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G2S Project Code: 2014-DC-72733
State: District of Columbia
Fiscal Year: 2014

Grantee
District of Columbia Public Library

Project Director
Director Name: Emily Menchal
Director Phone: 202-282-0021
Director Email: emily.menchal@dc.gov

General Information
Title: Orwellian America? Government Transparency and Personal Privacy in the Digital Age
State Project Code:
Start Date: 10/01/2014
End Date: 01/30/2015
Abstract: DC Public Library used LSTA funds to produce a ten-day series of programming -- book discussions, panel discussions, film screenings,and workshops -- that examined the cost of government involvement in the private lives of individuals. The programming reflected the Library community's commitment to user privacy, particularly data privacy in a digital environment where password-protected messages can be accessed by the federal government and hackers alike, and where the concept of a separate private sphere has been eroded as so much of life happens online.
State Goal: Civic Engagement

Budget Information

LSTA

MATCH-State

MATCH-Other

Total

$12,492.88

$0.00

$12,492.88

Intent(s)
Improve users' ability to converse in community conversations around topics of concern.
Civic Affairs

Activities
Activity Details
Title: Orwellian America?: Computer Workshops
Narrative:

DC Public Library partnered with the Sunlight Foundation, Women's Cyberjutsu, TOR, Ayuda, and the Center for Responsive Politics to host computer training workshops on various topics, including internet safety for teens and adults, access to election information, access to online government information, immigration rights, open source software for privacy.

Intent: Improve users' ability to converse in community conversations around topics of concern.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Program
Format: In-person

Quantity
Session length (minutes): 60
Number of sessions in program: 7
Average number in attendance per session: 18
Number of times program administered: 1

Partner Information

Organization Type of Partner Organization(s):
Libraries: No
Historical Societies or Organizations: No
Museums: No
Archives: No
Cultural Heritage Organization Multi-type: No
Preschools: No
Schools: No
Adult Education: No
Human Service Organizations: No
Other: No

Legal Type of Partner Organization(s):
Federal Government: No
State Government: No
Local Government (excluding school districts): No
School District: No
Non-Profit: No
Private Sector: No
Tribe/Native Hawaiian Organization: No

Beneficiaries
Is the activity directed at the library workforce: No
For a targeted group or for the general population: Targeted
Geographic community of the targeted group: Urban
For what age groups: All Ages
For what economic types: Economic Not Applicable
For what ethnicity types: Hispanic
Is the activity directed at families: No
Is the activity directed at intergenerational groups: No
Is the activity directed at immigrants/refugees: No
Is the activity directed at those with disabilities: No
Limited functional literacy or informational skills: No
Is the activity category not already captured: No

Locale
Is the activity state-wide: Yes
Specific Locations: No
Library Types

Public Libraries: 1
Academic Libraries: 0
SLAA: 0
Consortia: 0
Special Libraries: 0
School Libraries: 0
Other: 0

Activity Details
Title: Orwellian America?: Presentations
Narrative:

DC Public Library launched its Orwellian America?programming with a live twelve-hour marathon reading of Nineteen Eighty-Four by George Orwell in the Great Hall at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library for on January 21, 2014. Guest readers included representatives from the British Consulate, Demand Progress, the Cato Institute, the Free Press, The Washington Post, and the Project of Government Oversight.

The event was streamed live on YouTube and reached viewers from around the world. This reading was made possible by permission of Bill Hamilton as the Literary Executor of the Estate of the late Sonia Brownell Orwell.

Intent: Improve users' ability to converse in community conversations around topics of concern.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Presentation/performance
Format: Combined in-person & virtual

Quantity
Presentation/performance length (minutes): 720
Number of presentations/performances administered: 1
Average number in attendance per session: 987

Partner Information

Public Libraries: 1
Academic Libraries: 0
SLAA: 0
Consortia: 0
Special Libraries: 0
School Libraries: 0
Other: 0

Activity Details
Title: Orwellian America?: Panel Discussion
Narrative:

DC Public Library partnered with the International Spy Museum and the Newseum to host Privacy vs. National Security at the Newseum's Knight Studio. Moderated by the Newseum, panel members from both museums discussed issues of government transparency and national security. The event was held in front of a studio audience and livestreamed to the DC Public Library, Newseum and Spy Museum websites. Following the event, audience members were able to voice their opinions via an electronic electronic voting system.

Intent: Improve users' ability to converse in community conversations around topics of concern.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Program
Format: Combined in-person & virtual

Quantity
Session length (minutes): 60
Number of sessions in program: 1
Average number in attendance per session: 200
Number of times program administered: 1

Partner Information

Public Libraries: 0
Academic Libraries: 0
SLAA: 0
Consortia: 0
Special Libraries: 0
School Libraries: 0
Other: 1

Activity Details
Title: Orwellian America?: Film Screenings
Narrative:

DC PublicLibrary screened various related films at the following venues:

The Internet's Own Boy: The Black Cat
Nineteen Eighty-Four: Palisades Neighborhood Library
United States of Secrets ("Frontline"): Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, Georgetown, Palisades, and Petworth Neighborhood Libraries

Intent: Improve users' ability to converse in community conversations around topics of concern.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Presentation/performance
Format: In-person

Quantity
Presentation/performance length (minutes): 180
Number of presentations/performances administered: 6
Average number in attendance per session: 26

Partner Information

Beneficiaries
Is the activity directed at the library workforce: No
For a targeted group or for the general population: General

Locale
Is the activity state-wide: No
Specific Locations: Yes
Name: Georgetown Neighborhood Library
Address: 3260 R Street NW
City: Washington
State: DC
Zip: 20007
Name: Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library
Address: 901 G Street NW
City: Washington
State: AK
Zip: 20001
Name: Palisades Neighborhood Library
Address: 4901 V Street NW
City: Washington
State: DC
Zip: 20007
Name: Petworth Neighborhood Library
Address: 4200 Kansas Avenue NW
City: Washington
State: DC
Zip: 20011
Name: The Black Cat
Address: 1811 14th Street NW
City: Washington
State: DC
Zip: 20009

Activity Details
Title: Orwellian Amercia?: Book Discussions
Narrative:

DC Public Library held a series of Book Discussions for Teens andAdults at the following neighborhood libraries and public school library:

· Dragnet Nation, JuliaAngwyn ChevyChase

· Little Brother, CoryDoctorow (Teens) Watha TDaniel/Shaw and Cleveland Park

· Pay Any Price, JamesRisen MountPleasant

· Nineteen Eighty-Four, GeorgeOrwell West End andColumbia Heights Education Center

Intent: Improve users' ability to converse in community conversations around topics of concern.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Program
Format: In-person

Quantity
Session length (minutes): 60
Number of sessions in program: 1
Average number in attendance per session: 19
Number of times program administered: 6

Partner Information

Beneficiaries
Is the activity directed at the library workforce: No
For a targeted group or for the general population: General

Locale
Is the activity state-wide: No
Specific Locations: Yes
Name: Chevy Chase Neighborhood Library
Address: 5625 Connecticut Avenue NW
City: Washington
State: DC
Zip: 20015
Name: Cleveland Park Neighborhood Library
Address: 3310 Connecticut Avenue NW
City: Washington
State: DC
Zip: 20008
Name: Columbia Heights Education Campus
Address: 3101 16th Street NW
City: Washington
State: DC
Zip: 20010
Name: Mount Pleasant Neighborhood Library
Address: 3160 16th Street NW
City: Washington
State: DC
Zip: 20009
Name: Watha T. Daniel/Shaw Neighborhood Library
Address: 1630 7th Street NW
City: Washington
State: DC
Zip: 20001
Name: West End Interim Library
Address: 2522 Virginia Avenue NW
City: Washington
State: AK
Zip: 20037

Project Outcomes
Project Outcomes
List any important findings or outcomes from your project:
As with past Library programs, survey responses from participants was low. However, of the participants who did return a survey, most stated that they felt they learned something new about privacy issues from the programs and events. Most respondents also noted that they believed DC Public Library does a good job in protecting their privacy. A number of respondents requested that the Library offer more workshops on the topic of internet privacy and provide software choices and instruction on privacy software installation. Many respondents have concerns about their own privacy with respect to the government.
Please briefly describe importance of findings:
The information collected will be used to help DC Public Library shape future programming.
What methods did you use to determine your findings? Check all that apply:
Survey
Participant Observation
Based on outputs, outcomes and/or other results, explain any significant lessons learned from these findings for either the SLAA or others in the LIS field:

Do you anticipate continuing this project after the current reporting period ends:
No: The project may continue in the future, depending upon the priorities of the DC Public Library's Office of Programs and Partnerships and the availability of funding.
Do you anticipate any change in level of effort:
No
Do you anticipate any change in the project's scope:
No
Do you anticipate any other changes in the project:
No

Exemplary: Yes
Exemplary NarrativeOrwellian America?: Government Transparency and Personal Privacy in the Digital Age was awarded an Honorable Mention distinction in this year’s Urban Libraries Council's Innovations Initiative! The project was lauded for serving as an outstanding model for public library service and community engagement in the 21st century.

Project Tags: privacy issues