Can't seem to face up to the facts... or citizens/public meetings as "arm candy"

You start a conversation you can't even finish it.
You're talkin' a lot, but you're not sayin' anything.
When I have nothing to say, my lips are sealed.
Say something once, why say it again?
-- from the song "Psychokiller," by the Talking Heads (Listen to a clip)

Yesterday's Post has a letter to the editor in response to Marc Fisher's column about the DC Public Library "Listening Sessions." The letter, by John Hill, chair of the Library system board and executive director of the Federal City Council, states:

Marc Fisher's Feb. 23 Metro column, "D.C. Libraries Wander Off The Path to a Happy Ending," missed the goal of the listening sessions organized by the mayor's library task force. Mayor Anthony A. Williams asked the task force for recommendations on creating a state-of-the-art library system that integrates books, innovative programs and technology. The listening sessions were to hear citizen comment, including criticism.

The firm that helped run the sessions, America Speaks, created an environment in which all participants could be heard. Small group discussions enabled people to communicate their views. Also instrumental were group reports, open microphones for comments and feedback forms. Many task force members and library trustees and administrators attended the sessions, along with the mayor and D.C. Council members Kathy Patterson (D-Ward 3) and Jim Graham (D-Ward 1). Rather than throw stones, Mr. Fisher should join in building momentum for an ambitious undertaking.
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The negative reaction of many of "the public" to the listening sessions, including myself as discussed in the blog entry, "DC Library Planning and Listening Session: A Bit on Last Night," was the kind of sentiment reflected in Fisher's column. (And this piece is related "Don't Hate Participate.")

[We were] talkin' a lot, but [we weren't allowed to be] sayin' anything [out of the ordinary]

We didn't get to say much, because the "process" set up by America Speaks was circumscribed to cover only the six questions for which the Library Planning Task Force decided to seek input. This extended to the printed question forms, which didn't even deign to include a seventh question seeking input on issues not covered in the other questions.

You can't blame this necessarily on the consultants from American Speaks (although I think that they are more concerned about process and volume of participation, rather than seeking and developing substantive transformative citizen engagement) because their public participation "practices" are based upon the scope of work defined by their clients.

Like Mr. Hill, I want a great library system open and useful to all.

I rarely use the DC Library System because except for one or two specialty collections, it doesn't meet my needs.

Fortunately, I can meet my information needs at the Library of Congress, specialty libraries like the Foundation Center, and the many college libraries in the city, most of which are open to the public without a fee (remember that by the way about the university library not open to the public, GWU, the next time they ask for zoning relief, and when thinking about their tax exemption...)

Those of us agitating against the extremely narrow parameters of the debate on building a "City of Learning" through a superb library system are forced to challenge the process because while ostenstibly public, we have serious reservations about the quality of the process.

We are doing so, because like Mr. Hill, we believe that a great city is made great in part through the provision, maintenance and continued improvement of a great library system serving neighborhoods throughout the city, as well as having superb specialty collections and a Central Library to house such materials.

We just look at the "appropriate" role of citizens much differently. We believe in an actively engaged and involved citizenry, not in being seen and not heard.

Additionally, many of us are concerned that other library and archival needs across the city, including the City Museum, the DC Archives, the DC Public School System's Sumner School Museum and Archives, and the Recorder of Deeds, are not being considered in concert with the DC Library System planning process...

No See, No Speak -- Keith Haring.

Index Keywords: libraries; civic-engagement