Council member wants four branch libraries reopened

WASHINGTON (Map, News) - Council Member Harry “Tommy” Thomas Jr. plans to focus on speeding renovations at four closed neighborhood libraries during a hearing today on the library system’s finances.

Thomas said Friday he seeks information about pending construction at the libraries located on Benning Road in Northeast, at 8th Street and Rhode Island Avenue in Northwest, in Anacostia and in Tenleytown.

“They were closed for reconstruction,” Thomas said. “It hasn’t happened yet. We want to make sure it does happen.”

The District’s libraries became an explosive issue last year when the council took on legislation that would have closed the downtown Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library in favor of a new site. Supporters of the move considered the downtown flagship branch outdated and too costly to renovate. Opponents countered that the 30-year-old Mies Van Der Rohe-designed library should be remodeled.

“Libraries got to grab you these days, they really do,” Thomas said. “They should be a place that's friendly, inviting, high tech, all of those things you want a library to be.”

While today’s hearing didn’t intend to reopen the library issue, Thomas said he was sure it would come up. He said his priority is developing the neighborhood libraries first before taking on the MLK branch.

The oversight hearing, planned for 10 a.m., will also look at the financial strains caused by extended and Sunday hours at some branches, he said.

“When we moved to Sundays, we had some overtime issues with time and a half and we need to make sure that's realized,” Thomas said.

cmabeus@dcexaminer.com

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