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DC Public Library will begin renovating the Shaw/Watha T. Daniel Library in late spring 2026. The goal of this renovation is to refresh the building and create a brighter, more welcoming space for the community. The updated design will improve how visitors move through the library, add more natural light, expand spaces for children, teens, and adults, and bring in calming, nature‑inspired features. The library is working with Quinn Evans and Chiaramonte for design and construction.
As part of this project, the Shaw/Watha T. Daniel Library will close starting Monday, May 18, while construction is underway. The last day for hold pick-up will be Saturday, May 16. The final day of service will be Sunday, May 17. The library is expected to reopen in early 2027.
Renovation Open House
Stop by the library and meet the design team to learn more about the planned improvements on Wednesday, May 13, from 4 – 7 p.m.
Interim Services During Construction
Customers will have access to a variety of nearby locations, programs and services during the renovation of the Shaw/Watha T. Daniel Library.
Interim Library | Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library
The Interim Library for the Shaw/Watha T. Daniel Library during the renovation is the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library. It is located at 901 G St. NW. There are a variety of resources, services, events, and spaces available at DC Public Library's Central Library.
Library by Mail Service
Library by Mail is a free service for eligible Washington, DC residents to check out library books, DVDs, and magazines through the mail.
- Who is Eligible?: Washington, DC residents of all ages who are unable to visit to the library due to a permanent disability (one year or more), temporary disability (up to one year or less), or underlying health conditions are eligible for this service.
- How Does Library by Mail Work?: All Materials are mailed in a postage-paid library mailing pouch through the U.S. Postal Service. Please allow for a turnaround time for the materials to arrive. When you are finished, place the materials back in the same library mailing pouch and turn over the address card. Mail the pouch back through the U.S. Postal Service.
- How Do You Apply?: Fill out the Google Form on this page.
Project Goals
Key Improvements Across All Floors
- Brighter spaces with more natural light throughout the library.
- Updated, comfortable furniture and modern finishes on all levels.
- Clearer signs and better wayfinding to help customers navigate the building.
- Renovated restrooms.
- Improved study rooms, meeting rooms, and seating areas for all ages.
Ground Floor | Children's Area
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The entire floor becomes a dedicated children’s area with bright, colorful, nature‑inspired features.
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New reading nooks, study booths, and a clearer path from the entrance to the children’s spaces.
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Updated program room and seating areas designed for families.
Upper Floor | Adult & Teen Areas
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Refreshed reading and study spaces.
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A larger, more defined teen area with updated finishes and added privacy.
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Improved study rooms and meeting spaces.
Lower Floor | Meeting Rooms
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Updated meeting rooms and event spaces with warmer finishes and pops of color.
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Refreshed display hall for art and community materials.
$7.9 million in funding for the interior renovations is made possible by American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).
Designed for Flexibility
The Shaw/Watha T. Daniel Library renovation builds upon a significant architectural legacy. The building was one of the last projects designed by J. Max Bond Jr., who was considered one of the foremost Black architects in the United States. Honored by the Wall Street Journal in 2010 for its "beacon-bright" and "inventive" architecture, the building was designed to serve the community for 50 years and be flexible so that it could change as the needs of the community evolved.