Petworth Library

The Petworth Neighborhood Library, designed by Nathan C. Wyeth, first opened in 1939. The building was fully renovated and reopened in February 2011.

Services and Features

• Welcoming spaces with comfortable seating and lounge chairs
• More than 40,000 books, DVDs and other library materials with a capacity to hold up to 80,000
• Children’s story room for story time and other children’s activities
• Dedicated areas for adults, children and teens
• 40 computers (8 Macs for teens) with free Wi-Fi Internet access
• Laptops for personal use or computer training classes
• 100-person community room connecting to a new outdoor patio
• 12-person conference room
• Two quiet study rooms
• New and restored woodwork throughout
• New terrazzo tile floor mosaic
• Parking lot
• Landscape and site improvements
• New cupola and balustrade constructed according to the original 1938 design

The library also features many environmentally-friendly features including:

• A new, energy efficient heating and air conditioning system
• Energy efficient lighting
• Natural linoleum floors in the Lower Level
• Natural cork floors in the first and second floor reading rooms
• Bike racks
• Use of paints, adhesives and coatings that don’t emit harmful fumes
• Water-efficient toilets and faucets

Awards and Certifications

• Craftsmanship Award (for the new terrazzo floor), presented by the Washington Building Congress in 2011
• Washington Chapter of the American Institute of Architects, 2011 Chapter Awards