Washington Highlands Library

A Progress Report to the Community

Tuesday, March 31, 2009

On Tuesday, March 31, DC Public Library and the architecture team of Adjaye
Associates and Weincek & Associates presented preliminary designs of the new
Washington Highlands Library at a community meeting. Twenty-nine people
added their name to the sign-in sheet. Following the presentation, the audience
provided comments on the preliminary designs. What follows is a summary of
those comments and responses from the Library.

Design

• Accessibility for the handicapped must be addressed. Please consider

children with special needs and provide opportunities for intergenerational
projects. The building has to be agreeable to bringing different groups
together.

• The new library should serve all groups, regardless of disability. The
library should serve individuals with mental or physical impairments.

• Be sure there are changing tables in both the women’s and men’s
restrooms.

• Be sure to consider the local schools in the new design. Ensure that
school children will be able to travel to the library safely.

• Be sure walking patterns from schools and daycare centers are safe, and
include curb cuts and cross walks. Is DCPL coordinating with other DC
agencies such as DDOT?

Library Response: The library will have programs and services for all DC
residents. The new building will comply will all ADA requirements. Both the men’s
and women’s restrooms will have changing tables. The Library will coordinate
with DDOT, the Office of Planning and other relevant agencies to ensure that
walking routes are as safe as possible. This will include curb cuts for strollers and
wheelchairs, crosswalks and signage.
 • Children’s space should be more transparent to the adult space. Security
is very important for the building. Parents will want clear sight lines to the
restrooms as well.

• Security in the library is critical. What security measures will the library
have and will it include a security guard on site? Bathrooms should have
security as well.

Library Response: Security is a top concern for the Library. The new building
will have clear sight lines across each floor. Bathroom entrances will be from the
main room, rather than a back hallway as in the current building. The building will
be equipped with security cameras, which can be monitored from the staff
computers. Decisions about security staffing will be made closer to the opening
of the new library.

• The new building should “give a nod” to the current building by

incorporating brick into the design. Re-using bricks would contribute to the
LEED Certification (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design).

• The plans for the new library look very modern. This style is out of place
with the surrounding neighborhood. Please consider using brick in the new
design – perhaps even recycling some of the bricks from the current
building.

Library Response: The design is forward-looking. The use of glass serves to

bring in natural light and allow those passing by to be drawn into the library. The
new building will be designed to achieve a LEED Certification of at least Silver.
While the architects currently do not anticipate re-using brick in the new building,
all building materials will be recycled, rather than being dumped in a landfill.

• Has anyone considered renovating the current building and adding on to

it, rather than tearing it down and starting over?

• There are underground springs in the neighborhood that may affect the
new library.

Library Response: The Library conducted a Cost-Benefit Analysis of the

building’s condition which concluded that it would be more cost effective to
rebuild the library. This document is available online at dclibrary.org. The
architect and engineering team have conducted a thorough site analysis
including a geotechnical survey to determine the ground water level. The building
will no have basement, and underground water is not anticipated to be a
problem.

• What is the energy rating of the materials be used? Please share the
details of this information with the community.
Library Response: While the design is still in the preliminary stages, it will
incorporate a number of energy efficient materials. As these details are
determined, we will share them with the community.

• How much parking will the new library have?

Library Response: The current design includes a side parking lot for seven
vehicles. In addition, there is street parking available, including a handicapped
spot in front of the library.

Program

• Meeting room space is a valuable service provided by the library. Evening

hours are important for this library. In addition, the design of the new
library should allow for use of meeting rooms when the library is closed.

Library Response: The library will include a large meeting room to

accommodate 100 people. In addition, there will be two conference rooms to
accommodate 12-16 people, depending upon the configuration, and several
small quiet study rooms that can accommodate two people. The design will take
into account access to the meeting room outside of library operating hours.

• Because this neighborhood has no FedEx/Kinko’s or business support

nearby, it is important for the library to provide these functions.

• Have a coffee shop in the new library. Perhaps the Friends group could
run the shop.

Library Response: The library will offer computers and WiFi access as well as
photocopying for a nominal fee. The new library will have a vending area. In
addition, the Library will explore contracting with a business to provide a coffee
cart or other type of light refreshment service.

• Please include a garden space that will provide opportunities for the
community to get involved in gardening.

• The area around Washington Highlands is rich in history and culture.

Please provide a space in the library that will reflect the local history.
Consider including a collection that would help preserve local history.

• Make the roof top a destination. Make use of the rooftop by incorporating
an outdoor space that could be rented for parties.

Library Response: The design will include landscaping and outdoor green
space for the community to enjoy. There will be opportunities for public art and
other details that can reflect the local history and culture of the community.
These details will be addressed closer to the end of the design process.

While there are no plans at present to make the rooftop a destination, the roof
will be environmentally sensitive in some capacity. Making the roof accessible to
the public presents a number of challenges that add significant cost to the project
and to the operating budget of the library. These include additional structural
support, an additional elevator stop, railings, and security measures.

Process

• The ANC should have been consulted before presenting design to the
community at large. Every ANC in Ward 8 should be contacted as this is
the only library in Ward 8.

• Now that you have preliminary plans, will DCPL come to the ANCs to
share the plans?

Library Response: The Washington Highlands Library and the Parklands-

Turner Community Library are located in Ward 8. However, libraries serve a
much larger population than the particular ward in which it is located. Ward 8 has
5 Advisory Neighborhood Commissions (ANC) and 35 Single Member Districts
(SMD). The Washington Highlands Neighborhood Library is located in ANC 8D,
SMD 8D07. DC Public Library notified ANC 8D of the public improvement and
impact on service delivery of the proposed new Washington Highlands
Neighborhood Library on October 1, 2008 in accordance with D.C. Official Code
Title 1-309.10 (2001 Ed.).

DC Public Library is available to attend ANC meetings to present the current

status and updates of the plans to build the new Washington Highlands
Neighborhood Library.

• Use local trade people in building the new library. Small minority-owned
businesses should be brought in. Young people from the neighborhood
should be brought in to learn a trade.

Library Response: Historically, DC Public Library has exceeded the

requirements for Certified Business Enterprise (CBE) involvement in the design,
renovation and construction of libraries. DCPL has instituted a Mentor-Protégé
Program that is designed to assist CBEs who are involved with the construction
of the Washington Highlands Library. As an integral part of the District of
Columbia's First Source Agreement, apprenticeship opportunities are mandated
for construction of this and all public buildings.
• The Library should conduct a design charrette for the community to
consider options. Some people feel they are being left out of the process.
The Library should adopt a working group model where the community is
involved in choosing the design.

• The Library needs to broaden the community outreach.

• Ensure that library hours are not cut. It will not serve the community to
build a jewel of a building and then not have it open. If the Library System
faces further budget cuts, hours should be preserved in socio-
economically disadvantaged neighborhoods over more affluent
neighborhoods. Cutbacks more adversely affect poorer residents.

• Consider closing the central library more hours before reducing hours at
neighborhood branches.

• The Friends Group at Washington Highlands needs to be revitalized.