A meeting tonight will help shape the course of renovations for our very own Mt Pleasant Branch Library. TheInTowner had a great article chronicling the potential renovations in the last issue.The meeting is 6:30pm tonight, May 4, at the Library (3160 Lamont St NW).
According to DCPL, the last meeting determined several wants and needs among area residents. They included:
Services most important to residents
- Children’s services and early literacy
- Information about community events, organizations and services
- Lifelong learning and personal interest
- A comfortable place to read, study, use computers and meet neighbors
- Learning to read and write for adults, children and teens
- Programs and services that promote cultural awareness and diversity
- Provide books, DVDs and CDs–reading and viewing for pleasure
What residents value most about the Mt. Pleasant Library
- Location and convenience
- Friendly staff and excellent customer service
- Programs for children
- Free access to the Internet
- Availability of meeting space
- Collections–books, CDs, DVDs
- Computers and free WiFi
What residents dislike about the Mt. Pleasant Library
- Not enough computers and time limits on computer use
- Appearance and condition of the building, particularly the lower level, meeting rooms, bathrooms and heating system
- Access to the children’s area–stairs are very narrow
- Feeling unsafe–presence of customers without homes and noisy teens
- High noise levels, especially in children’s area
- Customers without homes using library as a place to sleep
- Some staff appeared to be overworked
- Need more meeting room space
- Need a broader collection of materials
- Need more reading space for young people
The most striking features of the renovations promise to be the side garden on Lamont Street and the addition of an entire rear wing to the building. And finally, the ADA accessibility of the building won't require patrons to enter through a subterranean door, essentially putting visitors in the basement of the library.
