Petworth
Neighborhood Library

Events
Blog

picture of circuits, lightbulbs, brains, etc.

Tech Club

Thursday, April 26, 2018, 4:30 pm

Every month we’ll work with a different technology. You’ll learn a bit and have lots of free time to experiment, build and design. Technologies will include circuits, robotics, video game design and more. This program is recommended for ages 8-13. Between the ages of 5-8? Check out our STEM time on Mondays at 4:30 p.m.

Family Story Time

Saturday, April 28, 2018, 10:30 am

Story Time fun for the entire family. These 30-40 minute story times are packed full of books and activities designed to be enjoyed by all ages. Promoting language and literacy skills, these story times are a great way to further your child’s lifelong love of reading and learning. Children and their grownups are encouraged to actively engage and participate with the stories and activities during the program.

Petworth Playgroup

Monday, April 30, 2018, 10:30 am

Each Monday, we invite our youngest patrons and their caregivers to color, listen to music, play with Duplos, socialize and more! Supplies provided (but feel free to bring toys to share!). Playgroup meets in our 2nd floor Children's Room. Recommended for ages 4 and under.

Computer Basics Class

Monday, April 30, 2018, 10:30 am

Come learn about computers from the certified trainers at the Petworth Neighborhood Library. Pop in to learn from scratch, master new tricks or even just sit in for a refresher.

Kid's Club: STEM Special Edition: El Día de los Niños/El Día de los Libros

Monday, April 30, 2018, 4:30 pm

Kids ages 5-12 are invited to this special edition of of our Kid's STEM Club, where we'll be celebrating El Día de los Niños/El Día de los Libros, or "Children's Day/Book Day," inspired by a popular celebration across Latin America (and many other countries). At our Día event, we'll celebrate children with a focus on language and cultural diversity in books and literacy. Join us for:

DC Writes! A Petworth Writers Workshop

Wednesday, May 2, 2018, 7:00 pm

The Petworth Library's writers workshops are made up of people from a variety of backgrounds and writing levels: beginners, veteran wordsmiths, and emeriti. We write creative nonfiction, fiction, poetry, and scripts.

Death Cafe

Thursday, May 3, 2018, 6:30 pm

At a Death Cafe, we drink tea, eat cake and discuss death. The aim is to increase awareness of death to help ourselves make the most of our (finite) lives. What's on your mind about death and dying? We will cover whatever topics or questions you bring to the group. This is a discussion group rather than a grief support or counseling session.

This is My Story: Memoir Writing at the Petworth Writers' Workshops

Monday, May 7, 2018, 9:30 am

Come join us at Petworth Library for our new writing program, This is My Story. Have you ever wanted write a memoir? Is there something you've always wanted to say, but are afraid to say it? Join us as we explore the craft of writing memoirs and learn from other memoir writers the best way to take from our own memories—our own stories—and put them to paper. Contact Christopher Stevenson by email or phone (202-243-1187) for more information.

Kids' Club: STEM Time

Monday, May 7, 2018, 4:30 pm

Kids ages 5-12 are invited to participate in a STEM (science, engineering, technology and math) activity each Monday afternoon. Come experiment, build, create, solve puzzles and more.

Learn to Use a Sewing Machine

This beginner's level class will teach you how to use a sewing machine over your lunch break. Learn how to thread the machine, fill a bobbin and sew a straight line. Sewing machines provided. Space is limited, so be sure to sign up.

Pages

Get A Clue: A Winter Scavenger Hunt

Back by popular demand for our oh-so-clever 8 -12 year old Petworth pals! On Tuesday, December 27 at 2:30 p.m., we are recruiting all super sleuths for our winter scavenger hunt! Your mission is to complete several physical challenges and solve our series of clues to win the final prize. You and your friends have 70 minutes to finish! This program information will self-destruct in 5 . . .4 . . . 3 . . . 2 . . .

International Games Day 2016!

Join us for a day of play!

Over a thousand libraries around the world will celebrate the ninth annual International Games Day @ Your Library, an annual celebration of games, play, libraries, learning and community! Help us close out National Games and Puzzles week with International Games Day @ Petworth Library. Last year’s event drew an enthusiastic group of gamers between the ages of 2 to 17 years old.

Autumn's Tough Topic: Emotional Resiliency

At the start of a new school season, children’s emotions can run the gamut. Although many children feel excited and confident about beginning school with new clothes or new supplies, some may display a bit of anxiety when it’s time to say goodbye to a parent at drop off. Early in the school year, returning students may feel reticent and unsure about interacting with different teachers and classmates, or their assignments may seem intimidating.

book cover for "The Manny files" by Christian Burch.

Kids Support #OrlandoUnited

“Every human being, of whatever origin, of whatever station, deserves respect. We must each respect others even as we respect ourselves.” – U. Thant Children are the key to a safer and more tolerant future for our nation. Only through education and understating will our future leaders be able to lead a nation full of promise, diversity, and freedom. Chapter Books:

book cover for "Rubyfruit Jungle" by Rita Mae Brown.

#OrlandoUnited

“When we speak we are afraid our words will not be heard or welcomed. But when we are silent, we are still afraid. So it is better to speak.” – Audre Lorde

Lights! Camera! Uncensored!

Celebrating Banned Books Week Through Film

September 6 The Color Purple, Francis A. Gregory Neighborhood Library, 6 p.m. September 16 Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, Francis A. Gregory Neighborhood Library, 6 p.m. September 21

Picture Books About Sports for People Who Don’t Like Sports

Just in Time for Summer Reading!

I have to admit that I am not an avid sports fan. Luckily, there are many well-written books about sports that I still find interesting because of their intriguing characters or plot points. Since the summer reading theme for this year is “Go for the Gold” and the summer Olympics are only a couple of months away, here is a timely list of 10 picture books that are good picks for sports lovers and non-lovers alike.

Picture This . . .

Picture Books That Bring Asia and the Pacific Islands into Focus

Thanks to a congressional act in 1992 Asian/Pacific American Month is annually observed in the month of May. May was chosen to commemorate the immigration of the first Japanese to the United States on May 7, 1843, and to mark the anniversary of the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869. The majority of the workers who laid the tracks were Chinese immigrants.

Global Stories and Songs

A story time romp around the world!

Hello, Bonjour, Buenos Dias! Good Day, Guten Tag, Konichiwa! Join us for Global Stories and Songs on Friday, June 17 at 3:00 p.m. Let Ms. Tea and Ms.Tracy help build multi-cultural awareness and appreciation in your young child. Our books and music will fuel the imagination as we enjoy stories, songs and languages from all around the world. Click here to visit DC Public Library's website for free access to Mango's Little Pim, online language learning lessons for children!

Brain Games Chat & Chew

Blaze a Trail with us during Older Americans Month

So many of our older Americans currently live with dementia. While the causes related to advanced age and genetics are immutable, many people have committed to the prevention of the gradual decline in mental acuity with the adoption of healthier eating habits, adequate rest, physical and mental exercise. Mature and Motivated's Train Your Brain Games incorporates enjoyable puzzles, games and mental exercises to encourage social interaction, learning, memory, creativity and flexibility in thinking.

Adults