Capitol View Library History

The Capitol View Neighborhood Library represents the culmination of a 10-year struggle on the part of the Capitol View community to acquire a branch of the D.C. Public Library. Funded under the D.C. Public Works Program, the library opened in 1965, in its 20,000 square-foot, brick and concrete building. It was designed by architect E.W. Cooke in conjunction with D.C.'s Office of the Supervising Architect. The building cost an approximate $422,000, and occupies a site bounded by Central Avenue on the north, 50th Street on the west, and Ayers Place on the south in Southeast Washington.

The Capitol View Branch is located in the community known as Capitol View at the easternmost extremity of East Capitol Street. The area grew into a substantial residential neighborhood after World War II, with the exodus of families from the central city and the growth of suburbs. As the population grew and the neighborhood became established, the citizens of the area began to consider the need for a library. In the late 1950s, several other branch projects took precedence over Capitol View, thus delaying the realization of the community's dream. By fiscal year 1961, Congress had appropriated funds for the acquisition of a site for the proposed Capitol View Branch, and the next year, money was granted for the preparation of plans and specifications.

While the Capitol View Branch was first mentioned in the D.C. Commissioner’s 1959 annual report, community interest in establishing a neighborhood library began several years earlier with the Capitol View Civic Association, the Marshall Heights Civic Association and members of the local PTA petitioning the Public Library for a branch. In 1961, the District of Columbia Commissioners attempted to avoid a cutback in services and construction programs by requesting additional monies from the Federal government. Without this supplement, several D.C. programs and planned construction projects, including the Capitol View Neighborhood Library, would be cut or postponed. On August 17, 1961, several Capitol View residents appeared before the Senate Appropriations Committee to plead for the reinstatement of the $422,000 earmarked for the Capitol View Library. Maria Trotter, a 10-year-old resident of the neighborhood, read a letter she wrote asking for the money to build the much-needed library. In conclusion, Trotter remarked that "if we read more, we might become teachers, doctors, chemists or other useful men and women...Sincerely, Children of Capitol View Area."

Continued budget problems, however, delayed the construction of the branch. By the end of 1962, however, funds had been secured, and the designs were underway. Correspondence between the Office of the Supervising Architect and the Chairman of the Commission of Fine Arts indicated that the Commission, charged with reviewing all architectural design for public buildings in the city, was not wholly satisfied with the plans. A letter dated November 1962 described the recommended changes completed by the architect's office. These revisions included the elimination of brick pilasters and strip windows with the substitution of a "facade developed as a formal rhythm of framed vertical brick and window panels." The architect also explained how "the entrance extension has been simplified and the arched motif eliminated."

A rendering of the Capitol View Neighborhood Library located at the National Archives, bearing the signature of E.W. Cooke, suggests that he was the building's architect, although no written documentation confirms his involvement. The branch's design reflected a break from the established formula set over the previous decade under the D.C. Public Works Program. The previous seven public works libraries displayed similar design features determined not only by the D.C. Public Library's staff, which developed its own set of guidelines, but by the Office of the Supervising Architect, which prescribed construction materials, decorative elements, and the organization of the facade.

The Capitol View Branch building consisted of a two-story, reinforced concrete structure faced with brick and concrete panels. The entrance occupied the northwest corner of the building and was emphasized by a metal awning and a large display window. The library building incorporated approximately 20,000 square feet and could accommodate 60,000 books. The first floor contained a lobby, adult reference-reading room, and a space for young adults, while the second floor housed the children's room. The basement contained book storage space, the heating plant and a community meeting room. The interior was lit by fluorescent lighting, and the walls consisted of painted cinder blocks. The open interior spaces were designed to allow for maximum flexibility with moveable double-faced bookcases providing the only partitions.

The new Capitol View Neighborhood Library opened January 23, 1965, the day after its dedication. Edward James Talbert served as the first branch librarian, with an eleven-person staff. The branch's initial collection numbered 24,438 volumes with a $19,000 book budget for the first year. Residents of the neighborhood immediately became involved in their new Neighborhood Library. The branch recorded a daily circulation of approximately 500 books in its first five days of operation.

Local community organizations, including the Marshall Heights and Capitol View civic associations, began campaigning for a large and diverse book collection as soon as the library was opened. The library also became involved in the life of the community, offering annual and weekly programs that included a Spring Bazaar, Octoberfest, an Annual Career Day Workshop, a reading contest, and various storytelling and film programs. Just after opening, the library began providing space for YWCA volunteers to tutor slow readers and other students.

During the early 1970s, due to cuts in the library's budget, the Capitol View Branch was forced to shorten its hours of service and consolidate its resources. This included a reduction in personnel and the movement of the children's room down from the second floor into the adult room. In the mid-1980s, the library's funding was restored, and the children's room moved back to the second floor.

The SE/NE Friends of the Capitol View Branch, established March 1, 1981, is a voluntary support group that encourages use of the library, promotes the library's visibility among municipal agencies, and provides financial and volunteer assistance to the branch. The Friends' first project was a fundraising program that collected $1,000, which was matched by a grant from the National Home Library Foundation. The Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC-7E) has also provided support during Capitol View's 32 years of service, contributing for the purchase of library equipment.

Today, the Capitol View Neighborhood Library offers special collections in adult basic education and an extensive video library. The library sponsors special events and programs that include "Slimnastics" classes, a film program for seniors, tutoring for children, toy lending for disabled children and a research center for writing papers. The branch also provides space for community organizations in its meeting room.