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 Celebrate the 64th Annual National Library Week from Apr. 3 - 9 with DC Public Library! The theme for National Library Week 2022 is “Libraries Connect.” The public library is a crucial connecting point in our communities. Libraries at every chapter of our lives connect you to knowledge, skills and most importantly, each other. From a toddler's first story time, to online homework help for students, to a resume workshop for finding your first job to finding new neighborhood friends in book club and beyond - your library is your connector.
The work of the public library wouldn't be possible without the amazing staff who build and maintain beautiful spaces, provide you with great customer service, welcome you to amazing programs, fill our shelves with wonderful books and so much more. This National Library Week we want to honor these special workers by letting them know what we love about our library! Here is how you can join in:
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Stop By Your Neighborhood Library
Stop by your neighborhood library and fill out an I Love My Library card letting us know what you love about the DC Public Library. Cards will be posted throughout National Library Week!
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Shout Out the Library Online
During National Library Week, share a message or a video with us on social media letting us know why you love the library using the hashtag #ILoveMyLibrary!
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Join DC Public Library's Teen Council, Politics and Prose and the DC Public Library Foundation tomorrow, Apr. 5 at 5 p.m. for an inspirational program with author De Nichols about her book Art of Protest: Creating, Discovering, and Activating Art for Your Revolution. Nichols will be talking with the Library's Teen Council about art and how you can harness it as a powerful medium to deliver social messages.
The first 50 young people to register for the event and select the "Free Event Admission + Free Book" option at registration will receive a complimentary copy of the book for their home library. Recipients of the complimentary copy can pick their book up in the Alma Thomas Teen Space at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library. These books are generously donated by the District of Columbia Public Library Foundation.
This program is presented in conjunction with D.C. Public Library’s Know Your Power contest, sponsored by Pepco. Teens are invited to submit an original work of writing, photography, illustration, or music that expresses their feelings on a social issue that matters to them. More information can be found on the Know Your Power page.
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 This April DC Public Library is celebrating National Poetry Month! Launched in 1996 by the Academy of American Poets, National Poetry Month is an annual opportunity to recognize the importance of poetry and poets in our culture.
We often think of poetry as an art form that expresses emotions and ideas using words in a distinctive pattern or rhythm, but did you know that the idea of poetry extends to music? Symphonic poems, also known as tone poems, are a piece of music that invites the listener to imagine emotions, scenes and images through the instruments. Like a poem they are often (but not always!) shorter than a normal symphony, with one single movement that tells a whole story. You may be familiar with one of the most famous symphonic poems, Mussorgsky's Night on Bald Mountain which was featured in Disney's Fantasia.
Interested in hearing a symphonic poem? We've picked a few of our favorites that you can stream for free with Freegal below! Simply log in with your DC Public Library Card to start listening.
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 Isle of the Dead by Sergei Rachmaninoff
This piece written in 1908 was inspired by a moody black and white reproduction of Arnold Böcklin's painting which depicts an oarsman taking someone to the afterlife. If you listen closely you can hear the rhythmic rowing in the music.
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 An American In Paris by George Gershwin
This 1928 tone poem by Gershwin is best summed up by the composer himself, "My purpose here is to portray the impressions of an American visitor in Paris as he strolls about the city, listens to the various street noises, and absorbs the French atmosphere."
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 Hamlet by Franz Liszt
Liszt was inspired to translate Hamlet into music after watching a performance that portrayed Hamlet's character with more psychological nuance than he'd ever seen before.
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The Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library is excited to announce that the slide is now open during regular hours! The slide can be located in two ways, from the second floor children's room and from the monumental stairs. The slide is recommended for children ages 6-12 but all ages are welcome to give it a go! Please note that adults that are not accompanying children should access the slide via the stairwell. Enjoy sliding into reading with us! |
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This Week At the Library
See what programs are coming up this week in person and online at the Library!
Ward 1 | Mt. Pleasant Library
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Afterschool Activites | Tuesday, Apr. 5, 4:30 p.m.
Join us every Tuesday for a variety of activities, reading, STEM, arts & crafts. Recommended for ages 6 and up. No registration is required. Supplies will be provided.
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Ward 2 | Georgetown Library
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Gentle Yoga | Monday, Apr. 4, 11 a.m.
Would you like to gain strength, flexibility, and balance physically while encouraging relaxation and meditation mentally? In this class taught by Beth Lawrence, we will practice a set of poses, both seated and standing using the chair as a prop, that will promote strength, flexibility, and balance physically while encouraging relaxation and meditation mentally. Designed for older adults who prefer a slower-paced practice.
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Ward 3 | Cleveland Park Library
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Friends of the Cleveland Park Library Used Book Sale | Saturday, Apr. 9, 10 a.m.
The Friends of the Cleveland Park Library will hold a used book sale at the library on Saturday, April 9 from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. We'll have hundreds of books for you to peruse including fiction, novels, mysteries, a broad range of non-fiction, and children’s books. As always, hardbacks are $2 and paperbacks $1. All proceeds are used to support library programs.
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Ward 4 | Shepherd Park Library
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Stuffed Animal Scavenger Hunt | Ongoing
Our stuffed animals love to read as much as you do! Stop by Shepherd Park during the month of April and see if you can find out where the stuffed animals are hiding in the stacks. We'll give you a list of clues based on the Dewey Decimal system. Fill out your scavenger hunt form and stop by the front desk when you are done.
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Ward 5 | Woodridge Library
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Family Story Time | Tuesday, Apr. 5, 10:30 a.m.
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.
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Ward 6 | Southeast Library
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Friends of the Southeast Library Used Book Sale | Saturday, Apr. 9, 10 a.m.
Join the Friends of Southeast Library (FOSEL) to shop a range of titles with prices starting at $1. Proceeds supplement library programs. Looking to donate? The Friends will accept donations in their blue bin by the D St. entrance to the building.
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Ward 7 | Deanwood Library
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Congresswoman Norton’s Office's Community Office Hours | Thursday, Apr. 7, 1:30 p.m.
Congresswoman Norton’s district office team will be on-site to assist D.C. residents with federal issues and casework, share information on upcoming events and other community resources.
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Ward 8 | Parklands-Turner Library
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My Library Is...Poems | Saturday, Apr. 9, 2 p.m.
It's National Library Week! Connect and express your thoughts about the library by writing a poem entitled: My Library is... Poems will be displayed and shared on Saturday, April 9th at 2:00 pm in the Children's room.
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Please check the Library's website for any program updates before visiting your neighborhood Library. You can find all upcoming programs in your library or online on our calendar.
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 Capital Bicycle Club members Clarence G. Allen, Max Hansmann, and L. Warren Seely pose with their bicycles on the side of the road.
The People's Archive has recently added a new collection of photos to our online portal Dig DC. There you can find photos, maps, oral histories and more documenting the history of Washington D.C.
This photograph collection features historic images from the Capital Bicycle Club dating primarily from the 1880s that document the activities of DC residents who enthusiastically advocated for cycling at a time when the bicycle was still a brand new invention.
The Club was the third of its kind in the United States and was incorporated on May 6, 1886, with the motto "Swiftly and Silently." The Club's initial goal was to affect public perception of the bicycle by working with local officials on safety measures. As part of Club rules, members were instructed to use bells during the day and lamps at night to avoid collisions with pedestrians. Such measures secured local rights for Club members and cyclists in general while influencing new municipal bicycle policies across the United States.
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 This week, the Bowser Administration announced the launch of the #HealthyHeroesDC Youth Art Contest for students to share the healthy choices they are making every day to keep their communities safe, including receiving their routine vaccinations and getting vaccinated against COVID-19.
District youth ages 5-12 are encouraged to participate and showcase the ways we can make healthy choices to keep our communities strong. The contest is open through Apr. 22. All DC Public Library locations are drop-off sites for artwork.
A panel of judges comprised of members of the art and education communities will select a total of 10 winners. Art pieces from the 10 winners will be featured in a city-wide digital and print media campaign. Five winners will be selected from each of the two categories:
- Ages 5-8 Category
- Ages 9-12 Category
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