INTERIM CHIEF LIBRARIANS REPORT

Library News & Highlights January 22, 2014

1. NaNo WriMo Each year, National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) encourages people to take on the challenge of writing a 50,000 word first draft of a novel in only 30 days. Every year more than 300,000 people participate in NaNoWriMo activities around the world. This year the DC Public Library made a commitment to support local NaNo Writers, by providing space and friendly competition along with a fantastic prize pack for registered participants who met their word count goal. The prize pack included vouchers for workshops on creating cover art and typesetting a book, as well as one free print-out of the book from the print-on-demand book machine.
In This Issue 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. NaNo WrMo New Executive Director Named Moby Dick Marathon Our Heroes Exhibit Woodridge Volunteer Wins Award The Momentum Awards DC Health Link Enrollment Fair Muslim Journeys Woodridge Memorial Wall

2. New Executive Director Named Mayor Vincent C. Gray and the Board of Library Trustees announce the new executive director, Richard ReyesGavilan. Richard comes to the DC Public Library from the Brooklyn Public Library where he served as chief librarian. In Brooklyn, Richard spearheaded the Open Libraries Initiative, an organizational capacity assessment that resulted in 440 additional hours of public service per week across the system. In 2013, he provided the public service vision for Brooklyn Public Librarys strategic plan. Richard began his career at the New York Public Library, where he developed Spanish-language collections for neighborhood libraries in the Bronx. He earned a Master of Library and Information Science from the University of Texas at Austin and an undergraduate degree in literature from the State University of New York at Albany.
Document # 9.1 Board of Library Trustees Meeting January 22, 2014
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3. Moby Dick Marathon

On Saturday, January 4th several staff of the DC Public Library joined hundreds for the 18th annual MobyDick Marathon. The Moby-Dick Marathon at the New Bedford Whaling Museum is the worlds best known readathon of Herman Melville's literary masterpiece. Readers included professors, fishermen, school teachers, students, congressmen, mayors, city councilors, journalists, physicians, clergy, and other lovers of Melville and Moby-Dick.

Maria Esher and David Gillette, staff of the MLK Library, read along at the Moby Dick Marathon in New Bedford Connecticut

4. Our Heroes Exhibit at MLKML

The Our Heroes exhibit shared portraits and stories that archive the journey and heroism of individuals fighting against AIDS in Washington, D.C. The complete collection includes 205 black and white photos of individuals, places, events and organizations who have made an impact against AIDS in D.C. over the past 32 years. This exhibit is the largest of its kind in the United States. The collection was donated to the DC Public Library as a gift from Our Heroes lead organizer Wallace Corbett.

5. Woodridge Volunteer Wins Award

In December, Mayor Gray and Serve DC held the Annual Mayors Community Service Awards. This annual event showcases District residents who have made a significant, positive impact in their community through volunteerism and service. This year Jocelyn Coleman, a dedicated Woodridge Library volunteer, received a Service Star award from the Mayors Office on Volunteerism. Jocelyn volunteers in many ways including creating displays, programs, and many activities completed by library associates.
Woodridge Volunteer Receives Mayors Service Award

6. The Momentum Awards Each year the Momentum Awards, given by the Downtown DC BID, recognizes outstanding achievement in Downtown DC. This year the Digital Commons at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library was honored for making the Downtown experience vibrant, inviting and smart by providing a state -of-the-art incubator space and innovative technologies for the public. The award ceremony took place at the Carnegie Librarys Literary Hall.
Document # 9.1 Board of Library Trustees Meeting January 22, 2014
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7. DC Health Link Enrollment Fair

On Saturday, November 23, 2013, more than 530 District residents convened at the MLK Library to learn more about DC Health Link and health insurance options at the DC Health Link Enrollment Fair. More than 75 people enrolled and hundreds more received information, participated in heath and fitness activities, including yoga, and were entertained by local radio personalities. MLK Library also has an enrollment center that is open through March 31st.

DC Health Link in partnership with DC Public Library held a successful health fair with exhibits and healthcare professionals who were ready to provide DC residents with healthcare insurance assistance.

8. Muslim Journeys
Bridging Cultures (a National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) initiative) engages the power of the humanities to promote understanding of and mutual respect for people with diverse histories, cultures, and perspectives within the United States and abroad. This year's program entitled Muslim Journeys partnered with the DC Public Library. Nine libraries in D.C. received a set of 25 books and three videos on Islamic culture, both historic and contemporary, and these locations hosted a series of special Muslim Journeys themed events over the course of the entire year.

9. The Woodridge Memorial Wall

The Memorial wall evolved as a way for the community to commemorate the closing and remodel of their beloved Woodridge Neighborhood Library. Located in the children's room, the wall was meant to attract mostly kids and teens. Some farewells include: When one young teen was asked to write on the wall, she said "Seriously? I thought you'd never ask... I LOVE THIS!" She is a quiet teen who spends a lot of time on the computer. She wrote very sweetly: "Dar was here. And thanks for all the help." "The Woodridge Library is where I learned to play violin. Thank you for that opportunity."
Children line up to leave a message on memory wall

Document # 9.1 Board of Library Trustees Meeting January 22, 2014

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