THE CHIEF LIBRARIAN’S REPORT

LIBRARY NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

MAY 27, 2009

1. STIMULUS MONEY TO IMPROVE ENERGY EFFICIENCY

The DC Department of the Environment has recommended an award of $1.5 million
to DCPL for projects that will improve the energy efficiency of our facilities. It is part
of the Federal Government Stimulus Package. The plan is to install energy-efficient
lighting, new windows and doors, and an energy efficient heating and cooling system
in nine neighborhood libraries, and to upgrade the air circulation systems in two
libraries. Funding is expected in late summer.

2. TEENS OF DISTINCTION PROGRAM WINS MAJOR AWARD

The DCPL Teens of Distinction Program will be presented with the 2009 Urban
Libraries Council (ULC) Highsmith Award of Excellence at the ULC’s annual
conference in July. This award is open to urban libraries throughout North America.
The selection committee’s evaluation is based on three elements. The program:
• Is developed with youth.
• Results in youth contributing to their communities, having meaningful
relationships with adults and peers, and developing personal and social skills.
• Helps prepare youth for educational and personal challenges.
Luis Herrera, Chair of the selection committee and Director of the San Francisco
Public Library, said, “What sets this library program apart is its holistic approach to
youth development—from workforce readiness and gainful employment to leadership
development and community involvement. This is a model program that is truly
making an impact on youth and community in the District of Columbia.”

3. A CELEBRATION OF CHILDREN AND BOOKS @ DOS BIBLIOTECAS

Día de Los Niños/Día de los Libros (Day of the Children/Day of the Books) was
celebrated at two neighborhood libraries, Petworth and Mt. Pleasant. Dozens of
children and their families enjoyed a day of festivities at Petworth that included
Goombay, a Caribbean musical group, and Teatro de la Luna, a theater group from
the Petworth neighborhood that presents plays in Spanish and English. The day
included refreshments, balloons, and a piñata. A celebration with stories, singing, and
dancing for children was a great success at Mt. Pleasant. Children at both locations
received free books in Spanish and English, compliments of the Reading Is
Fundamental (RIF) program.

4. DTV CONVERSION WORKSHOPS UNDER WAY

DCPL, in partnership with Radio Shack and the Maryland, DC, and Delaware
Broadcasters Association, is hosting digital television conversion (DTC) workshops
to help residents prepare for the conversion on June 12th. Practical questions will be
the focus of the nine workshops, which are being held at Libraries in every sector of
the city, at different times of day, to ensure the easy availability of these

Document #7
Board of Library Trustees Meeting
May 27, 2009
 informational meetings for all residents. The workshops are led by Radio Shack DTV
experts.

5. DCPL IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION

DCPL’s Community Youth Services (CYS) staff was a major partner with the
Smithsonian’s National Museum of African Art for the Museum’s Africa Book Club.
CYS staff members helped select book titles and design collateral materials for the
project, which was targeted for children in three local schools. In return, the
Smithsonian gave a collection of children’s books set in Africa to the Martin Luther
King, Jr., Mt. Pleasant, and Washington Highlands Libraries.

6. GOOD HEALTH TAKES CENTER STAGE FOR STORY TIME

Washington Highlands Neighborhood Library welcomed special guests for a story
time for young children. Pre-med students from George Washington University had
the unusual assignment of reading books and engaging the young children who
attended that day in conversation about what happens at the doctors’ office. The
objectives—to talk about the good things that happen when we take care of our
bodies and to ease the fear that children feel when they go for check-ups (and
shots!)—were achieved, judging by the children’s enthusiastic chatter and smiles of
the teachers.

7. A LINCOLN LECTURE AND U.S. MARINE BAND BRASS QUINTET PERFORMANCE

Woodridge Neighborhood Library recently hosted a special evening event to honor
Abraham Lincoln. Dr. Edna Medford, Associate Professor and former Director of the
Department of History at Howard University, is a nationally recognized Lincoln
scholar. Dr. Medford presented a lecture entitled “Abraham Lincoln and Black
Freedom in the District of Columbia” that tracked President Lincoln’s changing
thinking about slavery as a Constitutional/legal matter and as a moral behavior. The
U.S. Marine Band Brass Quintet played Battle Cry for Freedom and the Marine
Corps Hymn, among several other selections for the appreciative audience. An
informal reception followed the main events.

8. DCPL CELEBRATES STUART-HOBSON MIDDLE SCHOOL’S ARCHIVAL PROJECT

In its role as a “state library,” DCPL awarded a sub-grant from the Institute of
Museum and Library Services (IMLS) to the Stuart-Hobson Middle School’s Find the
Missing Pieces archival project. During the recent National Library Week, the head of
IMLS, Dr. Ann-Imelda Radice, honored the students, school librarian, and two
archivists, for rescuing so many pieces of the Capitol Hill school’s unusual history
from the 1920s through the 1960s and building a permanent archive for current and
future students to use in their research. The project, which was two years in the
making, included student-conducted interviews of adults in the neighborhood who
went to the school as long as 40 years earlier. Lucy Labson, DCPL Grants Manager,
congratulated all who worked on the project, and helped bury a time capsule on the
school grounds.

Document #7
Board of Library Trustees Meeting
May 27, 2009
 9. MOTHER’S DAY AT PALISADES LIBRARY
On Saturday, May 9th, the Palisades Neighborhood Library celebrated Mother’s Day
with afternoon tea. Three tables were filled with mothers and daughters. (One mother
came with four of her five daughters!) They drank tea in china cups that had been
poured from a real tea service—hot chocolate was an alternative—and enjoyed tea
sandwiches, scones, and sweet treats. Children’s staff member Jess Stork organized a
simple, but elegant, craft for mothers and grandmothers in attendance, and she read
aloud stories about motherhood. Each table had a centerpiece that gave tribute to a
literary mother—Old Mother Hubbard, Harry Potter’s Mrs. Weasley, and Peter Pan’s
Mrs. Darling. The Palisades Friends group lent financial support to the program. And,
yes, there will be a Father’s Day equal-opportunity event—a Pirates’ Picnic. Stay
tuned.

10. THE BIG READ DC 2009 FINDS INSPIRATION IN THE SOUTH OF THE 1930S
Carson McCullers’ The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter is the book chosen by the District
for this year’s month-long series of activities collectively known as TheBig Read. The
kick-off event, which was held at Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library on May
2nd, highlighted guest readings, music, drama, a workshop, chess, book bingo, and
community service—something to capture the imagination of attendees of all ages.
Themes, characters, the setting, and the period in which the story takes place have
been at the center of events throughout the Library. Famous films, a chess workshop,
displays of photos and newspapers from the 1930s, a discussion with teens about
solidifying ones values, professor-led book discussions, and a creative writing
workshop are among the diverse offerings, all of which were well-attended.

11. MANY OPTIONS FOR A CREATIVE TIME OUT AT DCPL— HOW ABOUT JOINING
IN…
■ “Tango Practice” at West End Neighborhood Library at 2:30 PM on Saturdays?
■ “Tech Tuesdays” at Watha T. Daniel/Shaw Interim Library at 4 PM?
■ “Scrabble Club,” leveled to fit all ages, at Juanita E. Thornton/Shepherd Park
Neighborhood Library at 1 PM on Saturdays?
■ “Step Aerobics” at Capitol View Neighborhood Library at 6:30 PM on Mondays
and Wednesdays?
■ “Teen ‘Zine Program” for creative writing and information on e-publishing for
young adults on Mondays at 4:30 PM and Tuesdays at 3:30 PM at Petworth
Neighborhood Library?
■ “From Haiku to Hip Hop: The Art of Poetry” for young adults at the Benning
Interim Library at 6 PM on Thursdays?

Document #7
Board of Library Trustees Meeting
May 27, 2009