Find the latest news and updates from the library. If you are a reporter working on a news story, please contact the library's public information officer, George Williams via email at George.Williams2@dc.gov or by phone at (202) 727-1184.
(Mis)Information Lab | Cell Phones and Cancer
Because cell phones give off radiation and certain types of radiation are known to cause cancer, some people are concerned that cell phones may cause cancer. There have also been a few studies that show that it is possible that cell phones may cause cancer, but there have been problems with those studies. Most studies, organizations and government agencies agree that there is no current evidence that suggests that cell phones cause cancer.
(Mis)Information Lab | Vaccines
Vaccines help keep everyone safe from diseases, both individually and on a community level, and have been used in some form since the 18th century. But in the last few decades, misinformation about the safety and efficacy of vaccines has been spreading, leading to lower vaccination rates.
(Mis)Information Lab | Critical Race Theory and Book Bans
In 2023 the number of books banned in the United States rose to 4,250 unique book titles (as reported by the American Library Association), a national record. Critical Race Theory (CRT) is one umbrella term by which multiple, and sometimes over a hundred books are banned at once. Learn the history of CRT, how it is conflated with other topics, and why CRT is the target of book bans nationwide.
Art All Night 2024
DC Art All Night is back and we can't wait to stay out late with you! Art All Night will take place on Friday, Sept. 27 and Saturday, Sept. 28. Residents can enjoy activations in all eight wards, including several DC Public Library locations!
(Mis)Information Lab | How to Identify AI
Artificial Intelligence (AI) models such as Google Bard and Microsoft Copilot can do math, generate code, summarize an article, and write realistic, even authoritative-sounding product reviews, research papers and news.
National Library Card Sign-Up Month
There's more than meets the eye at DC Public Library! Sign up for a library card or renew your card today.
Five Great Children’s Books for Labor Day
Labor Day is Sept. 2 this year. We don’t have the literally explosive labor movement that existed when the federal holiday began 130 years ago, but we hear echoes of many of the same social tensions. Below I mention some classics in the DCPL collection that honor America’s workers and spotlight five great books about work for children.