News Releases

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Today, Marion Barry's autobiography, "Mayor for Life: The Incredible Story of Marion Barry, Jr.," is being released. Written with novelist Omar Tyree, “Mayor for Life” covers the 78-year-old Barry’s upbringing, involvement in the Civil Rights movement as well as his four decades in District politics.

Win a Tablet Computer by Learning How Lil Wayne and H.G. Wells Write

Three-Afternoon Workshop Teaches Literary Criticism Through Hip-Hop

Think that Lil Wayne, Iggy Azalea and H.G. Wells don’t have anything in common? Think again.All three writers use tools called literary devices. When a reader understands those devices, they can recognize and recreate them. Next week, teens at the Petworth Library will learn them at a three-afternoon workshop called Words Liive. The teen who does the best over the three-afternoon workshop will win a Samsung tablet computer.

DC Public Library Kicks-off Summer Reading Program

This Saturday, stop by the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library to join District children, teens and parents as they celebrate the start of the DC Public Library’s Summer Reading Program. Activities including story times, face painting, crafts, live marine animals, and an appearance by two of the Nationals Racing Presidents.

DC Public Library Rewards Summer Readers with Prizes

Children and Teens Can Earn Washington Nationals Tickets and Chipotle Vouchers

This summer, parents looking for ways to get their kids to read can look to the DC Public Library. Thanks to partners like the Washington Nationals and Chipotle, children and teens will earn prizes for reading this summer. Starting this month and running through August, the DC Public Library will give readers a free kids meal or burrito from Chipotle halfway through the Summer Reading program.

Helping Teens Become Literacy Leaders

Dr. Liane Rosenblatt, a social anthropologist and senior children's specialist with the DC Public Library, has co-authored an article for a book on using literature to promote cross-cultural understanding. The article "Reading Across Continents: Creating Adolescent Literacy Leaders in Washington, DC; Abuja, Nigeria; and Accra, Ghana” appears in "International Collaborations in Literacy Research and Practice.” Written with Dr.

Pick Who is Featured in DC Reads 2014

Voting Period Open

The DC Public Library has started citywide voting for DC Reads 2014. Running from Oct. 15 to Nov. 15, DC Reads features one book for reading and discussion. This year’s nominees are “Lost in the City” by Edward P. Jones; “The Beautiful Things that Heaven Bears” by Dinaw Mengestu; “The Things They Carried” by Tim O’Brien; and “Hard Revolution” by George Pelecanos. To learn more click here.

District of Change: Making D.C. Better for the Arts

Library Live-streams 3-D Printing

Today, the DC Public Library began showing its 3-D printer at work on its Ustream feed. DCist.com spoke with Digital Commons Library Associate Adam Schaeffer about this pilot program. To read the interview, click here.

BiblioCraft Workshop with Author Jessica Pigza

On June 12, author Jessica Pigza will join DC Public Library's Creative Class for a special author talk, book signing, and craft workshop. Ms. Pigza will discuss her new book Bibliocraft: A Modern Crafter's Guide to Using Library Resources to Jumpstart Creative Projects. Then, she and DC Public Library staff will show participants how to make a craft project from Ms.

Walter Mosley Presents “Debbie Doesn't Do It Anymore” at Library

Podcast Available

On May 20, author Walter Mosley discussed and signed his latest book, “Debbie Doesn't Do It Anymore” at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library. You can listen to the whole talk along with the question and answer session below: