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DC Public Library highlights youth services plan and warns of shortage of children’s librarians
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Summary
Newly appointed director of Youth and Family Services outlined programs and partnerships aimed at early literacy and school outreach and told the board the system is 'currently down 14 children's librarians,' a shortfall staff said is reducing program offerings across branches.
Tiffany Alston introduced Shontay Burns Simpson as the District’s new director of youth and family services, and Burns Simpson used her first board presentation to lay out a three-part strategy to 'empower the next generation' through early literacy, equity-focused programs and stronger school and community partnerships.
"We are currently down 14 children's librarians," Burns Simpson said, noting that the vacancy level equates to more than half of DCPL locations lacking a dedicated youth specialist and that the system has seen a decline in the number of programs offered since fiscal 2019. She described priorities including Books from Birth, Discover Summer and systemwide digital resources designed for different age groups.
Board members pressed Burns Simpson and staff on how to sustain programming with limited personnel. A trustee asked whether virtual programming (recorded or livestream story times) has been used to supplement in‑person options; Burns Simpson said the library continued virtual efforts started during the pandemic but emphasized that "you still need human capital to do it." Executive Director Rich said youth services priorities are included in the system’s upcoming budget submission and that the library is also pursuing private philanthropy to help fill gaps.
Burns Simpson recommended a data-driven approach—tracking program attendance, digital resource usage and participant feedback—to guide decisions about staffing and program investments. She asked for the board’s support in expanding outreach to under-resourced neighborhoods and strengthening partnerships with schools, foundation donors and community organizations to extend program capacity.
The presentation closed with board members urging the new director to return with detailed proposals for prioritizing limited staff resources and exploring school partnerships; the board did not take formal action at the meeting.
