Community Design Meeting Summary and Compilation of Public Comments

Location: Benning Interim Library, 4101 Benning Rd. N.E., Washington, D.C. 20019

Meeting Purpose: Public meeting to provide the community with an opportunity to help shape the design of the new Benning Neighborhood Library. A brief overview presentation was given at 6 p.m.; following this, staff was available to discuss the project and answer questions. Comments were given verbally during the meeting.

Meeting Format: Presentation and interactive workshop format.

• The presentation included an overview of project implementation and a discussion of design options.
• A facilitated discussion allowed participants to provide comments and ask questions of District library staff and the project team.

Attendees: Thirty-one community members added their names to the sign-in sheets. Ginnie Cooper, Archie Williams, Jeff Bonvechio, Kim Fuller, Barbara Norland, Elissa Miller and the Benning Interim Library staff represented the DC Public Library. Brenda Richardson represented the DC Library Board of Trustees. The following members of the CirclePoint consulting team attended the meeting: W. Steve Lee and Tosin Durotoye.

Summary of Community Meeting Comments
Library Use Issues

• Should create a testing area with computers for standardized tests such as the SAT.
• Need a larger space for large meetings.
• Will there be a sound media room in the new Benning Library?
• Have any considerations been made to provide retail services in the lower level of the proposed library?
• In surveys, 50% of the community requested a sound media room in the new Benning Library.

Library User Issues

• Would like to see computer training classes offered at the new library.

Library Design Issues (Interior)

• Will the new Benning Library be equipped with indoor sprinklers?
• Once inside, will patrons be able to view the river from the back of the proposed library?
• The interior stairwell in the proposed design seems too wide for the space.
• The graphic presentation of the proposed library makes the interior look cold and gray.

Library Design Issues (Exterior)

• The new Benning Library design is a box. Would it be possible to explore a domed roof?
• Which part of the proposed parking space will belong to the City Interests group and which will belong to DCPL?
• The new library design replaces an old box with a new box.
• Would it be possible to have a portion of the roof serve as an accessible green area?
• Like the grander scale of the proposed library’s rear.
• Would like to see an outdoor reading space at the back of the new library.
• How will the slope in the parking area affect senior and handicapped patrons?

Other

• The Benning Library project should provide jobs for community residents.
• Would like to see a new library design that is beautiful, lovely and transforming.
• Is there dialogue between DCPL and any other organization concerning changing the location of the proposed library?
• The Oxon Hill, Md., library is a great model.
• Has there been any thought given to expanding the proposed Benning Library as funds become available in the future?
• Will the new Benning Library utilize solar energy?
• Would like to see the report outlining the library design decisions.
• Kudos to the new library design.
• It is imperative that the new Benning Library be designed in such a way that an additional floor may be built onto the building in the future.
• Would like to see murals inside the new Benning Library.

The library is scheduled to be open in the early months of 2010. The next public meeting is March 12th, 2008 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Benning Interim Library.