D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 10-A, § 1110

CSF-3 Libraries and Information Services

Effective Aug 21, 2021Authority: Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 2021, effective August 21, 2021 (D.C. Law 24-20; 68 DCR 006918 (July 16, 2021)). Source: District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Act of 1984, effective April 10, 1984 (D.C. Law 5-76; 31 DCR 1049 (March 9, 1984)); as amended by District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Act of 1984 Land Use Element Amendment Act of 1984, effective March 16, 1985 (D.C. Law 5-187; 32 DCR 873 (February 15, 1985)); as amended by District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Amendments Act of 1989, effective May 23, 1990 (D.C. Law 8-129; 37 DCR 55 (January 5, 1990)); as amended by District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Amendments Act of 1989 NCPC-Recommended Amendments, and Closing of Public Alleys in Square 669, S.O. 88-452, Act of 1990, effective May 23, 1990 (D.C. Law 8-132; 37 DCR 2213 (April 6, 1990)); as amended by District Government Land Use Temporary Amendment Act of 1994, effective October 1, 1994 (D.C. Law 10-190; 41 DCR 5360 (August 12, 1994)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendments Act of 1994, effective October 6, 1994 (D.C. Law 10-193; 41 DCR 5536 (August 19, 1994)); as amended by District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Act of 1984 Land Use Amendment Act of 1994, effective March 21, 1995 (D.C. Law 10-235; 42 DCR 30 (January 6, 1995)); as amended by Technical Amendments Act of 1996, effective April 18, 1996 (D.C. Law 11-110; 43 DCR 530 (February 9, 1996)); as amended by Second Technical Amendments Act of 1996, effective April 9, 1997 (D.C. Law 11-255; 44 DCR 1271 (March 7, 1997)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 1998, effective April 27, 1999 (D.C. Law 12-275; 46 DCR 1441 (February 19, 1999)); as amended by Technical Amendments Act of 1999, effective April 12, 2000 (D.C. Law 13-91; 47 DCR 520 (January 28, 2000)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 2006, effective March 8, 2007 (D.C. Law 16-300; 54 DCR 924 (February 2, 2007)); as amended by Technical Amendments Act of 2008, effective March 25, 2009 (D.C. Law 17-353; 56 DCR 1117 (February 6, 2009)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 2010, effective April 8, 2011 (D.C. Law 18-361; 58 DCR 908 (February 4, 2011)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 2021, effective August 21, 2021 (D.C. Law 24-20; 68 DCR 006918 (July 16, 2021)).District of Columbia, Office of the Secretary

1110 CSF-3 LIBRARIES AND INFORMATION SERVICES

1110.1 As one of world's leading centers of information and knowledge, Washington, DC has a state-of-the-art public library system, which combines high-quality physical buildings with new technology, an expanded online presence, inviting public spaces for meetings and gatherings, and programs and collections that meet the needs of all residents, including immigrants and other newcomers to Washington, DC. The District's libraries help children succeed in school and adults improve their reading skills, while supporting career advancement and life enrichment goals. The District aspires to nothing less than greatness as it creates a library system that demonstrates Washington, DC's commitment to meeting the educational, cultural, and lifelong learning needs of all of its residents.

1110.2 Washington, DC's public library system is planned and managed by DCPL, an independent agency. The Board of Library Trustees sets policy for DCPL. Its nine members are unpaid District residents appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the Council for a maximum of two five-year terms. There are currently 26 library facilities, including the central Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library, and 25 neighborhood libraries.

1110.3 Since 2006, there has been significant investment in library buildings, technology, books, and other materials, as well as expanded programming and hours of operation. Nineteen of the 26 facilities are entirely new or have been fully renovated; multiple are in design or under construction; and DCPL intends to modernize the remaining facilities thereafter. The DCPL system now boasts four million visits a year. From 2008 to 2016, the number of materials borrowed annually increased by 250 percent, the number of public access computers increased by 150 percent, and the number of active library accounts increased by more than 60 percent.

1110.4 In late 2005, the Mayor's Task Force on the Future of the District of Columbia Public Library System produced a Blueprint for Change that recommended rebuilding the library system from the ground up. That report made two fundamental recommendations:

(1) To revitalize DCPL's neighborhood libraries to meet 21st-century opportunities; and

(2) To build a new Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library that inspires and empowers.

1110.5 Implementation of the first recommendation has been underway over the last decade, while the second is now in progress. The District is working to enhance the library's role as a community learning hub, with neighborhood branches

serving diverse neighborhoods in different ways.

1110.6 In 2017, DCPL released a Strategic Plan, Know Your Neighborhood, that outlines priorities, goals, and initiatives through 2021. The plan follows an intensive community outreach process that engaged with more than 2,000 residents. The plan identifies four priority areas:

(1) Reading: Support new readers and cultivate a love of learning;

(2) Digital Citizenship: Prepare residents for life online;

(3) Strong Communities: Neighborhood libraries should be vital centers of community learning and civic engagement; and

(4) Local History and Culture: Foster understanding and appreciation of what makes Washington, DC unique.

1110.7 The DCPL Strategic Plan also includes a focus on stewardship so that each library is responsive to community needs. DCPL is also seeking external funding and resources to deepen the library's impact and is working to increase awareness of libraries and the services they provide among constituents. Three key metrics have been established to measure future success: (i) 75 percent of all District residents with active library accounts, (ii) five million library items borrowed annually, and (iii) five million visits to library locations and outreach events annually.

1110.8 Reinvestment in the library system is transforming the role of the library, making it a neighborhood focal point and gathering place, rather than simply a repository for books. Washington, DC has embraced the principle of Know Your Neighborhood, aiming for each neighborhood library to be responsive to and reflective of the distinctive communities it serves and tailoring its services and programs to reflect local needs. The library is envisioned as a haven for learning and civic expression and a place that enables residents in each neighborhood to meet their information and learning needs. In addition, each branch library should provide a home for cultural events, classes and programs, and community activities. Libraries are also envisioned as keepers of the story of each District neighborhood, providing a window into local history and culture.

SOURCE: District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Act of 1984, effective April 10, 1984 (D.C. Law 5-76; 31 DCR 1049 (March 9, 1984)); as amended by District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Act of 1984 Land Use Element Amendment Act of 1984, effective March 16, 1985 (D.C. Law 5-187; 32 DCR 873 (February 15, 1985)); as amended by District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Amendments Act of 1989, effective May 23, 1990 (D.C. Law 8-129; 37 DCR 55 (January 5, 1990)); as amended by District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Amendments Act of 1989 NCPC-Recommended Amendments, and Closing of Public Alleys in Square 669, S.O. 88-452, Act of 1990, effective May 23, 1990 (D.C. Law 8-132; 37 DCR 2213 (April 6, 1990)); as amended by District Government Land Comprehensive Plan

Use Temporary Amendment Act of 1994, effective October 1, 1994 (D.C. Law 10-190; 41 DCR 5360 (August 12, 1994)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendments Act of 1994, effective October 6, 1994 (D.C. Law 10-193; 41 DCR 5536 (August 19, 1994)); as amended by District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Act of 1984 Land Use Amendment Act of 1994, effective March 21, 1995 (D.C. Law 10-235; 42 DCR 30 (January 6, 1995)); as amended by Technical Amendments Act of 1996, effective April 18, 1996 (D.C. Law 11-110; 43 DCR 530 (February 9, 1996)); as amended by Second Technical Amendments Act of 1996, effective April 9, 1997 (D.C. Law 11-255; 44 DCR 1271 (March 7, 1997)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 1998, effective April 27, 1999 (D.C. Law 12-275; 46 DCR 1441 (February 19, 1999)); as amended by Technical Amendments Act of 1999, effective April 12, 2000 (D.C. Law 13-91; 47 DCR 520 (January 28, 2000)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 2006, effective March 8, 2007 (D.C. Law 16-300; 54 DCR 924 (February 2, 2007)); as amended by Technical Amendments Act of 2008, effective March 25, 2009 (D.C. Law 17-353; 56 DCR 1117 (February 6, 2009)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 2010, effective April 8, 2011 (D.C. Law 18-361; 58 DCR 908 (February 4, 2011)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 2021, effective August 21, 2021 (D.C. Law 24-20; 68 DCR 006918 (July 16, 2021)).