Petworth
Neighborhood Library

3/2 | This evening at the Petworth Library there was a targeted attack involving two individuals in which one lost their life. In consideration of DC Public Library staff who were present during this traumatic event, the Petworth Library will remain closed through Sunday, March 5 and will reopen Monday, March 6. Thank you for your understanding.
Sunny Side Up book cover

When You've Read All the Raina Telgemeier... (Part 1)

...try some of these.

You may know and love Raina Telgemeier (listen to her pronounce her name here) from her graphic novels Smile, Sisters,

The Age of Innocence

Women's History Pulitzer Picks

Exceptional fiction from exceptional women

The Pulitzer Prize (Fiction) is a prestigious honor that acknowledges groundbreaking work in the literary world. As Women's History Month is celebrated all throughout the month of March, please consider these award winning titles that are available at DC Public Library.  The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton

Dinosaurs from Head to Tail book cover

Science Fun 101

Engaging intros to science topics for preK-2nd graders

Why is the sky blue? Why do dogs wag their tails? Why don’t I float away when I hold a balloon? Why? WHY? WHYYYYY? If you have a kiddo in your life, you probably encounter questions like these all the time. These questions are beautiful proof that children are budding scientists, eager to explore how and why things work. But, um, they’re really dang tough to answer.

Bird Box

Bird Box Read-a-Like Challenge

Adult Fiction with Thrills and Chills

Pop culture has been abuzz over the latest book to film adaptation: Netflix's Bird Box. The overnight sensation walks the line of a post-apocalyptic, psychological thriller featuring Sandra Bullock and her two children evading a mysterious presence to reach safety. The film has generated much curiosity toward the source material and DC Public Library has everything you need for your movie to book comparison needs.

Image of silhouettes holding protest signs

Teen Activism and Advocacy

In 2018, teens used their voices to demand change. They advocated for themselves, for their families and for each other by attending protests, participating in campaigns, and contacting representatives in their local and federal governments. The advocacy of teens has often been overlooked and their power is minimized. These books highlight the issues teens face today, how you can affect change in your community, and introduce the voices of teen activists.

Cut

Is This Really Controversial?

Books about teens that have been challenged by parents, schools or libraries.

Banned Books Week is a very popular time for readers everywhere.

Countless Haints cover

Weird Summer

Stories to Read at O-Dark-Thirty

I love October for its Halloween creepiness, but I'm most in the mood to read weird fiction once the weather turns warm. Maybe it's some early childhood influences at work: my grade-school summers were filled with trips to the library, where I could check out whatever I wanted, and for a long time that was solely stories of UFOs, Bigfoot, ghosts and telekinesis.

The Stars are Legion

Lesbians...in...SPAAAAACE!

The future of sci-fi is queer.

One of the frustrating things about reading books with queer characters is that, until fairly recently, the publications that seemed to get the most attention were realistic plots that often involved grim coming-out stories. If you wanted to read about lesbian or genderfluid characters who just happened to be wizards, adventuring space pirates or awkward AIs, you were mostly out of luck.

Family portrait

Photography Classes

Spring and Summer 2018

All workshops will last 90 minutes and will be taught by photography teacher Amanda Archibald. We will meet in the lower level meeting room.  Register via Eventbrite or e-mail us to help us plan ahead. Click the links below for more information.  

Still from The Shape of Water

What to Read After Seeing "The Shape of Water"

Books for those who can't get enough of Guillermo del Toro's weird and atmospheric movies

Guillermo del Toro's movie The Shape of Water was released this past December, and people immediately began arguing as to whether it was a romance or a horror film. It definitely has elements of both, being about a mute janitress who realizes a disturbingly humanoid fish monster is being subjected to cruel experiments in the secret government facility where she works.

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