November 20, 2006
Final Report of Mayor's Blue Ribbon Task Force on DC Libraries, A Blueprint for Change, Now Available
(Washington, DC)--Today, the Mayor’s Blue Ribbon Task Force on the Future of the DC Public Library System formally issued its final report, “A Blueprint for Change,” which spells out the vision for a transformation that will make the District’s library system world-class. The Task Force’s 370-page technical report and 15-page executive summary lays out the vision for what a 21st century library system should be and details the strategic initiatives and service priorities necessary for the District of Columbia Public Library (DCPL) to become state-of-the-art. In Fall 2004 Mayor Williams established the Task Force as a vehicle for seeking the input of some of the most successful educators, librarians, community members, and business leaders from across the country and to generate recommendations that would transform the libraries into a high tech modern system.
“Our libraries in Washington DC should be among the best in the country,” said Mayor Anthony A. Williams. “I am excited about the improvements we’ve made so far and this new report provides further incentive for us to upgrade our entire library system--which includes building a more distinguished central library downtown. I also hope that District residents who read this report appreciate the hard work that went into it by our task force, who generously gave their time to move this effort forward.”
Four overarching challenges within DCPL are identified in the report: Aging facilities, staff issues, hardware and software technology deficits, and substandard collections. The report goes into detail on steps DCPL should take to overcome these challenges so it can become an exemplary library system. Helpful in the report are extensive examples of best practices from some of the country’s leading and most innovative library systems, which show how those systems addressed similar issues.
In its final report, the Task Force recommends the DC Public Library renovate, rebuild or replace its existing branch libraries, so the branches, their collections and staff better meet the needs of the neighborhoods they serve, and function more smoothly in partnership with the central library. In close coordination with the revitalization of its branch libraries, the Task Force report says DCPL should build a new, inspiring, state-of-the-art Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library whose site, scale and design would be determined through an inclusive public planning process and vacate the current functionally obsolete central library.
“This report is the embodiment of the hope all District residents have for the type of library system we deserve,” said John Hill, president of the Board of Library Trustees. “Credit goes to Mayor Williams for convening such an esteemed and dedicated group of individuals who gave of their time and talent to chart a course for a world-class library system. Credit also goes to those citizens who participated in meetings and expressed their view on how their library system could improve. Those comments were appreciated and taken seriously. We’re well on our way to greatness.”
The report also calls for DCPL to address service priorities that include: Basic Literacy, Information Literacy, Homework Help, Lifelong Learning, Public Space, and Bestsellers and Hot Topics. These priorities were discussed during a series of public meetings held in early 2006 to obtain comments on the then draft report. Two consistent themes ran throughout the public meetings: residents are dissatisfied with the current state of DCPL, and many library users expressed concern about including bestsellers and hot topics as a service priority. The final report incorporates the themes and comments shared by District residents who attended the sessions.
“I am honored to have been asked to lead the DC Public Library system through what is undoubtedly the most challenging point in its history,” said Ginnie Cooper, the new Chief Librarian for the DC Public Library System. “One of the deciding factors for me when considering to come to Washington was the breadth and depth of the then draft report. That told me the Mayor, the City Council and the residents were all committed to the work at hand for turning this system into the best in the nation.”
The public may read reference copies of the report at any branch library or in the Washingtoniana Division, located at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library.
View the Blueprint for Change reports:
Agencies 
