Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library - Central Library

The New Sincerity & David Foster Wallace

The idea of “New Sincerity,” which was especially noted in popular culture of the 1990s, drew a large amount of its nominal popularity from the essay work of David Foster Wallace.

My Baby Step into Science Fiction

Trekking along with my goal of branching out and reading different genres, science fiction was next on my list (after poetry). With every genre I read I always seek out authors of color/Black authors so the following books on this list are Black science fiction authors, talented voices that are not at the forefront of the genre.

My Reentry to Poetry

This year I set out to read genres that I’m not drawn to. The list includes mysteries, horror, and poetry. My introduction to poetry was in grade school, and I was not impressed; I just couldn’t understand the deeper meaning behind the metaphors, and it was not enjoyable. Now, far removed from grade school I’m setting out to re-discover the genre.

Justice Shorter's Reading List

As Heard on the DCPL Podcast "Access This"

On the April 20, 2021 episode of the DC Public Library Podcast series Access This, Jenny from the Center for Accessibility chatted with Justice Shorter about the Top 5 books that inform her personal and professional life as a Disability Justice advocate, Black Disabled Lives Matter amplifier and national expert on disability-inclusive disaster protections, emergency management and humanitarian crises/conflicts.

DC Public Library Haiku Contest 2021

Do you HAIKU? Celebrate National Poetry Month this April by participating in our Haiku Contest! Click here to sign up. En abril, celebre el Mes Nacional de la Poesía participando en nuestro concurso de Creación de Haiku. Haga click aquí para entrar.

Poetry Month

Books to Measure Time By

With the imminent arrival of spring, it feels like maybe a bit of lightness has been entering folks’ collective consciousness.

The Score Collection: American Women in Music

For Women's History Month, check out a score to practice at home

Celebrate Women’s History Month and discover DC Public Library’s music score collection to inspire your creative side! With over 10,000 circulating scores, DC Public Library card holders can explore musical genres from classical to contemporary, rock, pop, jazz and everything in between.

Black and white photo of author Octavia Butler. The author is slightly smiling.

Octavia's Kin

The Lineage of Science Fiction/Fantasy Writers from the African Diaspora

The historical lack of gender and racial diversity among authors promoted by the Science Fiction/Fantasy book industry has not destroyed the creative imaginations of writers of African descent who embrace the genre. Black Science Fiction/Fantasy writers do indeed exist and have a kaleidoscope of stories to add to the field.

"Daughters of Jane" Meet & Greet

Introducing a new Regency Romance book club

Do you love Regency Romance or Victorian literature? Come meet like-minded literary souls as we celebrate the kickoff of Daughters of Jane on Tuesday, March 16 at 6 p.m. This will be the first in a series of yearlong celebrations of women authors and their influence. Starting each March, we will honor a new woman author as we read and chat throughout the year about her work, as well as the work of other writers who have been impacted by her.

Black Future Month Happy Hour

Join our Community Read & follow up with a fun chat

It is both Black History Month and Black Future Month at DC Public Library, so don't miss our Black Future Month Happy Hour! Join our Community Read of author N.K. Jemisin's How Long 'Til Black Future Month? On Friday, Feb. 19 at 6 p.m., we'll chat and share insights as we explore the worlds within Jemisin's short stories together.