Monday 24 June 2013

[WardFive] FW: MLK LIBRARY UNDER THREAT

 
   Planning at the Top, First in the List
 
Dear Good Public Library Advocates,
 
Here's a brief update on your MLK Library.

First, as you may know, the Council postponed their vote on the Budget Support Act until this Wednesday, June 26.
 
We have time to insist the DC City Council make sure planning for the future of our MLK Library is the FIRST (1) requirement in determining the future of our central public library -- the King Memorial Library located downtown.  

====================================
POP A LETTER ABOUT YOUR CENTRAL LIBRARY   
===================================
 
Second, as of today the DC Council Library Committee, and Councilmember David Catania's office, is sticking to its stance that it doesn't matter that the proposed legislation regarding the future of your central public library won't have citizen planning first in the legislated action list.  Instead the proposed Budget Support Act has citizen planning listed last!
 
Also, we have gotten word that some members of the City Council are refusing to examine the option of co-locating a $42 million DC Archives into a newly renovated MLK library -- ignoring potential cost savings and unfairly dismissing a very natural public-public co-location opportunity.
 
The Committee must require examination of public-public co-location options, like a new DC Archives. Right now, the proposed legislation requires that only "public-private partnerships" be examined and reported on.  This focus on privatization of our central library, even if just a portion of the building, is patently short-sighted and doesn't serve the public well.
 
~~~~+ PROTECT MLK +~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

It is clear, a Citizens Task Force on the Future of MLK is needed.  It will allow residents and library users to weigh in on the most important planning issues before the design, financing, and construction plans are addressed behind closed doors without citizen input.  Right now the Council, and the Budget Support Act, has got this backwards with public planning shown last in the action list. 
 
Our message to the City Council is:  
Move citizen planning from last to first in the legislated action list -- this library building is DC's local iconic dedication to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and we are sure Dr. King would demand to hear what the public wants for the future of OUR King Memorial Library before unnecessarily suspicious privatization plans are developed by the City and Board of Library Trustees.  

============================ 
STAND UP FOR A CITIZENS TASKFORCE ON THE FUTURE OF MLK LIBRARY  
If you have already written a letter, thank you.  Ask your friends to send a letter using this easy form
============================

The District Dynamos in partnership with
The Library Renaissance Project
Planning at the Top, First in the List
 
Dear Good Public Library Advocates,
 
Here's a brief update on your MLK Library.

First, as you may know, the Council postponed their vote on the Budget Support Act until this Wednesday, June 26.
 
We have time to insist the DC City Council make sure planning for the future of our MLK Library is the FIRST (1) requirement in determining the future of our central public library -- the King Memorial Library located downtown.  

====================================
POP A LETTER ABOUT YOUR CENTRAL LIBRARY   
===================================
 
Second, as of today the DC Council Library Committee, and Councilmember David Catania's office, is sticking to its stance that it doesn't matter that the proposed legislation regarding the future of your central public library won't have citizen planning first in the legislated action list.  Instead the proposed Budget Support Act has citizen planning listed last!
 
Also, we have gotten word that some members of the City Council are refusing to examine the option of co-locating a $42 million DC Archives into a newly renovated MLK library -- ignoring potential cost savings and unfairly dismissing a very natural public-public co-location opportunity.
 
The Committee must require examination of public-public co-location options, like a new DC Archives. Right now, the proposed legislation requires that only "public-private partnerships" be examined and reported on.  This focus on privatization of our central library, even if just a portion of the building, is patently short-sighted and doesn't serve the public well.
 
~~~~+ PROTECT MLK +~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

It is clear, a Citizens Task Force on the Future of MLK is needed.  It will allow residents and library users to weigh in on the most important planning issues before the design, financing, and construction plans are addressed behind closed doors without citizen input.  Right now the Council, and the Budget Support Act, has got this backwards with public planning shown last in the action list. 
 
Our message to the City Council is:  
Move citizen planning from last to first in the legislated action list -- this library building is DC's local iconic dedication to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and we are sure Dr. King would demand to hear what the public wants for the future of OUR King Memorial Library before unnecessarily suspicious privatization plans are developed by the City and Board of Library Trustees.  

============================ 
STAND UP FOR A CITIZENS TASKFORCE ON THE FUTURE OF MLK LIBRARY  
If you have already written a letter, thank you.  Ask your friends to send a letter using this easy form
============================

The District Dynamos in partnership with
The Library Renaissance Project



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