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DC Public Library Strategy

Free Community Meditation at Public Spaces

New Strategy: Partner with DC Public Libraries to offer free meditation sessions to DC residents

Why Libraries Work: - Neutral, trusted community spaces - Serve diverse demographics - Mission-aligned (community well-being, education, resources) - Free meeting rooms available for community programs - High foot traffic - Accessible locations (metro-adjacent)

Target Libraries in Campaign Area

1. Shaw/Watha T. Daniel Library ⭐⭐⭐

Address: 1630 7th St NW, Washington, DC 20001 Phone: (202) 727-1288 Location: Directly across from Shaw/Howard University Metro (Green Line) Intersection: 7th Street & Rhode Island Avenue

Hours: - Monday-Wednesday: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM - Thursday: 12:00 PM - 8:00 PM - Friday: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Why This Library: - CLOSEST to your target neighborhoods (Shaw, U Street, Columbia Heights border) - Metro-accessible (Green Line) - History of wellness programming (hosted meditation in 2011) - Community-focused: book groups, English circles, art shows, community programs - Meeting rooms available for reservation

Outreach Priority: HIGHEST (this is your anchor library)

2. Mt. Pleasant Library ⭐⭐

Address: 3160 16th St NW, Washington, DC 20010 Phone: (202) 671-3121 Email: mtpleasantlibrary@dc.gov Location: Quick stroll from Columbia Heights Metro

Why This Library: - Serves both Mt. Pleasant and Columbia Heights neighborhoods - 16th Street corridor = target demographic area - Metro-accessible - Active community programming

Outreach Priority: HIGH

3. Petworth Library ⭐

Address: 4200 Kansas Ave NW, Washington, DC 20011 Phone: (202) 243-1188

Why This Library: - Serves Petworth neighborhood (adjacent to target area) - Historic library, community-focused - Vibrant, evolving neighborhood

Important Note: DC Public Library will start renovation process for Petworth in Fall 2025, so this is time-sensitive

Outreach Priority: MEDIUM (may not be ideal due to upcoming renovation)

Library Outreach Strategy

Contact Approach

Who to Contact: - Branch Manager (for community programming decisions) - Community Programs Coordinator (if library has one) - General library phone/email (they'll route to right person)

When to Contact: - NOW (libraries book community programs weeks in advance) - For Dec 21 WMD, need to secure by early December - For weekly sessions, can propose ongoing series

Email Template for Libraries

Subject: Meditation Service Offering for [Library Name] Community Members

Dear [Library Manager/Community Programs Coordinator],

I'm reaching out to let you know that the Art of Living Foundation, a
global nonprofit educational organization in special consultative status
with the United Nations, is offering complementary meditation sessions on
World Meditation Day - December 21st, 2024 (a UN-designated day) - to all
DC residents, including members of the [Shaw/Mt. Pleasant/Petworth] community.

These 30-60 minute sessions are intended to bring peace, calm, and
connection amid the holiday stress and uncertain times.

As [Library Name] serves as a vital well-being resource for the community,
I wanted to inform you of this opportunity in case you'd like to let your
patrons know.

Over the week leading up to World Meditation Day (Dec 16-21), we're
offering daily meditation sessions at our center across from Meridian Hill
Park (2401 15th St NW).

Alternatively, if [Library Name] would like to host a complementary
meditation session for your patrons in your community room, we would be
happy to arrange a certified instructor for you - at no cost to the library.

100 cities in the United States are participating in World Meditation Day,
and we're thrilled for DC to be well-represented.

Would this be of interest to your community? I'm happy to discuss details
at your convenience.

With gratitude,
[Your Name]
[Your Title]
Art of Living Foundation - DC
[Phone]
[Email]
www.artofliving.org

Follow-Up Strategy

Timeline: - Week 1 (Nov 20-26): Send emails to all 3 libraries - Week 2 (Nov 27-Dec 3): Phone follow-up if no response - Week 3 (Dec 4-10): Confirm details if interested, secure room reservation

What to Offer:

Option A: Promote our center sessions - Library shares flyer/info with patrons - Include in library newsletter/social media - Flyers at circulation desk

Option B: Host session AT the library - Use library community room (usually free for nonprofit programs) - Art of Living provides instructor - 30-60 minutes - Library promotes to patrons - Can be Dec 21 specifically OR earlier in the week

What Libraries Need from You

For Room Reservation:

  1. Certificate of Insurance (liability coverage)
  2. Nonprofit documentation (501(c)(3) status)
  3. Program description (what you'll be doing)
  4. Instructor credentials (certified meditation instructor)
  5. Expected attendance (estimate)
  6. Date/time preference

Action Item: Gather these documents NOW for quick turnaround

  • Shaw/Watha T. Daniel: dclibrary.libnet.info/reserve?l=Shaw+(Watha+T.+Daniel)+Neighborhood+Library
  • Mt. Pleasant: Contact mtpleasantlibrary@dc.gov for reservation process
  • Petworth: Contact (202) 243-1188 for reservation process

Promotional Materials for Libraries

What to Provide:

Digital: - PDF flyer (email-friendly) - Social media post text + image - Event description for library website

Print: - 25-50 small flyers (5.5" × 8.5") for circulation desk - 1-2 posters (11" × 17") for bulletin board

Content Focus: - "Free Meditation for DC Residents" - World Meditation Day connection - Science-backed stress relief - All welcome, no experience needed - Art of Living credentials (UN status, 100+ studies)

Library Program Benefits

Why Libraries Will Say Yes:

  1. Free programming (no cost to library)
  2. Mission-aligned (community well-being, public service)
  3. Timely (holiday stress, World Meditation Day relevance)
  4. Professional (certified instructors, established organization)
  5. Inclusive (all welcome, no prerequisites)
  6. Evidence-based (100+ studies - appeals to library's educational mission)
  7. Community builder (brings patrons together)

What's in It for Libraries:

  • Attract new patrons (wellness-seekers)
  • Demonstrate community responsiveness
  • Fill programming calendar (especially holiday season)
  • Positive PR (partnering with UN-affiliated nonprofit)
  • Resident satisfaction (free valuable service)

Expected Outcomes

Conservative Estimate (1 library says yes):

  • 15-25 attendees per session
  • Contact capture: 80% = 12-20 new contacts
  • Intro talk conversion: 30% = 4-6 potential course students

Moderate Estimate (2 libraries say yes):

  • 30-50 total attendees
  • 24-40 contacts
  • 8-12 potential course students

Optimistic Estimate (all 3 libraries + recurring sessions):

  • 60-100 attendees over 2-3 weeks
  • 48-80 contacts
  • 15-25 potential course students

Integration with Other Strategies

How Libraries Complement Apartment Buildings:

Geographic Coverage: - Libraries = public, walk-in, diverse demographics - Apartments = targeted, young professionals, higher income

Demographic Reach: - Libraries = broader age range, all income levels - Apartments = narrower, affluent professionals

Community Building: - Libraries = neutral ground, community hub - Apartments = convenience, neighbor connections

Strategy: Do BOTH. Libraries give you volume + diversity. Apartments give you target demographic.

Other Public Spaces to Consider (Future)

Community Centers:

  • Columbia Heights Community Center
  • Shaw Community Center
  • Josephine Butler Parks Center

Parks (weather-permitting):

  • Meridian Hill Park (you're right across the street!)
  • Malcolm X Park
  • Walter Pierce Park (Petworth)

Note: December weather may not be ideal for outdoor sessions, but keep this for spring expansion

Quick Win: Meridian Hill Park Connection

Key Insight: Your center is at 2401 15th St NW = directly across from Meridian Hill Park

Strategy: - Mention this in ALL library outreach - "Our center overlooks the beautiful Meridian Hill Park" - This is a DC landmark - instant recognition - Use in apartment outreach too (prestigious location)

Possible: Free outdoor meditation in Meridian Hill Park leading to Dec 21? - Every Saturday morning Dec 7, 14, 21 at 9 AM? - Weather permitting - "Meditation in the Park" series - Very low barrier, high visibility - Instagram-worthy location (cascading fountains)

Sprint 0 Library Tasks

By Nov 26: - [ ] Email Shaw/Watha T. Daniel Library - [ ] Email Mt. Pleasant Library - [ ] Email Petworth Library (if time permits) - [ ] Gather insurance certificate + nonprofit docs - [ ] Create library-specific flyer (Canva) - [ ] Draft social media text for libraries to use

By Dec 1: - [ ] Phone follow-up to all libraries - [ ] Submit room reservation if library says yes - [ ] Confirm instructor availability for library sessions

Why This Works:

Libraries are trusted community anchors. When a library hosts meditation, it's not "that meditation group trying to sell you something." It's "the library offering a free wellness program for residents."

Legitimacy + reach + zero cost = winning strategy.

Paige's note: The library strategy gives you FREE venues, built-in promotion (library newsletters/social), and the credibility of a trusted institution. This is a force multiplier for your residential building strategy. Do both simultaneously.