The DC Voter
League of Women Voters of the District of Columbia
Vol. 81, No. 10, October 2005

LIBRARY STUDY DATES

See Schedule
Brown Bag Dialogue features
Barbara Webb, Head, Neighborhood Libraries
Monday, October 3, 2005
Library Study Committee Meeting
Wednesday, October 5, 2005
Unit Meetings
Tues.-Thurs. Oct. 18-20, 2005

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OCTOBER 18 FORUM: "NATIONAL CAPITAL MEDICAL CENTER" 

The DC League of Women Voters is co-sponsoring a Ward 6 Issue Forum on the proposed National Capital Medical Center (NCMC) will be held at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, October 18, at the Hine Jr. High School auditorium (8th and Pennsylvania Ave. SE). Opening remarks will be from Ward 6 Councilmember Sharon Ambrose who will host the forum.

Colbert I. King, deputy editor of THE WASHINGTON POST editorial page, will moderate a panel discussion of the proposal for construction of a new $400+ million NCMC hospital complex at the DC General Hospital site in Ward 6. NCMC would be owned by Howard University. A proposal would have the construction costs shared equally by Howard and DC Government.

DC Mayor Anthony Williams and Howard University President H. Patrick Swygert, JD, have been invited to participate on the panel. They have not yet responded, but it is hoped that they will be able to share their vision with Ward 6 residents on October 18 as they did in a similar panel discussion in Ward 7.

Confirmed panelists are the executive director of the DC Hospital Association, Robert Malson, and the executive director of the DC Primary Care Health Association, Sharon Baskerville. The panel discussion will be followed by a question and answer session.

This forum is also sponsored by Advisory Neighborhood Commission 6B, The Capitol Hill Restoration Society, DC for Democracy - Ward 6, Hill East Waterfront Action Network, North Lincoln Park Neighborhood Association Stanton Park Neighborhood Association, and Ward 6 Democrats.

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United Nations 60th Anniversary Luncheon October 24, 2005

The LWVDC Education Fund, LWVUS and other community organizations are joining the United Nations Association in celebrating the United Nations 60th Anniversary at a luncheon on Monday, Oct. 24, 2005.

Under the theme "The UN at 60: Celebration, Reform, Renewal," the luncheon will be at Washington Court Hotel, 525 New Jersey Avenue, NW, noon to 2:00 p.m. Senator Paul Sarbanes will be honored for his years of support for active, constructive U.S. participation in the UN. Proceeds from this fund-raiser will be used in part to expand the activities of the United Nations Association in the DC Public Schools where the UNA has conducted an active Model UN program.

League members are encouraged to attend. Send your checks for $60 payable to UNA-USA ($20 is a tax-deductible contribution) to Christine O'Donnell, UNAUSA, 1779 Massachusetts Ave., NW, Suite 610, Washington, DC 20036. — Sheila Keeny (966-1692), UN Liaison

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League Members Attend 58th United Nations DPI/NGO Conference

The United Nations 58th Department of Public Information (DPI) / Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO) Conference convened on September 7, 2005 in New York City. DC League members Sheila Keeny, Mary Reed, Carol Wansong, and Billie Day were in attendance.

The Conference theme was "Our Challenge: Voices for Peace, Partnership and Renewal." A new feature of the three-day conference was a series of encounters among representatives of civil society and Member states. Addressing the conference were Jean Ping, President of the Fifty-ninth General Assembly, Jan Eliasson, President-Elect of the Sixtieth General Assembly, and Secretary General Kofi Annan.

The issues addressed by the main panelists were the resolution of the problems in Darfur and Sudan as well as destructive environmental choices, poverty, inequality, and exclusion, which precipitate natural disaster and violence.

The final conference day opened with "A Dialogue: The Future of the United Nations" followed by three round table discussions with audience participation. The topics were: Peace and Security, Eradication of Poverty, and The United Nations and Civil Society. Millennium development goals were set during the final session. Secretary General Kofi Annan plea:

Please keep making your voices heard loud and clear enough to lift the sky. And keep raising your voices after that to hold Governments to their promises and to help translate their promises into action.

Although a record number of delegates, 3,500, were preregistered, many of them were unable to obtain visas.

In anticipation of World Summit, 2005, scheduled for September 14-16, 2005, the delegates made this unanimous declaration:

We, the hundreds of NGOs meeting at the UN today, urge at this crucial time in the world's need for security, peace and development, that you embrace the larger vision of the UN to benefit all the people of the world. We urge you to yield narrow interests and to compromise with each other for real change, expressed in concrete terms in the 2005 World Summit Outcome Document. Please do not squander this important opportunity.

Report submitted by Billie Day [As we go to press Billie Day, a former Peace Corps volunteer, is departing for the south to help with Hurricane Katrina Red Cross Relief efforts.]

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WE GRATEFULLY ACKNOWLEDGE

Contributions to the Education Fund by Joan Domike and Sheila Keeny.

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DC Comp Plan Task Force

The Comprehensive Plan Task Force meetings Tuesdays, October 4, November 1 and December 6, 2005, 6:30 - 9:00 pm (777 N Capitol St., NE) are open to the public. Future topics: economic development, the draft plan and implementation

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CONGRESSIONAL REPRESENTATION
DC Voting Rights Committee

The Lobby Corps of the League of Women Voters of the United States currently is lobbying members of Congress on behalf of DC citizens. They are seeking House cosponsors for H.R. 2043, "The District of Columbia Fairness in Representation Act", which has been introduced by Representative Tom Davis of Virginia. As chairman of the Government Reform Committee he has promised to hold hearings on the bill this fall. To maintain the current political balance along with the additional seat for DC, Utah would until the 2010 census receive another seat. The bill may be read at Thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/DC109.

There are just two LWVDC members of the Lobby Corps. Anyone interested in joining should contact Angela Canterbury at 429-1965 at LWVUS. — Kathy Schmidt (237-5550), Chair

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LWVUS Writes Bush

The LWVUS President wrote the following letter on September 12, 2005 to President George W. Bush: "Dear Mr. President: The League of Women Voters is deeply concerned that the UN Summit Outcome Document has been diluted by the United States and some other countries in recent weeks. This is jeopardizing a historic effort to end global poverty, promote peace and strengthen the United Nations, and undermines efforts to address global problems. The United States is missing out on a unique opportunity to show the world what our values stand for in concrete terms. The U.S. should be a leader in support of freedom and democracy and in the fight to eliminate poverty, end war, promote gender equality, protect human rights, and support the United Nations.

At this crucial time in the world's need for security, peace and development, we urge that you embrace the larger vision of the UN to benefit all the people of the world. We ask you and all the UN member states to abandon narrow interests and to work with each other for real change, expressed in concrete terms in the 2005 World Summit Outcome Document. Please do not squander this important opportunity. We live at a time when the world faces many critical challenges that can only be resolved if all nations work together. We expect the United States government to play a constructive role in achieving this.

Respectfully, Kay J. Maxwell, President"

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PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

Units offer each member the opportunity to join our library study. Almost every Leaguer can report on valuable personal experience. Please try to get to a Unit or committee meeting.

Events in Transportation: The Tom Davis bill on Federal funding for Metro (National Capital Transportation Amendment Act of 2005, H.R. 3496) was reviewed at the Transportation Planning Board Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) meeting.

CAC members are identifying ambiguities in the $1.5 billion Metro funding bill. It is not clear if the funds could apply to needed bus garages and other bus system capital costs, or to any part of the rail system approved since the original 103-mile system was adopted. More recent parts of the rail system include the New York Avenue station and eight-car station upgrade. Greater CAC attention to proposed public-private financing of major road projects is being planned. To view any House or Senate bill and find out its status, go to http://Thomas.loc.gov on the Internet.

At a Washington Regional Network forum, DC Department of Transportation (DOT) Director Dan Tangherlini reported that the congressional "buy America" requirement for bus purchases has excluded from our fleet some quieter, better-designed vehicles. — Gracie Makakoff

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NCA News and Notes

The LWVNCA Board met on September 9 with representation from state and local leagues of Maryland,  Virginia, and DC.

NCA Vice President Pat Sullivan of Alexandria reported that her League supported dosing the Mirant Power Plant, which provided a large part of its output to the District of Columbia. ELIZABETH A. NOEL, the people's counsel for the District of Columbia, commented, 'The situation at the Potomac River Power Plant is unfortunate, but not necessarily detrimental", and "Most important, we are reminded consumers can do their part by monitoring their electric usage to assure that too much demand is not placed on the system until the summer months are over. Efficient consumption of energy is always prudent - now more than ever."

UPCOMING NCA LEAGUE EVENTS: On October 27 A workshop on Membership, Money, and Visibility at Towson University. Hosted by the Maryland State League, call Joan Trafton, 301-530-8567 for information. On November 12 1:003:30 pm at the Annandale campus of NOVA (Northern Virginia Community College) the LWV of Fairfax (LWVFA) will conduct a panel discussion on CEDAW (Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women) which has been ratified by 177 countries, but not the United States. [Last year, our DC Council urged by the DC League and other groups, approved a resolution to support the adoption of CEDAW by the U.S.] — Frances Gemmill, (362-6784), NCA Liaison

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League Admirer Opens Private Edvard Munch Collection, NOVEMBER 10

Mrs. Sally Epstein, Washington activist for women and a longtime fan of the League, will open her private collection of works by the renowned Norwegian artist Edvard Munch. Hers is one of, if not the largest collection of Munch graphics in the United States.

She will open her home on November 10 in both morning and afternoon sessions and will present a slide talk to explain the reasons for her passion for his work. League visitors will then understand the background events and emotions of Munch pictures as they tour her home.

Because only a limited number of art lovers can participate at each session, advance reservations are required. A minimum contribution of $25 per person for League members and $35 per person for non-League members is asked. Please use the contribution/reservation form. — Joan Wilson, 2nd Vice President (237-6264)

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CALENDAR: OCTOBER 2005

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Special Library Pull Out

The League gratefully thanks the DC Public Library Public Information Office for the information provided below.

A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PUBLIC LIBRARY

The District of Columbia Public Library was created by an act of Congress in 1896 "to furnish books and other printed matter and information service convenient to the homes and offices of all residents of the District." The establishment of the Library was largely due to the long and arduous efforts of Theodore W. Noyes, editor of The Evening Star. Mr. Noyes served as president of the Board of Library Trustees for 50 years.

The D.C. Public Library was located in a house at 1326 New York Avenue, N.W. from 1898 until 1903. In 1899 Andrew Carnegie donated funds to build the Central Library at Mount Vernon Square (photo left).

The building was dedicated in 1903 with President Theodore Roosevelt attending the ceremony. The first branch was built in 1912 in Takoma Park and additional facilities were added over the years.

In 1972, the Central Library was replaced by the large, modern Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library (photo right) at 9th and G Streets, N.W. The new main library was designed by Mies van der Rohe and is eight times the size of the original Carnegie Library. The branch system now includes four regional branch libraries, 17 local branch libraries, four community libraries and a kiosk.

As the number of buildings has grown, so have the services offered by the Library. Patrons may now choose from a broad range of audiovisual materials as well as books and magazines. There are services for the blind and physically handicapped persons, the homebound, and the institutionalized. There are telephone information services, a mobile services for senior citizens, services for the deaf, a system-wide Community Information Service, book-on-tape, a video rental service, a mobile service to licensed family day care providers for children, and many programs and activities to inform, educate and enrich the public.

LIBRARY FACTS

Adaptive Services

The Adaptive Services Division serves library customers who need some form of accommodation in order to fully access the Library's materials, programs and services. The Division houses the Older Adults Service, a program that currently uses a Bookmobile to reach adults over the age of 55 with Large Print books and programming delivered by the Older Adult Service Coordinator. This program for seniors will be expanding. The Librarian to the Deaf Community conducts programs of interest to the Deaf Community; conducts programs about Deaf Community and Culture; and coordinates some 20+ volunteers to join with her in giving American Sign Language classes throughout the library system and in several locations [which vary from time to time] outside the library. The Division serves as the Regional Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped in the Library of Congress network of regional libraries distributing Braille and Talking Books to blind, visually impaired, and other properly certified individuals who cannot read, hold or turn the pages of standard print reading materials. A component of this latter service is the delivery of Large Print and Talking Books (with playback equipment) to persons with limited mobility living in their own homes, or in a variety of institutions. Persons may be eligible for Talking Books for the short term, such as patients in hospitals, or for the long-term, such as persons in nursing homes, or assisted-living establishments.

Mobile library units

• Senior Bookmobile: serves older adults in nursing homes, senior wellness centers, and senior residences. It visits about 20 institutions a month. Activities include book discussion groups and crafts. The vehicle is over 10 years old and does not have Internet access.
• Xtreme Mobile: is the Library's brand new mobile unit. Scheduled to roll out during the fall of 2005, it will visit neighborhoods where library access is limited. It will carry materials for all ages and will be equipped with computers and Internet access. The Xtreme Mobile will also be used at community affairs to bring attention to the Library and its programs.
• ROAR Van: This vehicle allows librarians to visit day care centers throughout the system. A new van will be used starting in the fall of 2005.

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PUBLIC LIBRARY STATISTICS FY2005*

• Circulation: DCPL's circulation for the month of August was 97,672. Total circulation for FY05* year-to-date is 1,007,924.
• Library Card Registrations: In August there were 3,175 new library card registrants and 34,123 for FY05* year-to-date.
• Public Computer Usage: There were 34,227 computer sessions on our 242 public computers in August and a total of 228,892 public computer user sessions in FY05* year-to-date.
• Meeting Room Usage: In August, there were 8,470 people who used our meeting rooms. That number is 91,180 for FY05* year-to-date.
• Visitors: In August there were approximately 174,811 visitors to the library system. For FY05* yearto-date, the gate count for our libraries is 1,644,468.
• Children's Programs: In August there were approximately 5,425 children who attended children's programs in the library system. For FY05* year-to-date, the number of children who attended children's programs is 80,943.

*The 2005 Fiscal Year is October 1, 2004, through September 30, 2005.

LIBRARY ADDRESSES AND HOURS

DC Public Library Study Continues
Brown Bag Dialogue
Barbara Webb, Head, Neighborhood Libraries

Monday, October 3, 2005, 11:30 am-1:30 pm
1730 M Street, NW, 10th Floor Conference Room
Bring your questions, your lunch, and a friend.

LIBRARY STUDY COMMITTEE MEETING
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5,11:00 am
1730 M Street, NW, 10th Floor
Final preparations for Unit meetings and draft survey

OCTOBER UNITS TAKE ON LIBRARY SURVEY

October Units will organize teams to survey library operations.
The latest: DC Public School system libraries will be included in the two-year study.
Survey questions and materials will be available at the Unit meetings.

All League members are encouraged to attend the Unit meeting of their choice to participate in this extensive library survey. If you are unable to attend a unit meeting, but wish to participate in the survey call the League office