Staffers Claim Black History
Is Downplayed at DCPL
Black staffers at the District of Columbia Public Library went to the media with their unhappiness over what they feel is decreased prominence given to this year’s celebration of Black History Month at the downtown Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library.
Although the library has several exhibits on black history and culture throughout the building, the facility’s basement-level public gallery, which traditionally features such exhibits in February, is currently running an unrelated photography display.
“The lack of sensitivity on the part of the administration disturbs me,” Charles Hicks, president of the library’s union, told the January 31 Washington Times. Staffers told the newspaper that the library’s exhibit coordinator informed them that DCPL’s policy is not to give special consideration to race in scheduling exhibits. They claimed the library’s failure to reserve the gallery had neglected decades of tradition.
At a January 29 meeting with staff members, Director Molly Raphael announced that the library would mount a display of works by local black artists in its windows facing the street as well as in a large first-floor exhibit area. In addition, Raphael told American Libraries that she promised to put operational procedures in place to avoid such bureaucratic oversights and ensure that significant exhibits will be devoted to future Black History Months.
Posted February 4, 2002.
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