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Funding Available to Improve District Libraries

Published on Tuesday, February 23, 2010

The DC Public Library has opened the application period for Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) funds for libraries to create partnerships that improve services to their customers.

The grants, which range between $5,000 to $20,000, are sponsored by a federal agency, the Institute of Museum and Library Services, and administered by the District of Columbia Public Library.  LSTA funds are used to improve Library services by encouraging resource sharing, increasing access to information and educating the public.

Applicants must meet three criteria:

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Build Your Family Tree at the Library

Published on Thursday, February 18, 2010
Ever wonder about your ancestors?  The DC Public Library can help.  Check out Heritage Quest, a free database that includes U.S. Census records from 1790 to 1930 and Freedman’s Bank records.   

Incorporated in 1865 to benefit freed slaves, Freedman’s Bank records contain information about the depositors and their families from 1865 to 1874.  In some cases, the names of former slave owners are included.  

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Gwen Ifill Speaks at DC Public Library

Published on Wednesday, February 17, 2010
On Monday, February 22 at 7 p.m., Gwen Ifill, managing editor and moderator for PBS’ “Washington Week” will discuss race in American politics and her best-selling book, The Breakthrough: Politics and Race in the Age of Obama at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library.

A senior correspondent for the PBS “NewsHour,” Ifill’s book profiles and critiques politicians such as Vernon Jordan, Colin Powell, Deval Patrick and Barack Obama. Based on her interviews, Ifill argues that America is at a pivotal moment where the Black political structure formed during the Civil Rights movement is giving way to a new generation of leadership.   

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Dr. Maurice Jackson Lecture Postponed

Published on Monday, February 8, 2010

Due to the weather, the lecture by Dr. Maurice Jackson, and performance by the Sidwell Friends School Chamber Chorus, will be rescheduled.

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Fenty Administration Raises Cupola to Roof of New Georgetown Library

Residents Celebrate the Construction of New Facility

Published on Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Today, Mayor Adrian M. Fenty joined Chief Librarian Ginnie Cooper and Ward 2 Councilmember Jack Evans to celebrate ongoing renovations at the Georgetown Neighborhood Library.  The occasion was marked by the mounting of the cupola on the library’s new roof.

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Famed Artists Terry Dixon and Robert Morris to Exhibit at Library

Works Inspired by Douglas Blackmon's 2009 Pulitzer Prize-Winning Book

Published on Thursday, January 7, 2010

This February, celebrated artists Terry Dixon and Robert Morris will install a mixed-media exhibit at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library entitled “Re-enslavement Revisited.”  Inspired by Douglas Blackmon’s 2009 Pulitzer Prize-winning book, Slavery by Another Name: The Re-enslavement of Black Americans from the Civil War to World War II, exhibit activities will include lectures by Dixon, Morris and Blackmon.

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Winter Break Library Activities

Published on Monday, December 28, 2009

With schools out for winter break, stop by the library to see a movie, hear a story or make a craft. Activities include:

Exhibit: Holidays Past: Mid-Century Washington in Winter
Through January 8, Library Hours
Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, Great Hall
Holiday and winter images of Washington from the library’s Washingtoniana Collection.

Teen Movie Monday
Ice Princess (PG)
December 28, 6 p.m.
Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, Room 208

New Year’s Eve Library Bash
Ring in the New Year with games, songs, crafts, food and more.

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Live Homework Help Holiday Hours

Published on Wednesday, December 23, 2009

The Library’s Live Homework Help® and Live Tutor™ services will be closed Friday, December 25 2009, in observance of the Christmas holiday and Friday, January 1 2010 in observance of New Year’s Day.  The SkillsCenter™ resources will still be available during this time.

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Library Circulation Doubled

Public Gets Gift Bags as Thanks for Borrowing Books, DVDs & More

Published on Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Today, the first 100 library users at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library received thank-you gift bags to celebrate the 100-percent increase in the number of books and DVDs borrowed from the DC Public Library since 2006. 

"All over the District, people are checking out books and DVDs in droves,” said Ginnie Cooper, chief librarian for the DC Public Library. “The Library has worked hard to improve the collection. The borrowing increase shows that the effort is successful and we wanted to thank library users."

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DC Public Library Holiday Hours

Published on Monday, December 14, 2009
All DC Public Library locations will be closed on the following days:
 
Fri., December 24 
Sat., December 25
Sun., December 26
Fri., December 31
Sat., January 1
Sun., January 2

Check Hours and Locations for additional holiday hour information.
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