Press Release: DC Public Library Seeks Food Operations/Workforce Development Partner for Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library

News Release — DC Public Library

August 6, 2019

Media Contact: George Williams, Media Relations Manager

Library issues request for proposals for café service and rooftop catering

(Washington, D.C.) – Over the last decade, the District’s food and beverage industry has grown by 29 percent. To help ensure that District residents have an opportunity to learn the skills needed for the estimated 52,000 jobs in this sector, the Library is seeking a partner to develop, manage and operate a workforce development model for food service operations in the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library.

“The modernized MLK library will be a place that people will want to spend hours visiting and that will be intentional about honoring Dr. King in the building’s experiences,” said Richard Reyes-Gavilan, executive director of the DC Public Library. “The new cafe will allow customers to purchase light fare or beverages, giving them more reasons to take a trip to the library. By giving cafe employees job training in customer service, hospitality, time management and in other areas to prepare them for success beyond their time at the Library, the cafe embodies Dr. King’s passion for economic self-determination.”

As part of the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library modernization, two new spaces are being added: a 4,300 sq ft. ground-level café connected to a new outdoor garden space and a new fifth floor that features a 14,900-square-foot rooftop, event space and catering kitchen. With these spaces and other building enhancements, at least 1 million visits are expected within the first year of reopening.

The Library’s partner is expected to ensure that the café and catering operations are designed and operated to complement library services, serve the diverse clientele typical of the Library, and offer pricing, payment and menu options that are appropriate for a variety of customers. The partner should have experience on two projects that are similar to the Library’s scope. In addition, the partner is expected to design a program that:

• develops and implements a hospitality skills training program at the DC Public Library that will lead participants to a progressive ladder of employment and career opportunities.
• provides robust apprenticeship opportunities and paid employment in the hospitality industry for District of Columbia residents, especially for immigrants, veterans, disconnected youth, people of color and returning citizens.
• uses Library resources across a range of topic areas and forms, such as digital resources for language training, resume building workshops and more to support Library café and catering staff in their career building.
• promotes professionalism, confidence, positive work ethics and the soft skills needed for long-term success in the hospitality industry or other related fields.
• develops partnerships with the Library and a range of local cafe and restaurant owners eager to hire workers for much needed front-line and back of house positions.

Interested partners have to submit their proposal by Sept. 6. In advance of the due date, the Library is hosting a pre-bid conference and site visit Aug. 16. To download the RFP visit, https://www.dclibrary.org/node/64782 

For more information on the Library modernization, visit: https://www.dclibrary.org/mlkfuture 

To view final designs visit: https://www.slideshare.net/DCPublicLibrary/mlk-final-designs 

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