Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library - Central Library

Washington Blade 1980s cover, December 29, 1989

Welcome to the '80s!

Washington Blade digitized archives 1969-1989 online

We've got the '80s covered -- The Washington Blade newspaper 1969 to 1989 is all now online! Work to digitize all of the nation's oldest still-publishing LGBT newspaper's archives by DC Public Library, Special Collections are ongoing.

Reign Like Victoria

In the new historical drama series "Victoria" on PBS, Queen Victoria is eighteen years old when she comes to the throne. What if a story like hers took place in a fantasy kingdom or an alternate historical timeline? Here are a selection of young adult novels featuring a young princess facing challenges and dangers as well as adjusting to the responsibilities of being a reigning Queen. Copies are available to check out and download from the library.

Andrew Carnegie Medals 2017

During the American Library Association Mid-Winter Conference in Atlanta, the winners of the annual Carnegie Medals for Excellence in Fiction and Non-Fiction were announced. The winners will officially receive their awards in June. Below are the winning titles available to check out and download from the library. Fiction

Don't Miss the 28th Annual Black Film Festival

See a Double Feature every week!

Join us on Tuesdays in February as we celebrate Black History Month with our annual film festival. The 28th Annual Black Film Festival offers a Double Feature every week, with entertaining and thought-provoking shorts and full length films. February 7

Cover image of the book The Story of Buildings

Self-Contained Universes

A history of architecture, real and imagined

What would the world be like without the Empire State Building? Or the Statue of Liberty? Would World War II have gone differently if Chartres Cathedral had never been built?

'Victoria' by Daisy Goodwin

Begins Jan. 15 on WETA-26

Kensington Palace, June 1837. A young Princess Alexandria Victoria is told that her uncle, the King, is dead and she is now the Queen of England. Her reign begins in the new novel Victoria by Daisy Goodwin.

Priceless Gifts

Picture Books That Counter Consumer Culture

Parenting amidst a commercial culture can be stressful, especially if you value imaginative play, frugality, ecological awareness, and the development of empathy.

Shakespeare's "Henry VI" and "Richard III"

Two Kings, One Crown

William Shakespeare's "The Hollow Crown" series returns to PBS this month!

Washington Blade first issue, October 1969

The Washington Blade issues 1969-1982 now online

Digitization partnership with historic gay newspaper goes live

Digitized issues from the first decade and a half of The Washington Blade newspaper are now online in Dig DC, DC Public Library Special Collections' home for digitized materials. The collection contains digitized editions of the newspaper from 1969 to 1982 and is presented in partnership with The Blade.

D.C. History

Donald J. Trump:

An Assessment of the First 100 Days of His Presidency

Will Donald J. Trump be the president "for all Americans" as he pledged in his Victory Speech on Nov. 9, 2016? Mr. Trump's election as the nation's next President has sparked controversy. Many African Americans, Muslims and immigrants fear the prospect of a Trump administration, because of the billionaire’s campaign promises. Dismissing post-election despair, Trump's supporters believe that he will revitalize the economy and restore America's standing on the international stage.

Black History Month