Richard Reyes-Gavilan, Executive Director of DC Public Libraries, gave an update on the closure of Sourtheast Library to ANC6B on Tuesday night. The image depicts a cross section through the rendering of the renovated library.
SE Library Closure/Interim Services Update
by Larry Janezich
Posted June 15, 2023
Executive Director DCPL Reyes-Gavilan appeared before ANC6B Tuesday night to provide an update on the closure of SE Library as well as what interim services will be available during the estimated tw0 year library renovation project.
Here are the take-aways:
Closure
- Gavilan: SE Library Closure targeted for this summer, but “I wouldn’t bet my life savings on it.”
- Construction is scheduled to begin in Fall 2023.
- There will be one final community meeting prior to the building’s closure to discuss all issues related to the project.
- DCPL will give approximately 6 weeks’ notice prior to the closing.
- The construction team will start after 6 – 8 weeks of building closure. This provides time for move out, mobilizing the construction team, putting up required site protections, interior abatement and selective interior demolition.
- DCPL and the Design Build teams continue doing pre-construction work, responding to comments and reconciling sub-contractor bids
Interim Services.
The main go-to for library collections and services will be NE Library: (20 minute walk, 10 minute bus ride via the 90/92 bus from Pennsylvania and 8th Street. Additional NE Library services include:
- Two weekly morning story times, one weekly Todler Explorations program, and one weekly “Not a Box” play party.
- SE school engagement – outreach, class visits, etc.
Laptop computer and printer/scanning services will be provided at the Arthur Capper Recreation Center several days a week starting in the new calendar year. At present, no books, videos, audio books or book pick-up/drop-off services are planned for the Arthur Capper Center. Estimates are that up to a dozen laptops will be available at the Center, as well as the services to two staffers – “digital navigators.” (Afterward, the ANC unanimously voted to urge DCPL to provide drop-off/pick-up services at Arthur Capper.)
Other interim services at non-library locations:
- Weekly Story Time at 700 Pennsylvania Avenue
- Outdoor programming in Turtle (Marion) Park and EM Metro Plaza
- Adult Book Clubs at Little District Book Store
- Travel Fiction Book Club (monthly)
- BookTok Book Club (monthly)
- Travel Fiction Book Club (monthly)
- BookTok Book Club (monthly)
CAPITOL HILL CORNER 
Why won‘t Arthur Capper provide services till Jan when Library will close well before that. Leaves no place to go for the whole fall
I just drove over to the Arthur Capper Rec Center for the first time, and was shocked. It is a much longer walk away from the current SE Library than I thought. It will work for people living 12 blocks EAST and West from from the current SE Library (that’s 9 blocks walking East plus 3 blocks walking west).
So, alas, for me, it is on 8th close to Pennsylvania Ave SE, the NE Library with its fuller weekly services, but still a long walk and not convenient because of slight lameness.
I was struck at the meeting this week by the fact that Mr. Reyes-Gavillan, who has had more than a year’s time, is still “thinking about” whether he can arrange “through our very complicated book delivery system” whether he can pick up book returns, and deliver reserved books for pickup at the Capper Center. He thinks not.
He is paid a very large salary. He is a public servant. But thinking, and service, are not in his DNA. HE IS A BUREAUCRAT. HE DOES NOT GIVE A DAMN ABOUT LIBRARY PATRONS.
The last time SE library was closed for remodeling, we had a book mobile near the library to pick up and return books. Is the library going to do that this time around. If not I will not be able to borrow print books for the duration.
DCPL reportedly no longer has a Bookmobile.