Parklands-Turner Library History

The Parklands-Turner Community Library at 1720 Alabama Ave. S.E. was the third of four portabranch community libraries built in the District of Columbia between 1981 and 1993. The portabranch program, initiated in 1974, planned for the construction of compact, pre-fabricated, portable library facilities in neighborhoods where current branch services did not reach. Opened on April 4, 1984, the Parklands-Turner Community Library replaced a kiosk that had been placed in the neighborhood in 1976. The new community library, located on the northeast corner of Alabama Avenue and Stanton Road S.E., stands adjacent to Turner Elementary School on land donated by the D.C. School Board. The building, funded through the Library Services & Construction Act of 1970, consists of a prefabricated steel and glass building designed by Portastructures Industries as an economical, space-saving alternative to permanent library branches.

In 1973, the D.C. Public Library imposed a moratorium on the construction of traditional library branch buildings. At this time, the D.C. Public Library reassessed the needs of the city, concluding that a more flexible, innovative way of serving its diverse constituencies was needed. As a part of this revised branch program, kiosk library branches and portabranches were proposed. Kiosks were designed to be approximately 120 gross square feet and have a book capacity of approximately 1,000 volumes. They provide stand-up space for browsing, work space for an attendant, book racks and bulletin boards. The intent of these small bookstands was to provide minimal library facilities to a larger number of communities at a relatively low cost. The kiosks would also be utilized as test branches, evaluating the community's library needs.

The kiosk program was first conceived as early as 1972; however, the full program would not be outlined until 1974 in the D.C. Capital Improvements Program for 1975-80. A key element of the kiosk program was the use of small parcels of public land, thus eliminating the cost of acquiring sites. The program outlined for 1975-80 called for the placement of eight kiosks in different "service areas" identified by the Public Library.

The D.C. Public Library included specifications for the kiosk design in its initial plan. These included the provision for a structure with a "square, hexagonal, round, or other appropriate shape," and "windows of unbreakable material." They further specified that "the unit should be portable, prefabricated of a colored aluminum system, easily assembled or disassembled with the use of simple tools offering maximum flexibility and mobility."

Finally, the Public Library administration determined that the kiosk should have a "fresh imaginative design, which is essential to the success of the program." The final design of the pre-fabricated kiosk consisted of an aluminum structure enclosed with unbreakable glass panels, and red-white-and-blue aluminum panels. The hexagonal design incorporated a shallow porch surrounding the building. The kiosks stood on poured concrete pads and were quickly assembled with numerous screws.

The Parklands Kiosk at Alabama Avenue and Stanton Road S.E. opened September 16, 1976. The success of the kiosk prompted the D.C. Public Library to propose a more permanent, larger Neighborhood Library in the vicinity. As early as 1967, the D.C. Public Library had selected a site for Parklands Neighborhood Library at 18th Place and Alabama Avenue S.E. Funds for the site were requested in the 1972 budget; however, plans were put on hold as the library again assessed the city's needs and developed its kiosk and portabranch program. By the late 1970s, the performance of the Parklands Kiosk had demonstrated the community's need for expanded services. The ongoing portabranch program offered a way to provide such service.

The instant libraries or portabranch program was first outlined in the Public Libraries' Six-Year Capital Improvements Program, developed in 1974-75. The program called for the placement of temporary, pre-fabricated buildings on publicly owned lands in neighborhoods in need of library facilities. The portabranches were described as "small, attractive, highly visible and easily relocatable [facilities]." Each portabranch consisted of approximately 1,600 square feet, accommodating 5,000 volumes, and providing space for 25 to 30 readers. The advantages of the portabranches over traditional branch libraries were enumerated as follows:

“...the relative cost of construction; relative operating costs; flexibility to move the facility to meet changing community needs; the ability to utilize small areas of public land in conjunction with other facilities, and; the relative prompt availability of library services to the community.”

The portabranch program was delayed despite the allocation of funds for three such libraries in the 1975 budget. Numerous sites were selected as early as 1974, funds were allocated in 1975, and the designs were completed by 1978; however, the expected completion date for the portabranches was continually pushed forward due to budget shortfalls.

The Parklands-Turner Community Library, the third of the portabranches in the District of Columbia, opened April 9, 1984. The new Neighborhood Library consisted of a pre-fabricated, circular building constructed of unbreakable glass, steel and brightly colored aluminum panels. The interior contained several innovative features, including circular shelving. Air conditioning, heating and a public toilet were provided. The building was designed by Portastructures Industries, which specialized in portable facilities.

The library was named for its neighborhood, Parklands, and for its location adjacent to the Turner School. The school was named in honor of a longtime D.C. Public School employee, Anita J. Turner. Turner served as director of physical education in the D.C. school system for 38 years, retiring in 1940. She was much admired for her energy and enthusiasm for her work.

The Parklands-Turner Community Library opened with a collection of 10,000 books. Daily delivery service from the central library, Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, brought additional volumes to the library. The branch was open eight hours a day, four days a week, and four hours on Wednesdays.

The Parklands-Turner Community Library currently offers special programs and services including pre-school programs for children, and an afternoon film program. The library also provides D.C. 2000 Employment Application forms to the public.