Unearth your lunch boxes and sharpen your pencils because it is back-to-school time here in the District! As you tick off items on your list make sure you don't forget your most important school supply - your library card! Whether your little one is excited to start school for the first time, your high school senior is thinking about what's next or you are looking at continuing your own education, DC Public Library has everything you need to stay engaged with learning and have a great school year.
Does your child have their library card?
We think a DC Public Library Card is the best school supply you could have in your pencil box. Find helpful resources like research databases, educational games, and live tutoring online - all accessible through your library card!
Upcoming Events
11th Annual Bellevue Back to School Bash
Tuesday, Aug. 8 | 12 p.m.
Get ready, get set, for the best school year yet at the 11th Annual Bellevue Back to School Bash at the Bellevue/William O. Lockridge Library!
Rosedale Library Back to School Block Party
Thursday, Aug. 17, 1 p.m.
Join the Rosedale Library and community partners to get ready for healthy and successful school year. There will be fun activities and a cookout for the whole family.
Capitol View Library Back to School Community Day
Thursday, Aug. 17, 3 p.m.
Join us for a community day featuring school supplies, a backpack give away, entertainment, games, dental cleanings (participants ages 2-12), health screenings, refreshments, community resources, and more all for free and all for the whole family.
Mt. Pleasant Library Educator Meet & Greet
Wednesday, Aug. 23, 4 p.m.
Start your semester off right! The collaborative potential between schools and public libraries is UNMATCHED! Come meet us, tell us what you're looking forward to and what you could use help with this year, register for or renew your Educator Card, and pick up a free goodie bag (while supplies last) from the Friends of the Mount Pleasant Library as a little token of our deep appreciation for your work.
See All Upcoming Back to School Events
Back to School Reads with the Washington Mystics
DC Public Library is teaming up with the Washington Mystics to share some books that will help you get excited for another fun year of learning! Read about other students who are heading back to school, build your basketball skills to try out for the team, dive into the history of the sport and do fun projects that explore the science and math of basketball!
Preschool
Your child's very first teacher is you! You play a crucial role in both helping your child get ready for school, and in reinforcing and building on what they are learning in the classroom when they get home. Luckily, it is as easy as STAR - sing, talk and read! Add in some writing, playing and the Library resources listed below and you are on your way to a successful school year!
Video Story Books
Video story books bring picture books to life. They provide enjoyment to beginning readers as well as to pre-schoolers. They reinforce what beginning readers are learning about books and reading at school and at home, and they introduce younger children to early literacy skills even before they start to learn to read.
Reading Lists from NoveList
Once your child starts reading, the best thing children they can do to reinforce their skills is to READ, READ and READ some more!
Sing, Talk and Read (STAR)
There are many ways you can reinforce what your child is learning in pre-school at home. By incorporating STAR: singing, talking, reading, writing and playing into your daily family routine you will be setting your child up for success as a reader.
Books from Birth
Build your home library with Books from Birth! The Books from Birth program, in partnership with Dolly Parton's Imagination Library is open to all children under the age of five who live in Washington, D.C. All enrolled children receive a free book in the mail each month from birth until they turn five.
Books for Preschool
Elementary School
When your child enters elementary school, they begin their journey with more structured learning, maybe bringing home homework or working on projects. This is a great time to introduce them to other resources at the library. The place that they enjoyed story time is also the place that can help them succeed at school! The Library is also a place that can help them grow their love of learning as they pursue their interests outside of school.
Live Tutoring
Stuck at the kitchen table trying to solve for "x"? Need some feedback on a writing assignment? Struggling to describe photosynthesis? Tackle tonight's homework with Brainfuse HelpNow!
- Access LIVE tutoring 7 days a week from 1 - 10 p.m.
- Covers core subjects for K-12 students
- Create flashcards, practice tests and study games
- Submit papers to the 24/7 Writing Lab
- Available in English and Spanish
Start Learning with Brainfuse HelpNow
Research Projects
- Do research for an assignment with the Library's list of encyclopedias and other research databases. From documentaries to articles on current events you can find what you need.
- Find the perfect image for your paper, project or presentation with Image Quest.
- Learn about major events and the people that have shaped our world with resources on history and biographies.
STEM
Dive into science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) with practice exercises, activities and more with science and math databases.
Reading and Learning for Fun
- Help your child become a more confident reader with videobooks and e-AudioBooks. You can also find reading lists organized by grade and theme to help your student find their next favorite book.
- Children in Kindergarten - Third Grade can join the Beyond the Book Club! This club invites families to visit their neighborhood library each quarter to get a FREE book to add to their home library with a related activity book and reading recommendations that will help your child grow as a joyful learner.
- Find the joy in discovery all school-year long. Visit your neighborhood library or our online resources to find more resources for reading, listening, watching and learning.
Books for Elementary School
Middle & High School
Entering Middle or High School? In addition to regular homework, you may need to tackle longer research projects, write papers and study for tests. But that doesn't mean that you have to stop reading for fun or exploring what you are passionate about! The Library is here for you to ensure you feel confident as a learner, both in school and in life.
Live Tutoring
Stuck at the kitchen table trying to solve for "x"? Need some feedback on a writing assignment? Struggling to describe photosynthesis? Tackle tonight's homework with Brainfuse HelpNow!
- Access LIVE tutoring 7 days a week from 1 - 10 p.m.
- Covers core subjects for K-12 students
- Create flashcards, practice tests and study games
- Submit papers to the 24/7 Writing Lab
- Available in English and Spanish
Test Preparation
Getting ready for academic and licensing tests? The library can help with test prep. Take practice tests for high school standardized tests and for college entrance exams such as the ACT and SAT.
Research
- Get to know the individuals who have shaped history and culture with the Library's resources on biographies.
- Research Black Studies with a variety of databases that include access to historic newspapers, eyewitness accounts of historic events and more.
- Dive into Latino Studies with both English and Spanish Langauge resources.
- Cover your research bases by looking up topics in the Library's digital encyclopedias, general reference databases as well as magazines and newspapers.
- Immerse yourself in current events and history in the U.S. and around the world.
- Find the perfect image for your paper, project or presentation with Image Quest.
- Dig into local history with access to current and historic local newspapers, including the Baltimore Sun, The Washington Star, The Washington Post, and more.
- Want to learn more about media? Check out the Library's film and music resources.
- Explore art and literature with the Literature Resource Center.
Learning Languages
Learning a new language? Find language-learning resources for more than 70 different languages as well as a variety of E-Books and AudioBooks to help you practice your skills.
STEM
Build your knowledge around STEM with magazines, academic journals, videos and practice exercises for science and math.
Reading and Learning for Fun
- Find reading lists organized by grade and theme to help find your next favorite book.
- Find the joy in discovery all school-year long. Visit your neighborhood library or our online resources to find more resources for reading, listening, watching and learning.
Books for Middle and High School
College & Adult Learning
The Library is here to help you as you think about your next steps, whether you are planning to go to college or are starting your career path! With your Library Card, you can find resources to help prepare for the GED, expand your skillset with online classes, learn about financial aid options for college and much more.
College
- Studying for the SAT or ACT? Find practice tests, study guides and more with your library card.
- Learn about your financial aid options, including federal aid and scholarships:
- Federal Financial Aid | Find out about ways to fund your education.
- Financial Aid Finder | Research financial aid and scholarships.
- Smart Scholar | Browse resource guides and scholarships by category.
Adult Learning
- Get help preparing for the GED.
- Take online classes in subjects like math, photography, science, music, art, cooking and many more.
- Build your skills in business and technology with LinkedIn Learning.
- Access job resources from live career coaching, resume and cover letter tips, interview prep and more with the library's online job and career resources.
Books for College Students and Adult Learners
Support for Educators
Are you an educator? Visit our Educator Page where you can learn more about getting an Educator Card, scheduling class visits, providing local history curriculum and more.