It is customary to hang yellow ribbons while hoping for the release of a hostage. Today, Anacostia residents gathered at the boarded doors of their library to hang ribbons in hopes that, after two long years of being held hostage, their library would be returned to them.

The library was shuttered on December 31, 2004 for rebuilding, and the Board of Library Trustees promised the residents a modern library, which the City Council had already appropriated funds for. The bright dreams of a modern library, however, soon fizzled when construction was delayed time and time again. The board of Trustees eventually canceled the projcets, citing rising construction costs. Three million dollars had already been spent on construction plans.

Today's rally was the second time Anacostia residents took to the streets in hopes of having their library reopened. There was an open microphone set up and Anacostia residents spoke alongside city council memebers, ANC comissioners, and mayoral candidates, all expressing dismay after 20 months with a shuttered library.


Joy Pinkney, an Anacostia resident who helped organize the rally


Chris Otten, DC Statehood Green Candidate for Mayor


A young poet speaks of her desire for a library in her neighborhood

Materials were available, with which to make signs and banners, and residents painted their messages, which were hung on the fence surrounding the library after the rally.





There were some hopeful signs for the residents. The new chief librarian of the DC Public Library, Ginnie Cooper, laid out ambitious plans to get the rebuilding back on track and unveiled a book mobile as a stop gap measure. The book mobile, still two weeks away from being open to the public, will have eight internet stations as well as a few thousand books. Ms. Cooper promised to work to repopen the library and that the book mobile will be parked in front of the boarded library five days a week until the doors are opened again.


Ginnie Cooper, DC Chief Librarian, inside the book mobile


Anacostia residents exploring the book mobile

All of the speakers welcomed the book mobile, but agreed that it was no replacement for the library. The future of the library remains uncertain, but if the energy of this rally was any indicator, Anacostia residents will not give up until the hostage is released.


Rally attendees tying yellow ribbons to show that their library is being held hostage


Anacostia residents displaying library cards they can't use in their neighborhood