Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library - Central Library

Beginning Wednesday, January 13, the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library will be closed until further notice.

Silly Billy Picture Books

Get Your giggles on

While there are lots of picture books - both fiction and nonfiction - that teach children the ABCs, 123s, or valuable life lessons, here are some picture books that do nothing of the sort. They're just silly books that will make you and your little ones laugh so hard, your ribs will hurt. Many of them are genuinely clever, and others are just goofy.

Royal Biographies

For your fix of kings, queens, and their (sometimes) bad behavior

As Americans, we can get strangely obsessed with other countries' monarchies. It's so easy, isn't it? The lavish weddings! The impeccably dressed (not to mention impeccably behaved) children!

Make Your Own Trading Cards!

Create your own game, then try it out at the Trading Card Meetup.

Love playing Trading Cards? Come meet creators from the Art Way Alliance on Saturday, July 18 from 10 a.m to 12 p.m. Two of their artists will teach you how to make your own cards and design your own game! As a participant, you’ll learn how to: · Use the basics of drawing and character design to create your own character · Develop a character with special powers and spells

Labs Grand Opening

Celebrate the opening of The Labs at DC Public Library

Come celebrate the Grand Opening of our wonderful new Labs at DC Public Library. We will be giving tours and previewing the amazing activities of the Studio Lab and the Fabrication Lab. Enjoy playing around in front of our Green Screen and witness the power of the laser cutter. The Labs at DC Public Library are ready for you to bring your passion. For more information, contact Digital Commons at 202-727-1175.

'Purple Rain'

Celebrate Black Music Month and Prince's birthday!

Come join us on June 22 at 6 p.n. in the Black Studies Center for a showing of the groundbreaking 1984 film Purple Rain. With an award-winning soundtrack and dynamic performances by Prince and the Revolution, this film continues to amaze, 30 years later. The semi-autobiographical plot follows the journey of a young musician facing the challenges of a dysfunctional family, dissatisfied band, and rocky romance, while he discovers his musical voice and his star begins to rise.

Library Basement Show Q & A

Get to know your local, DC musicians.

The DC Punk Archive Library Basement Show is on Thursday, June 11! The librarians asked the musicians of Give, Puff Pieces and The Maneuvers about their reading tastes and musical habits.

Music

Building a Part of Edgar Allan Poe

3-D print team contributes to collaborative sculpture

Our 3-D printers are still busy working away as the Digital Commons team prepares to open the Fab Lab and Studio Lab. One of our printers just printed out what will become a piece of a 3-D-printed sculpture of Edgar Allan Poe.

Congratulations Class of 2015!

Teen Space celebrates graduation

There was lots of fun and games Saturday in Teen Space @ MLK Library, as more than 20 teens gathered to celebrate their accomplishments as high school graduates. There was food, drink, and music while teens played video and board games. Some graduates even came from Maryland to celebrate with us! Tracy, a Youth Services Librarian, starred as the celebrity guest mixologist, pouring soft drinks for the group. Teens enjoyed a cake provided by the Friends of MLK as well as cookies and chips that were generously donated by Potbelly's on H St. NW.

Teens

Tuesday Night Movies

A weekly film series for adults at 6 p.m. in Auditorium A-5

Don't miss these Tuesday Night Movies! June 2 Focus Entertaining story of globe-trotting con artists, Will Smith and Margot Robbie. Written and directed by Glenn Ficarra and John Requa. 105 minutes. 2015. R. June 9 Gilda

Films

Movie of the Month

Rita Hayworth is 'Gilda'

On June 9, at 6 p.m., join us for our Movie of the Month, as we screen Charles Vidor's film noir jewel, Gilda. Released in 1946, the film stars Rita Hayworth as the headstrong vamp, Glenn Ford as the clever drifter, and George Macready as the absent, but controlling husband.

Films