The former Deanwood Library Kiosk stands today as a monument to inequality in Ward 7 in Washington DC. Located at 4215 Nannie Helen Burroughs Ave. NE near Minnesota Ave. NE, this Kiosk sits in front of a bikeshare station and Marvin Gaye Park and Trail. 

Built in July 1976, 200 years after the ratification of the Declaration of Independence, the Deanwood Library Kiosk is 120 square feet. That was the most DC government's cost-saving moratorium allowed in the historic African American community of Deanwood until a moderately larger library was built in the Deanwood Community Center in 2010. In 2020 the Kiosk was damaged by a car and is now rumored to be scheduled for demolition by DC government.  

We the undersigned DEMAND that the Deanwood Library Kiosk not be demolished. Unfortunately, it is unclear which government agency is responsible for the Kiosk. This is unacceptable. We believe that it's under the purview of the DC Department of General Services (DGS). We the undersigned advocate to SAVE the Deanwood Library Kiosk from demolition as we reimagine, reinvest, and repurpose the space for community use, while honoring its history.

We DEMAND our government representatives CEASE AND DESIST all plans to demolish the structure and IMMEDIATELY set up a community engagement process to ensure that this historic monument be appropriately honored and that the community vision for the future of the space be realized.

Its signs and messages then ring true now:

“Read the way up!”

“A recognized force in the community for engaging the mind, expanding opportunities, elevating the quality of life. We believe in equitable access to information, tailored to customer needs, equips people to learn all their lives, embrace diversity, and build a thriving city.”