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We are sad to report that longtime Library employee John Dreswick passed away Sunday, April 18 2010, from pancreatic cancer.

John had worked for the Library for over 30 years (starting at Central Circulation), and spent recent many hours keeping the 900s section of our non-fiction collection (geography, travel and history) in tip-top shape for the patrons. He will be missed tremendously by the Central Library staff, and especially by his friends and co-workers in the Shelving and Circulation Departments.

His obituary and funeral details appear today in the Washington Post:

DRESWICK JOHN T. DRESWICK (Age 81) On April 18, 2010 of Arlington, VA. Beloved husband of 54 years of Muriel M. Dreswick; father of John A. (Terri), Peter T., Jane (Paul) Bear, and Kenneth “Kc” and grandfather of Elizabeth. He is also survived by his sister, Marion Modzelewski. Friends may visit the MURPHY FUNERAL HOME of ARLINGTON, 4510 Wilson Blvd. from 5 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, April 20. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 21 at St. Charles Borromeo, 3304 N. Washington Blvd, Arlington, VA 22201. Interment Fairfax Memorial Park. Contributions may be made in his name to St. Charles Borromeo.

If you’ve visited Central Library in the last few days, you’ve noticed the start of an internal redesign that has been in the planning stages for almost a year.

It’s part of an overall effort to make Central as efficient as possible and its the first real overhaul in several years. The new look is based on the evolved needs of patrons.

In coming weeks, we will be:

• Making the audio/visuals collection a more cohesive, one-stop location with a service desk close by
• Moving new books to the east lobby area for better viewing (photo)
• Creating space for self-serve holds, which have become popular in all Arlington branches
• Creating more public seating and an additional group study room, formerly the old Literacy Lab
• The new Literacy Lab moves into and will share the Non-Profit Center upstairs
• For the first time ever, we will open for public use the 10th Street entrance and create a community information area in the foyer
• Creating much improved first floor sight-lines
• Creating new art display areas
• Shifting popular paperbacks upstairs

We hope you like what you see at the new Central. Let us know what you think.

Did you know that coffee was originally discovered in Kaffa, Ethiopia where it still grows wild today? Neighbors there drink coffee together, and during this traditional gathering an atmosphere of human bonding is created. Family affairs, neighborhood gossip and community events surface and are regularly discussed during the ceremony.

Join us Saturday, May 8 at the Columbia Pike Branch Library for a program exploring the traditional preparation of coffee from roasting the beans to the serving, from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

This event is free, and no reservations required. For more information, call 703-228-5988.

This is our second conversation with an artist from our current group exhibit, The Art of Food. You may recognize Joshua Yospyn’s vibrant photographs from when we featured one on the Library’s main page at the beginning of April.
How long have you been a photographer? When/why did you start?

I began taking photography seriously in 2001. As a pixel-oriented person building websites, moving into digital photography came naturally. It was another creative outlet, a way to express myself. Thankfully my girlfriend at the time was also a photographer and encouraged me to shoot film, which I still do to this day.

How did you come to photograph the pieces in the Art of Food exhibit?

My original intention was to photograph food, close up. Particularly a grapefruit. But I failed miserably and in moment of frustration, squeezed it. That’s when the light bulb went off.

What are you working on now?

Together with a friend who received a grant from the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, we’ve created Worn Magazine. This is a hardcopy magazine and daily blog that advocates the importance of style and art in the Washington, DC community. It’s brand new and just getting into stores for sale, so we’re very excited about this project.

Find more of Joshua’s worn on his website, www.yospyn.com

The Little Green House exhibit is built of recycled and environmentally friendly materials by students at the Arlington County Career Center, and showcases green products and services to help renters and home owners reduce their consumption of natural resources to preserve the environment.

A segment of AVN’s monthly magazine show, “Here/now”, “Artscape” takes a look at all things cultural around Arlington. The Columbia Pike Documentary Project episode, takes a look at a group who are working to capture the diverse heritage of Columbia Pike in pictures.

We’re offering our Arlington Reads 2010 T-Shirt – based on the great “Dirt + Seed + Water + Life” design by Beth Lewis – for purchase from the online vendor Zazzle. 

10% of sales will go to the Friends of the Arlington Public Library. Get yours today, and help support the future of Arlington Reads and Library programming!

It’s true, Americans do visit public libraries more often than movie theaters. Surprised? Don’t be. Libraries are hubs of activity where communities thrive. In tough economic times libraries give free access to books and computers, meeting space, assistance with resumes and job searches and much more.

Want more surprising facts? Watch this quick slideshow in honor of National Library Week.

Here in Arlington, we’re celebrating all month long. Our annual Arlington Reads program is underway, and the Friend’s Spring Book Sale is just around the corner. Take time to join us at an event this month, or learn about other ways to support your library.

Happy National Library Week!