Is this an innovative idea?  Someone must think so! 

Attending the ALA 2007 Annual Conference in Washington, D. C. was a highlight for me from a professional standpoint.  I learned a great deal while attending and spent some personal time touring the city.  “So much to see and so little time” applies regardless of the length of visit to this facinating area. 

I have a habit of visiting libraries when I travel.  Due to time constraints on my visit to Washington, D.C., I passed on visiting the Library of Congress in favor of spending time at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library.  I enjoyed sharing ideas with staff, browsing the collection and checking out the programming ideas and collecting Library handouts.  I also remember how impressed I was with the items for sale in the store to promote the Library.

Today I am dismayed to learn that funding cuts are in order at MLK Memorial Library.  The plan includes closing on Fridays.  An article in the Washington Post notes that Friday is the least busy day at the Library.   Strange, at WDFPL users make suggestions to extend Library hours on Friday  until 9:00 pm. 

Libraries need government and community support to grow.  As a New Jersey librarian, I am proud of the State’s support for literacy initiatives.  I am sure it is difficult to keep morale high and creativity flowing on the job while facing the ominous reduction of service hours and staff.  Upon my visit to Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library, I encountered hard working Library staff members providing public service to the best of their ability with limited resources. 

What does Washington, D.C. do to market libraries and create buzz about library services?  Do those in power understand the societal benefits reaped by providing library service?  

Here’s an interesting fact sheet from DCLearns.org validating the need for advancing literacy in the Washington, D.C. area.  Literacy skills are necessary for life long learning across America and I applaud DCLearns.org for their web presence and posted strategic plan.  

Question:  where are the links to the library system fon the DCLearns.org homepage?  I couldn’t locate any.

BTW - Did I mention that Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library does a great job of harnessing the power of volunteers from the community.  

Comments regarding this situation would be greatly appreciated as I am confused about the direction of literacy growth in the nation’s capital.  

I’ve often heard librarians complain “nobody reads library signs.”  Here’s a library sign that is getting a lot of attention.  Deptford Library is promoting the New Jersey State Library summer reading program on a Deptford Mall storefront that is closed due to renovation.  

My first photo attempt failed as I couldn’t get a clean shot at the signage due to the crowds walking past the storefront.  Saturday spelled success.  Check it out! 

It is great to see community business support for the New Jersey Summer Reading Program.  The new twist at Dippy’s Ice Cream Shop is not found atop a cone but rather posted to the order window.  Take a good look at the window above these two smiling faces and you will see a familiar graphic used to promote the New Jersey State Library’s Summer Reading Program.  This ice cream spot is busy day and night throughout the summer months. 

What could be more American than community support for reading and libraries on this Independence Day!  Wishing everyone a happy and healthy 4th of July!