Posted December 3, 2004.

D.C. Library Funding Package Killed As Stadium Gets Approved

The District of Columbia Council approved a plan November 30 to build a stadium for the Washington Nationals (the former Montreal Expos team newly purchased by Major League Baseball) but nixed an amendment that would have provided the D.C. Public Library system with $45 million—enough to build eight libraries or renovate 17—as the centerpiece of a community investment package. The amendment was tacked on to the stadium plan to mollify critics who charge that the publicly funded sports complex would result in minimal benefit to the community.

Library advocates were not too surprised at the outcome. “Even when I first heard that there might be this one-time windfall for the library, I felt that I just entered the twilight zone,” DCPL trustee Philip Pannell said in the December 1 Washington Post. “The fact that it has not become a reality doesn’t really surprise me.”

Council Chairman Linda W. Cropp had proposed eliminating the library commitment, but promised to introduce legislation in January to boost library support. No one on the council disputed the need for extra funding for the cash-strapped library system, which has been operating under reduced hours and staffing.

Posted December 3, 2004.