Published:
Beginning in mid-September, DC Public Library will launch Boys Who Write, a new-12-week creative media program offered at the Benning/Dorothy I. Height Library.
Designed for boys ages 10 to 14, this pilot gives participants hands-on opportunities to write their own lyrics, produce original music, and create accompanying videos.
Across the program, boys will:
- Write original, personal songwriting pieces
- Record and produce tracks using professional equipment
- Learn Video production, including shooting and editing
- Release completed creative work publicly under their own name
Sessions will run twice a week, 4 - 5:30 p.m., from mid-September through mid-December. Each session will be led by a trained facilitator from Boys Who Write.
How to Participate
The Boys Who Write pilot program at DC Public Library will host a short window in which they will accept applications to the program. Applications are due by September 18. 20 participants will be accepted into the pilot. To apply:
- Download an application form.
- Email the filled out form to dcpl.boyswhowrite@dc.gov or drop off at your neighborhood library.
Creative Resources for Youth
Creativebug
Freegal Music+
Universal Class
Looking at the Pilot, IRL
DC Public Library is proud to partner with Boys Who Write as we continue to champion our new strategic plan, IRL, launched in July of 2026. This pilot is a tangible commitment to strengthening joy, belonging, and resilience through meaningful in-person experience. To learn more about IRL, please visit the IRL page on our website, or read on to discover the ways this pilot is directly tied to the new strategic plan.
Strengthening Belonging for Boys and Young Men
In IRL, DC Public Library identifies boys and men as a population facing increasing challenges in emotional, social, and educational connection. The strategic plan explicitly names this group as a priority for belonging-centered programs, specifically through a partnership with Boys Who Write. This pilot delivers on that promise - providing a welcoming space, creative outlet, and supportive peer community for boys navigating identity, belonging, and social pressures.
Advancing Joy Through Creative Expression
One of IRL's three strategic priorities is to cultivate moments of delight and discovery through neighborhood programs that spark curiosity and create an environment where wonder and delight flourish. The Boys Who Write pilot gives boys direct access to creative tools, collaborative learning, and the delight of making something meaningful with peers.
Building Resilience Through Practice, Expression, and Connection
With resilience marked as a foundation for flourishing in IRL, DC Public Library envisions a city where every resident has the tools to navigate the complexities of life with purpose. This program teaches young participants to transform personal pressures into creative work. It supports self-expression around identity, emotion and expectations, and builds confidence through the publication of original material.
About Boys Who Write
Boys Who Write is a nonprofit dedicated to transforming the way boys understand literacy, creativity, and self-expression. Their mission is to build essential communication and literacy skills, improve emotional well-being, and help boys thrive as confident, empathetic leaders.
Their work is grounded in:
- Interactionist perspectives: letting boys explore identity and pressures through conversation, not prescriptive lessons
- Social-emotional learning through creation: SEL emerges naturally through songwriting, game design, podcasting, and collaborative storytelling
- Publication as empowerment: every cohort produces real work for real audiences—albums, podcasts, games, books
This approach is especially important because boys often face unique challenges in school and society, including discipline disparities, higher dropout rates, and social norms that discourage asking for help.