EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS REPORT

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH

The Library is again participating in National Hispanic Heritage Month to celebrate the history,
culture, and contributions of American citizens of Hispanic descent. Library staff shared
information about the DC Public Library at FiestaDC on September 16 and made contact with
450 people as they distributed 500 bilingual children's books during this citywide celebration of
Hispanic culture. Special programs will include a performance of the Luis Garay Percussion
World Duo at Tenley Neighborhood Library on September 23 and a panel discussion on DC
Latino murals at Mt. Pleasant Neighborhood Library on September 27. Throughout the month,
librarians will present story times, book clubs, films, and crafts that celebrate Hispanic culture.
SEPTEMBER 15OCTOBER 15, 2017 | ALL LIBRARY LOCATIONS

UNCENSORED: BANNED BOOKS WEEK

Every September, DC Public Library celebrates Banned Books Week and the freedom to read by
hosting a variety of programs and events addressing the issue of censorship. For the second
year, the DC Public Library Foundation partnered with local businesses to execute a city-wide
banned books scavenger hunt. Starting Tuesday, September 5, hundreds of banned books were
hidden throughout the District at bookstores, DCPL neighborhood libraries, coffee shops, and
other public spaces. Scavenger hunt participants have the opportunity to win raffle prizes and
giveaways from local businesses when they find a specially-wrapped banned book and post to
social media using #UncensoredDC. Fifteen of the 800 books will be "golden ticket" books,
granting a free pair of tickets to the UNCENSORED Underground cocktail party on September
30. This year, children and teens will also be able to participate in a special UNCENSORED:
Youth Scavenger Hunt hosted by select neighborhood libraries. Kids aged 10 -15 years old will
have 45 minutes to solve a series of banned book clues in order to win prizes.
SEPTEMBER 24SEPTEMBER 30, 2017 | WWW.DCLIBRARY.ORG/BANNEDBOOKS

OVERCOMING THE EDUCATIONAL CHALLENGES OF

BUILDING A SKILLED WORKFORCE
DC Public Library Executive Director Richard Reyes-Gavilan will provide afternoon keynote
remarks at the quarterly conference of the Government Finance Officers Association
Washington Metropolitan Area Chapter. Remarks will include examples of how DCs public
libraries are contributing or planning to contribute to the development of skills of residents,
including those of the citys many vulnerable populations.
SEPTEMBER 28, 2017 | UNIVERSITY OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA | 4200 CONNECTICUT AVE NW

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UNCENSORED UNDERGROUND: THE COCKTAIL PARTY
UNCENSORED Underground is DC Public Library Foundation's annual fundraiser celebrating the
freedom to read, create and express. The evening will feature signature cocktails inspired by
local bartenders favorite banned books, live music by Cheick Hamala Diabat and JoGo Project,
a pop-up market with local retailers; a DCPL maker station, provocative artwork by Robin Bell
and more. More information and tickets are available at dcplf.org/uncensored2017.
SEPTEMBER 30, 2017 | 7:00 PM | DUPONT UNDERGROUND, 19 DUPONT CIR NW

DEPARTMENT OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH PARTNERSHIP

Later this fall, DCPL will begin an exciting new partnership between DCPL and the DC
Department of Behavioral Health. With funding from a federal Cooperative Agreement to
Benefit Homeless Individuals grant, DCPL is hiring four Peer Outreach Specialists to engage
with and support customers experiencing homelessness in and around public libraries. These
outreach specialists will refer customers to service providers to connect them with basic needs,
including access to food, clothing, showers, laundry, and agencies that assist with permanent
housing solutions. The following branches will be participating: Anacostia, Benning, Mount
Pleasant, Northwest One, Shaw, and Southeast Neighborhood Libraries.
FALL 2017 | SELECT DCPL LOCATIONS

LAMOND-RIGGS COMMUNITY MEETING

The Library will host a preliminary meeting with the community to discuss plans to rebuild the
Lamond-Riggs Neighborhood Library, including project timeline and the process for community
engagement.
OCTOBER 5, 2017 | 7:00 PM | LAMOND-RIGGS LIBRARY, 5401 SOUTH DAKOTA AVE NE

HOLIDAY SERVICES LAUNCH

DC Public Library kicks off holiday services beginning on Columbus Day. Eight neighborhood
libraries, one in each ward, will provide a full range of services and programs to District
residents. Mt. Pleasant Library (Ward One), Georgetown Library (Ward Two), Tenley Library
(Ward Three), Petworth Library (Ward Four), Woodridge Library (Ward Five), Shaw Library
(Ward Six), Benning Library (Ward Seven), and Anacostia Library (Ward Eight) will be open from
9:30 AM to 5:30 PM. The Library will also be open on Veterans Day, MLK Day, Presidents Day,
and DC Emancipation Day.
OCTOBER 9, 2017 | SELECT LIBRARY LOCATIONS

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KIMBERLY BRUBAKER BRADLEY AUTHOR VISIT
Kimberly Brubaker Bradley, New York Times bestselling author and Newbery Medal Honor
recipient for her novel, The War that Saved My Life, will discuss her new follow-up book, The
War I Finally Won, followed by a Q&A and book signing.
OCTOBER 11, 2017 | 4:30 PM | CHEVY CHASE LIBRARY, 5625 CONNECTICUT AVE NW

URBAN LIBRARIES COUNCIL ANNUAL FORUM:

LEADING IN A DEMOCRACY
This three-day annual conference will focus on the role libraries play in promoting civic
engagement, equity, and services to immigrants. A workshop presented by RaceForward and its
Government Alliance on Race and Equity a national network of government cohorts working
together to achieve racial equity and advance opportunities for all will be part of the
conference and teach attendees how they can achieve racial equity and eliminate racial
inequities in our communities.
OCTOBER 1113, 2017 | ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA

CHASING LIGHT PHOTO EXHIBIT AND AUTHOR TALK

This fall, former White House photographer Amanda Lucidon will exhibit photos from her new
book Chasing Light: Michelle Obama Through the Lens of a White House Photographer at Mt.
Pleasant Neighborhood Library. The exhibit includes an author talk on November 2, where
Lucidon will speak about personal reflections and behind-the-scenes stories from her four years
as an Official White House Photographer covering First Lady Michelle Obama.
OCTOBER 17NOVEMBER 10, 2017 | MT. PLEASANT LIBRARY, 3160 16TH ST NW

NDP AT 3: ENVISIONING THE NEXT THREE YEARS OF THE

NATIONAL DIGITAL PLATFORM
DC Public Library Executive Director Richard Reyes-Gavilan will participate in a meeting focused
on Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) funding for digital projects in libraries,
museums, and archives through its national digital platform (NDP) project category. As IMLS
concludes its third year of NDP funding through the National Leadership Grants for Libraries
Program and the Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program, it will revisit what has been
accomplished so far and explore future directions for this work. Meeting attendees will include
a broad range of representatives of the countrys libraries, museums, and affiliated
organizations. IMLS aims to identify concrete insights, including priority areas for funding,
topics for future research, opportunities for collaboration, and other tangible outcomes.
OCTOBER 17, 2017 | ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA

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NATIONAL NOVEL WRITING MONTH IN NOVEMBER
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. Library staff will support
local writers at "Come Write-In" sessions across the city, with quiet spaces set aside for
participants to work on their novels and make connections with other local writers. Writers will
track their progress online, and the month will culminate with a special event for writers who
complete their novels.
NOVEMBER 130, 2017 | ALL LIBRARY LOCATIONS

LIBRARY JOURNAL DIRECTORS SUMMIT

This year's summit (last hosted by DC Public Library in 2015) will focus on the library's role in
civic reinvention and the new face of public engagement. Attendees and expert presenters will
explore the trends that are reshaping public life, how civic leaders are responding with projects
small and large, and how the library fits in as both a public place and a key source of visionary
leadership.
NOVEMBER 23, 2017 | FREE LIBRARY OF PHILADELPHIA, PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA

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