Library Response to Hopes and Dreams Session

A community meeting was conducted early in the planning stages for the new library with the purpose of listening to the attendees’ “hopes and dreams” for the new Benning Neighborhood Library.

Fifty-three community members added their names to the sign-in sheets. DCPL Chief Librarian Ginnie Cooper and other staff representing DCPL were there to listen.

After a presentation about the new library project, the meeting participants were given the opportunity to discuss and identify their top service priorities using the Public Library Association’s Public Library Service Responses (18 categories to choose from) as a guide. Since the meeting, DCPL has worked with the architects to ensure the top six identified priorities will be addressed in the design of the new building.

1) Succeed in School: Homework Help
Using both the print collection and electronic resources (including the online service Live Homework Help), librarians will work with students to help ensure their success. Students will have access to the library PCs, as well as wireless access for people with laptop computers and other electronic devices. In addition, there will be spaces for individual study, tutoring and group study to facilitate student learning.

2) Create Young Readers: Early Literacy
The Benning Neighborhood Library will have ample space devoted to children’s services, which will include early literacy workstations, online access, a large collection of print and non-print resources (CD books, DVDs, mixed-media kits, etc.) for children. Children’s librarians will provide regular story programs in which they will model early literacy behaviors and will offer reader’s advisory services to children and their caregivers to encourage reading and early literacy.

3) Be an Informed Citizen: Local, National and World Affairs
The new library will have ample space for the local community to meet formally and informally. The large meeting room will provide space for community programs. Access to current information – print and electronic – will provide connections to local, national and world affairs. Branch Librarians will work with the community to develop appropriate adult programming such as computer literacy classes, book talks and lectures.

4) Know Your Community: Community Resources and Services
Immediately upon entering the building, users will see community bulletin boards that will inform them of local resources, events and services. Space will be provided for local newspapers and newsletters to help keep the community informed. Informative meetings with the purpose of linking users to the local community can take place in the meeting or conference rooms. Knowledgeable librarians will serve as brokers of community information.

5) Visit a Comfortable Place: Physical and Virtual Places
The plan is to create an attractive, welcoming civic building in which the area residents will take pride. The new facility will feature a variety of spaces to meet a wide range of community needs, including a large public meeting room (for approximately 100 people), two smaller conference rooms, a children’s program room, as well as smaller rooms for group study and for tutoring. Multiple access points to virtual spaces through both the public PCs and wireless access for people with laptops are planned. The children’s area will have spaces (including collection and seating) dedicated to various age groups (five and under, beginning readers and elementary age). There will be a distinctive area for young adults to meet and to learn. Finally, adults will have their own reading areas, online access area and a large collection of materials.

6) Discover Your Roots: Genealogy and Local History
The library will retain its print collection of local history information in addition to providing access to electronic sources of historical information. Genealogy information, which is largely accessed online, will be accessible through the public PCs and via wireless access for customers with laptop PCs.