R. L. Christian Library, after hours.
H Street's R. L. Christian library will close its doors by the end of this year. This was largely a funding issue, and the decision is based on the hopes that a library will open inside the Rosedale Recreation Center [I was hoping they'd place one in the field house type building they are constructing as part of the new Wheatley Elementary]. Via the Post.
10 comments:
The land where the library sits was up for bid as part of a mixed use development opportunity, with a shiny new library as part of it. Not sure what ever happened with that though. Check out the following:
http://www.anc6a.org/hottopicGreatSt.html
[Insert jeremiad about how youth will have to walk an extra 4 blocks to the library on MD Ave, thus making the DC government solely culpable for every act of juvenile crime going forward.]
SHAME!
I'm disappointed the library will close, although I never used it.
I used to go to the Fairfax County library near my house when I lived out there years ago but admit I haven't ventured into a DC library. If a large, new, modern library were built along H Street, I'd use it no doubt.
Sounds like a pretty reasonable decision to close the branch, considering the cost savings, staffing needs, and how little the kiosk gets used relative to other library facilities.
The one story building wasn't a very effective use of street-front space in an urban business district. Hopefully, someone will put forward a reasonable redevelopment plan and continue H street on its path of renewal.
There was a proposal to build a new R L Christian library with a cafe, as a part of a mixed use building. However, the Christian family protested. They thought making the library "only" a part of a building diminished the memory of their dad.
it wasn't the best library, but there were a lot of kids in the surrounding area who used it. when i have been in there, most of them were on the computer (a lot of them were using it to check myspace, but some seemed to be doing actual research and some kids appeared to be also doing homework in there as well). others appeared to be just reading for the sake of it, which is always awesome to see.
if kids are gonna be hanging out on h st killing time, they might as well be reading.
ibc,
The distance between 13th and H St and 7th and Maryland is WAY more than four blocks (unless you know of a library on maryland i overlooked).
put yourself in the shoes of a parent with young children who lives, say, on 14th and I. This means you'd have to walk about 11 blocks (including some VERY long blocks) to walk with your kids to the local library, starting january 2009 when the weather is FREEZING. that's just not cool (no pun), if you ask me. it wasn't the best library, but if you couldn't afford to buy your kids a bunch of children's books, i imagine it was somewhat convenient.
does anyone know if there will be a new library facility in the same location? thanks to tom a for posting that ANC plan. anyone know if it's still in effect and what the planned re-open date looks like if that is still the plan?
I'm stunned that this library is being closed without a discussion with the community. It was just renovated a few years with ago. It's a cozy and well lit safe place for kids to read. What kind of community closes libraries and opens dog parks? We should have several of both kinds of places.
My neighbors think that this closing is more about the city making land available for developers, than saving the library system money. They could be correct.
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