WASHINGTON, D.C. – May 23, 2006 – The DC Library Renaissance Project looks forward to working with the newly appointed director of DC Public Library, Ginnie Cooper. The fact of her appointment at long last is encouraging news. DCPL has not had a permanent director for more than three years. Library Renaissance hopes that Ginnie Cooper will prove to be the strong leader needed.

In announcing Ms. Cooper’s appointment, the Board of Library Trustees spoke of “regeneration,” using the word in terms of new buildings without mention of the many internal problems plaguing DCPL.

Library Renaissance spokesperson Robin Diener said, “We hope the new director is prepared get her hands dirty in the messy work of reforming an established culture of evasiveness, cronyism, and low expectations. Shock therapy is really what is needed. Administering it will not be easy. We fear the Trustees may have used the pleasant prospect of new buildings to mask the urgent need for systemic overhaul.”

Among the issues Library Renaissance looks forward to discussing with Director Cooper are creating a culture of service, providing reliable access to technology, ensuring scheduled maintenance, emphasizing groundskeeping, minimizing the impact of the homeless population on the library, improving outreach to Friends of the Library groups, expanding programming, marketing library services, reducing overlap of services with other agencies, using volunteers to deliver programs and defray costs, and fundraising through the private sector. These issues are all addressed in “A Blueprint for Cynicism” at savedclibraries.org.

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For Immediate Release

Contact: Robin Diener

202/387-7776