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In the News: The Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library Reopening

The Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library reopened on September 24 after undergoing a complete modernization. The transformed flagship library now features: a spectacular new, vibrant and transparent entryway sculptured monumental staircase a large auditorium and conference center 

Get Holiday Tips from the DC Public Library

eBook, eVideo and online courses being curated around themes

This year will be very different for people who are used to traveling or gathering in large groups for the holiday season. For some, this year may be the first time cooking a holiday meal at all, or in a long time. For others, holiday games and activities may have been someone else's strong suit. To help people make the most of their socially-distanced celebrations, the DC Public Library is organizing its digital resources into themed categories for a campaign called Home for the Holidays DC. 

DC Public Library Releases Facilities Master Plan

Next Libris will inform building investment through 2030

District residents may see more changes at libraries across the city, including the possibility of new locations in areas without Library service over the next decade. Today, the DC Public Library unveiled Next Libris, its new Facilities Master Plan that guides the next ten years of planning for library buildings across the city.  Highlights of the plan include:

Library hosts a month of programming centered on "Good Talk: A Memoir in Conversations"

Mira Jacob's graphic novel on race and identity focus of 2020 DC Reads

Novelist Mira Jacob's son is half-Jewish and half-Indian. At age six, he started asking questions about what he saw on the news, like the riots in Ferguson, Missouri following the murder of Michael Brown. Talking to her son and relatives about race made Jacobs realize that there aren't easy answers to growing up as a person of color. She documented many of those conversations in what became the graphic novel "Good Talk: A Memoir in Conversations."

Take a 360-Degree Tour of the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library

People interested in the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library modernization can now tour the building virtually. Today, the DC Public Library released a 360-degree visualization of the District's Central Library.  Narrated by DC Public Library Executive Director Richard Reyes-Gavilan, the virtual tour takes customers through all six floors of the modernized library, including areas not currently publicly accessible. People will be able to examine all angles of the library's iconic new spaces, including: The Grand Reading Room 

DC Central Kitchen to run modernized Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library's cafe and catering operations

Will work with Occasions Catering and Chef José Andrés’ ThinkFoodGroup

The DC Public Library has selected DC Central Kitchen, in partnership with Occasions Catering and Chef José Andrés' ThinkFoodGroup, to provide food and catering services for the modernized Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library. As part of managing the building's café, meeting and special event spaces, the group will offer District residents hospitality-sector apprenticeship opportunities.

All Large Library Locations To Resume Limited Operations November 9

Chevy Chase, Georgetown and Palisades Libraries will Reopen

Starting Monday, November 9, the Chevy Chase, Georgetown and Palisades Neighborhood Libraries will open with limited services. These three locations are the District's remaining large neighborhood libraries.   The Chevy Chase, Georgetown and Palisades Neighborhood Libraries will follow the system’s current operating schedule and be open on weekdays from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM and from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM.

Life in Washington During COVID-19 Captured in Library’s “Archive This Moment DC” Collection

88 photos submitted by District residents in DC Public Library's first release of collection showing daily activities and sights during the city's stay-at-home order

In April, the marquee on the Anthem music venue read, 'We'll get thru this" as the District worked to mitigate the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) with a stay-at-home order. At the World Central Kitchen in the U Street Corridor, Dreaming Out Loud program alumni donned face masks while preparing meals for seniors and homebound residents.  

Mayor Bowser Cuts Ribbon on New Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library

Today, Mayor Muriel Bowser and District leaders celebrated the completion of the three-year, $211 million Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library modernization. In 2016, Mayor Bowser accelerated the project funding by two years to allow for a 2020 reopening. Ultimately, the project, delivered on time and on budget, took a total of just more than six years.

Library Adds Autorenewal and Extends Quarantines for Checked Out Items

Measures reduce required trips to Library and incorporate new research on COVID-19 and Library materials

The DC Public Library is implementing two new practices in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The Library will automatically renew items currently checked out and has also extended the quarantine period for materials returned to the library from 72 hours to 96 hours.   

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