SE Library Closure Delayed – Likely Until Fall

ANC6B Task Force on Southeast Library met Sunday afternoon. Commissioner David Sobelsohn is at center. Susan Sedgewick, representing Capitol Hill Village, is to his left. Commissioner Katie Durkit is in the right foreground.

SE Library Closure Delayed – Likely Until Fall

by Larry Janezich

Posted August 1, 2013

The ANC6B Taskforce on SE Library met last Sunday afternoon.  Commissioner David Sobelsohn, who chairs the committee, told the group that it appears DC Public Library will not meet its intention of closing SE Library this summer, given that Executive Director Richard Reyes-Gavilan has indicated there will be six weeks’ notice before closure, and there has been no word yet.

The Task Force heard from Sobelsohn and Task Force member Susan Sedgewick regarding their testimony before the DC Public Library’s Board of Trustees on July 26, in support of interim services during the two-year renovation.   

In his testimony, Sobelsohn pressed the case for a more a robust facility for interim services during the closure of SE Library.  Although CM Charles Allen was successful in obtaining funding for an “interim services” facility – likely at Arthur Capper Recreational Center – it appears to be limited to part time access to a dozen or so computers, two technical support staff, and a copier.  Sobelsohn says this is inadequate.  From his statement to the DCPL trustees:

“My ANC urges the board of trustees to … provide a place near the Southeast branch for us to pick up and return library books; to keep that location open for a minimum number of days per week and hours per day; to provide a minimum number of computers and a printer, scanner, and copier at that location; to assign at least one regular library staff person to that location; and to open that location the day after it closes the Southeast branch, not months later.”

Task Force member Susan Sedgewick – who is a member of the board of Capitol Hill Village and represents some 400+ members – urged the trustees to consider the needs of older Capitol Hill residents who are unable to walk to NE Library which DCPL has suggested as an alternative location for those in need of library services.  She said, “All of us assumed the library system would provide some interim services so our SE library habit would be served.  We are amazed that is not the case.”  She added that in her research, she has discovered DCPL “Library by Mail” program that works under the disability services unit of DCPL.  This service, she said, could help older Capitol Hill residents and Sedgewick urged DCPL to prepare to serve the looming number of older adults in DC who will need special services to help them obtain books and to return them.  Her recommendations included:  streamline the way patrons using “Library by Mail” order books, develop a marketing plan that includes encouraging library staff to tell their patrons about the program, advertise the program as a service for older adults, and ensure adequate staff so to be responsive to request for titles. 

The Task Force also heard from several nearby residential neighbors who will be affected once construction starts on the renovation.  Those neighbors are in conversation with DCPL regarding providing access for construction workers which so far, apparently has not been resolved. 

Moving forward, Sobelsohn said he had a commitment to meet with staff of CM Trayon White who chairs the City Council’s Committee on Recreation, Libraries and Youth Affairs.  As such, he will be key to getting more funding to broaden interim services at Arthur Capper Recreational Center or any other location.

The Task Force has scheduled another meeting for August 21 at 7:00pm at Southeast Library.