Critical Vote on DC Library issues: Your voice crucial.

From the Committee of 100 on the Federal City :

URGENT LEGISLATIVE ALERT
Critical Vote To Save Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library
5 DC Councilmembers Need to Hear From YOU!

The DC Council’s Committee on Education, Libraries and Recreation is scheduled to vote on the fate of Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library (MLK).

When: Tuesday, November 21 at 3pm
Where: Room 123, John Wilson Building, 1350 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
Legislation: Bill 16-734, the “Library Transformation Act of 2006”

The bill allows the city to lease MLK to a private entity for 99 years, and construct a new library at the former Convention Center site (old CC”). The five Councilmembers on the Committee need to hear from you now in opposition to the bill.

· In Person: Attend the hearing on Tuesday, Nov. 21 at 3 pm, and bring friends. A packed room of MLK supporters may convince the Councilmembers to vote no on Bill 16-734.

Contact the 5 Councilmembers: e-mail, call or fax . . .
Councilmember Marion Barry: mbarry@dccouncil.us (202) 724-8045 / Fax:(202) 698-2388

Councilmember Vincent Gray: vgray@dccouncil.us (202) 724-8068 / Fax: (202) 724-8097

Councilmember Phil Mendelson: pmendelson@dccouncil.us (202) 724-8064 / Fax: (202) 724-8099

Councilmember Kathy Patterson: kpatterson@dccouncil.us (202) 724-8062 / Fax: (202) 724-8118

Councilmember Carol Schwartz: cschwartz@dccouncil.us (202) 724-8105 / Fax: (202) 724-8071

Talking Points
· As a member of the Committee of 100 on the Federal City, I urge you to oppose Bill 16-734, the “Library Transformation Act of 2006.”
· The old CC site is a second-rate location with no Metro stops within 800 feet (2 blocks). MLK has five stops serving every Metro line!
· The old CC building would be too small, with trapezoidal floor plans that don’t allow for future expansion. MLK is large and flexible. Its “universal space” can be reconfigured now and in the future based on need.
· The old CC building would be a mixed-use facility, which could include offices, condos and a shoe store. MLK is a stand-alone facility.
· MLK was dedicated to Martin Luther King Jr. in 1971 and it has served as an annual gathering place to honor his legacy. It is not just a plaque that you attach to another building.
· The city can lease or sell the old CC site and apply that money to renovate MLK.

Talking Points Incorporated Into Sample Letter
Date

Dear Councilmember __________:

As a member of the Committee of 100 on the Federal City, I urge you to oppose Bill 16-734, the “Library Transformation Act of 2006” that would authorize leasing the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library for 99 years and building a new central library on the old convention center site (“old CC”).

The old CC site is a second-rate location with no Metro stops within 800 feet (2 blocks). MLK has five stops serving every Metro line! The old CC building would be too small, with trapezoidal floor plans that don’t allow for future expansion. MLK is large and flexible. Its “universal space” can be reconfigured now and in the future based on need. The old CC building would be a mixed-use facility, which could include offices, condos and a shoe store. MLK is a stand-alone facility.

Of primary importance, MLK was dedicated to Martin Luther King Jr. in 1971 and has served as an annual gathering place to honor his legacy. It is not just a plaque that you attach to another building.

The city can lease or sell the old CC site and apply that money to renovating MLK. I urge you to vote no on Bill 16-734.
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Note that while I am not necessarily against mixed use in general, that isn't true of centerpiece public buildings such as the Central Library. There is no reason to have non-cultural related other functions in the Central Library. Sure there can be cafe and gift shops, and also visitor information services, exhibits, etc., but no need to put in a Talbots or some such.

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