News Releases

Releases First-Ever Spring Collection Guide

(Washington) This spring, the D.C. Public Library released Bloom, a guide showcasing the library’s books, DVDs and CDs for spring.

D.C. Students Shine at DC Public Library Young Poet Marathon

Innocence, Pride and Peace Featured in National Poetry Month Celebration

(Washington, D.C.) Warren Fields used to think that there was light under his skin. In his poem, “I Shine!” Fields falls and sees his own blood. The 10-year-old’s response, “I was disappointed.” Fields and 75 other young poets in the fourth and fifth grades will perform their original poems at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library on April 2 as part of the library’s National Poetry Month celebration.

DC Library to Help D.C. Residents Prepare Their Taxes

(Washington D.C.) With the federal income tax filing deadline less than a month away, the D.C. Public Library is offering free tax assistance and information. The library, already experiencing an increase in usage, expects the number of people seeking tax help to rise this year as more residents look for no-cost options. “In these times of economic uncertainty and tax changes, many people are turning to the library for help,” said Ginnie Cooper, chief librarian for the D.C. Public Library.

Community Gets Sneak Peak of the New Takoma Park Neighborhood Library

First full-service library to open in 19 years completed one month ahead of schedule

Mayor Adrian Fenty joined Chief Librarian Ginnie Cooper; D.C. Council Committee on Libraries, Parks and Recreation Chair Harry Thomas Jr.; Councilmember Muriel Bowser; Board of Library Trustees President John Hill; and Board of Library Trustee members for a tour of the newly-renovated Takoma Park Neighborhood Library today.The Takoma Park Neighborhood Library closed in October 2008 for a six-month $1.95 million renovation. Originally scheduled for an April opening, the library will open to the public March 10.

Go-Go Concert, Obama Keepsakes Class Round Out Black History Month Celebration at DC Public Library

Black History Month Celebration at DC Public Library

Go-Go music is a form of musical expression indigenous to the African-American neighborhoods of Washington, D.C. The panel will be moderated by John Mercer, a member of the Go-Go band EU – known for its 1980s hit song “Da Butt.” Concert follows panel discussion.The “Preserving Presidential Inaugural Memorabilia” class will teach participants how to preserve photos, newspapers, buttons, T-shirts, caps and other mementos collected during President Barack Obama’s historic Inauguration.

Statement from Ginnie Cooper Regarding the Death of J. Max Bond

Many of us at the DC Public Library are deeply sad to learn of the death of J. Max Bond. As Chief Librarian, I have had the pleasure of working with architects who have wonderful and well-deserved reputations - locally, nationally, and internationally. Max is foremost among these.The new Watha T. Daniel/Shaw and Benning Neighborhood Libraries, now under construction, have Max's indelible fingerprints. Max brought world-class, designs to DC residents. He had an incomparable spirit and the determination to make each project a masterpiece.

DC Public Library Hires Human Resources Staff

Responsibilities Will Include a Focus on High-Performance Culture

The D.C. Public Library has named Barbara L. Kirven director of human resources and Angela R. Simpson workforce training and development manager.Kirven will head the library’s Human Resources Department. Her responsibilities will include partnering with library staff and management to implement strategic human capital, organization structure, recruitment and retention programs that foster an employee-oriented, high-performance culture. In addition, Kirven will play a key role in developing and communicating the library's vision and strategies.

DC Public Library Decides to Reduce Hours

Economic downturn limits staffing

Beginning March 2, the D.C. Public Library will operate with reduced service hours to accommodate the city’s lower-than-expected revenue projections. “The city’s $250 million projected loss in tax-revenue this fiscal year means that the library is likely not to receive the funding it anticipated,” said Ginnie Cooper, chief librarian for the D.C. Public Library.

Economic Downturn May Impact DC Public Library

Library explores reducing hours citywide

The D.C. Public Library is considering reducing service hours beginning March 2 to accommodate the city’s lower-than-expected revenue projections. A decision is expected later this week. Ginnie Cooper, chief librarian of the D.C. Public Library, notes that the recommended reduction in hours is designed to have the least impact on the public.

DC Public Library Launches First Free Library iPhone Application in Nation

DC Public Library launches "DCPL" iPhone application for use as library services portal

The DC Public Library, which is the first library to offer free iPod compatible audio books, has launched the first public library iPhone application in the nation.The application, entitled DCPL, is the portal to enjoying Washington, DC Public Library services using your iPhone or iPod Touch. With it, you can very quickly search library resources and find books and materials from anywhere in the country. Notice a new book by a favorite author? Check the iPhone for a copy.With the DCPL, you can: Search for books, music, movies and more