Kevin Chavous
A Mayor for every neighborhood

Public Libraries

Kevin Chavous recognizes that public libraries have always been more than depositories of books. Today, our libraries have to be more than libraries. The buildings themselves are critical meeting spaces for our neighborhoods. Their books, magazines, tapes and other resources are the essential elements that help students and residents compete in academic programs and on the job. Libraries are hubs of information and places where are residents can access computers and other information technologies.

Kevin Chavous’ Proposals

I. Open the libraries 12 hours a day, seven days a week

Libraries must be available to our neighborhoods as meeting and program spaces, as well as places where students and families have access to computers, on-line reference materials and the internet. Our libraries must be open when our neighborhoods need them — 12 hours a day, seven days a week.

II. Provide access to computers and other research and information technologies

Low-income families rarely have money for personal computers nor are they able to stay current with software advances, telecommunication technologies or the internet. Our libraries should be centers where DC families, students, seniors — all residents — have access to computers for word processing, data sorting, research and internet access.

III. Coordinate public library services with those of public schools

We are in the middle of an information explosion. Communication technologies tie university libraries together. It’s time all our students develop the skills to access information, in their schools and in their city.