The Woodridge Neighborhood Library Celebrates its 84th Anniversary

The near month-long celebration will include a variety of programs and demonstrations and culminate on Sunday, Dec. 15 at 2 p.m. with a closing program for the community. The program will feature world-renowned griot, dancer and songstress Nana Malaya Rucker, violin selections from Woodridge Book Notes, a video presentation, expressions from the community and more! To thank our customers, freebies and limited special edition 84th Anniversary ink pens will be available on a first-come, first-served basis, beginning  Saturday, Dec. 7 at the Words@1:30 Open Mic Poetry program.
 
Don’t forget to sign our “Memory Wall” on Dec. 15!

Memorabilia of the Library and its surrounding community will be on display from Dec. 1 to Dec. 22.

For more information, please check out our calendar of events or visit us online at dclibrary.org/woodridge.
 
The Woodridge Neighborhood Library will close its current location on Dec. 22 at 5 p.m.
The Woodridge Interim Library at 1790 Douglas St. NE will open on Jan. 13, 2014 at 9:30 a.m.
 
Interesting Facts about the Woodridge Library:

• The Woodridge Sub-branch Library opened on Dec. 7, in 1929 at 2206 Rhode Island Ave NE. Art Enables now occupies the former location.
• Woodridge Library was the fifth branch of the DC Public Library system. It opened with a collection of fewer than 2,000 volumes. In its first week 2,056 volumes were circulated, and within 48 hours of its opening the local newspapers reported a shortage of books at the new branch. In 1931, Woodridge Library had the largest circulation of any of the five sub-branches. The runner-up was Chevy Chase.
• Persons placing reserves paid 2 cents to be notified when their materials were available for pick-up at the library.
• The Harold J. Clay Meeting Room was dedicated on July 18, 1959. Harold J. Clay was past president of the Rhode Island Ave. Citizens’ Association.
• The Woodridge Garden Club and Woodridge Stamp Club met at the Woodridge Library.
• The opening session of the Woodridge Book Club was held on Oct. 11, 1949.
• In 1956, the Library hours of operation were 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.