Eyes Were Watching God, the brilliant novel published in 1937 by Zora Neale Hurston, is the focus of THE BIG READ, a city-wide reading event in April and May created by the National Endowment for the Arts. Everyone in the city will be reading the same book at the same time!

DC's Big Read is part of the The Big Read, an initiative of the National Endowment of the Arts in partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library Services and Arts Midwest. DC's Big Read is presented by the Humanities Council of Washington, DC and the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities.

The events below are at the Woodridge Library, 1801 Hamlin Street, NE (at the corner of 18th and Rhode Island Avenue, NE).

Now through May 19th, 2007
Book display, "Remembering Zora Neale Hurston"

Monday, April 30th, 2007, 6:30pm
Join us for a video presentation of the film "Their Eyes Were Watching God," produced by Oprah Winfrey, starring Halle Berry. The Friends of the Woodridge Library (FWL) will provide refreshments. The branch has copies of the book for check-out; FWL has provided a limited number of copies to give away if the recipient commits to attending and participating in the May 2nd discussion (details below).

Wednesday, May 2nd, 2007, 6pm
With refreshments provided by FWL, DC performer, author and playwright Joy Jones will kick off discussion of the novel. Joy says, "I discovered Zora Neale Hurston in college and it was like discovering chocolate. The study of literature suddenly became delicious!"

Ms. Jones grew up in NE an avid reader and regular patron at Woodridge Library. She still visits DCPL for books many times a month. Her recent op-ed piece in the Washington Post, "Marriage is for White People," received national attention.

Reading groups and book clubs are especially urged to attend, to share information about the book, and also to tell how to form a good book club and make it work. The Literary Friends have prepared a book box filled with materials about Hurston that book groups can borrow.

» Details on DC Big Read events at MLK and branch libraries around the city [pdf]

SMD 5A-11 Meeting - Monday, February 12th

What: ANC Commissioner Janae Grant is holding a SMD 5A-11 meeting

When: Monday, February 12th, 2007, 6:30-8:30pm

Where: Taft Recreation Center, 1800 Perry Street, NE

Additonal information: Contact Commissioner Grant at gelysia@yahoo.com or 202.832.0926

Woodridge Library Book Sale - Saturday, October 28th

What: The Friends of the Woodridge Library used book sale. We (disclosure: I am a member of the Friends - we'd love for you to join our group!) have hardcovers, paperbacks, fiction, non-fiction, books for adults, books for children, books on tape, records, videos/DVDs, and much more. All proceeds benefit the Woodridge Library.

When: Saturday, October 28th, 2006, 9:30am-4pm

Where: Woodridge Neighborhood Library basement, 1801 Hamlin Street, NE (at the corner of 18th and Rhode Island Avenue)

Etc.: We are always accepting donations of books, videos/DVDs, records, comic books, and the like. For additional information call the library at 202.541.6226 or e-mail the Friends at woodridgefriends@yahoo.com.

Teen Book Discussion at the Woodridge Library - Wednesday, October 25th

What: Teens are invited to share their thoughts on The First Part Last by Angela Johnson, Coretta Scott King Author Award winner. This novel is about a teenage father and his struggles to raise his child. All are welcome - even if you haven't read the book, the discussion will be of interest!

When: Wednesday, October 25th, 2006 at 5:30pm

Where: Woodridge Neighborhood Library, 1801 Hamlin Street, NE (at the corner of 18th and Rhode Island Avenue)

DCPL/Woodridge Library Updates and Upcoming Events

You may have heard that all DC Public Libraries, with the exception of the Deanwood Kiosk, are now wired for free Wi-Fi.

Also, as of this past Sunday, October 15th, 2006, MLK, Jr. and all full-service branch libraries will be open from 1-5pm every Sunday. From the DCPL press release:

The exceptions are the four small community libraries and the Deanwood Kiosk, which will continue to be open Monday through Friday. "Sundays are generally when families spend the most time together so it’s great they will now be able to make their local branch library a family activity where every member can find something they enjoy," said Ginnie Cooper, the D.C. Public Library’s Chief Librarian. "Whether it’s families or individual residents, we’re going to be attracting groups of people who wouldn’t normally have time to come to the library during the week. This is going to enable us to serve many, many more people who have information needs but perhaps did not have time to get their needs met."

....

In addition to the new hours, Chief Librarian Ginnie Cooper announced that beginning immediately there is no longer an age limit for children to obtain a library card, and no longer will there be a children’s handwriting requirement for a child to apply for a card. Now, parents and guardians may apply for a library card for very young children and it will be issued in the child’s name. Cooper says this change will help to encourage children to read at a younger age, which is a hallmark of her library philosophy. She continued by saying, "Our former policy is historically common, and may still exist at other libraries. I have had the pleasure of changing similar policies at other places."

We are definitely taking baby-steps in the right direction.

___________

The Woodridge Library, 1801 Hamlin Street, NE (at the corner of 18th and Rhode Island Avenue), invites young adults and parents to meet Melinda Robertson, author of "Motherhood...What You Don't Know!", for a discussion and book signing this Friday, October 20th, 2006 at 5:30pm.

From the author's website:

"The book serves two purposes. One to show how complex motherhood really is, as it is intended to provoke young women to think about what it would really mean to have a baby. Secondly, Nicole, the main character, can be an encouragement to the thousands of teenage mothers raising children today, because [of] the 'straight talk, no chaser' conversations Nicole's mother has with her...."

- - -

Woodridge is also hosting an adult book discussion on Tuesday, October 24th, 2006 at 2pm. Come and bring your favorite book to share with others - all are welcome! Participants in the Adult Summer Reading Program will discuss the books they've read.

- - -

Preschool storytime (ages 3-5) is scheduled for Thursdays at 10:30am. Call the Woodridge Branch for additional information on these and other programs at 202.541.6226.

Spring Book Sale at the Woodridge Library Saturday, April 29th

What: The Friends of the Woodridge Library Spring Book Sale

When: Saturday, April 29th, 2006 from 9:30am to 4pm

Where: Woodridge Library, 1801 Hamlin Street, NE (corner of 18th and Rhode Island Avenue, NE)

About: Find cooking, fiction, self-help, religion, history, romance, biography, children's, books on tape, videos, records, and much more. All proceeds from the sale will benefit the Woodridge Library. For more information, call the library at (202) 541-6226 or e-mail the Friends at woodridgefriends@yahoo.com.

I'll be working the book sale all day - I'd love to see you there!

DCPL Events Saturday, April 22nd: "Fix It Up" Campaign and Town Hall Meeting on the Mayor's Proposal for a New Central Library

Please, if at all possible, attend the townhall meeting this coming Saturday, April 22nd, at 1pm. The letter below, sent to neighborhood Friends of the Libraries (I belong to the Friends of the Woodridge Library), outlines the many concerns of community members. Whether or not you were able to attend one of the "Listening Sessions" earlier this year, I urge you to make your voice heard this weekend (it looks like you should call in advance if you plan on providing testimony; I hope there is some time carved out for open comments/discussion...).

I am a bit dismayed at the timing - this weeked the Woodridge, Capitol View, Francis A. Gregory, and Chevy Chase branches are closed on Saturday (Earth Day!) for a "Fix It Up" campaign from 9am - 2pm. We still need volunteers (and a working elevator at Woodridge, but I digress), yet it is imperative that the community continues to give input into the future of DCPL. Please come out early to volunteer for a few hours and then make your way downtown in time for the meeting. There's very little we can get done at the branches in just 5 hours with a handful of people, and I guarantee you that the Mayor, the Council, and the DCPL Board of Trustees can't be held responsible for their decisions if we aren't there to tell them what we expect for the future of DCPL.

Note: All emphasis below is mine.

Friends –

I wanted to alert you to an emerging issue surrounding the potential disposition of the main DC Public library, the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library at 901 G Street, NW. Councilmember Kathy Patterson has scheduled a "Town Hall Meeting" on the specific provisions of the Mayor's legislation for this Saturday, April 22 at 1:00 pm in the main hall of the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library.

Mayor Williams has inserted language into the Budget Support Act of 2007 that would allow the current home of the main DC Public Library to be leased to a private entity for 99 years. A relocation of the main library is currently proposed somewhere on the Old Convention Center site some two blocks form the current building. The Mayor's legislation goes on to grant the Mayor or his designee powers to negotiate both PILOTs (payments in lieu of taxes) and TIFs (taxes in lieu of financing) as well as issue bonds to finance the construction. All funds are directed to go into or come out of a Library Development Trust Fund that was established in a January 2006 law, the Library Enhancement, Assessment and Development Act (LEAD Act).

As the President of the Federation of Friends of the DC Public Library, I am concerned by both the lack of public involvement and the lack of clarity regarding the final product and how it will serve the residents of the District of Columbia. The Board of Library Trustees has never discussed any of these specifics in public session and they have passed no resolution in the last two years beyond a general "sense of the board" that they would support a relocation of the main library.

The Councilmember has scheduled this hearing during a Council recess in order to give the public a chance to comment on the proposal before the District budget is considered by the Council's Committee of the Whole in early May. One hearing on the Budget Support Act was already held (Tuesday, April 11) and the Mayor brought in Directors from two library systems (Brooklyn and Salt Lake City) to testify. There was no testimony from the public at that time because the specifics of the Act had not been brought to the attention of Councilmember Patterson (Chair of the Committee on Education, Libraries and Recreation), the Board of Library Trustees, or the Friends of the Library.

Whatever your personal opinion about the current home of the main library, I hope that you will consider joining me in speaking out at the town hall meeting this Saturday. The Council and the residents of the District of Columbia need to hear clearly that citizen involvement is not a hurdle but a tool for achieving real progress. The main library of the District of Columbia should not be a political football, tossed between politicians, developers, and bureaucrats. The residents of the District of Columbia deserve a living memorial to Mr. Martin Luther King, Jr. A living memorial dedicated to improving the lives of every resident of the District of Columbia and supporting their dreams while improving their reality.

If you would like to provide testimony at the hearing, please contact the Council Committee on Education, Libraries and Recreation at 202-724-8195. I hope to see you at the Town Hall Meeting this Saturday, April 22, 2006 at 1:00 pm in the lobby of the MLK Library, 901 G Street, NW.

Richard Huffine, President
Federation of Friends of the DC Public Library
richardhuffine@yahoo.com
http://www.dclibraryfriends.org/