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 Join us in celebrating the remarkable legacy of James Baldwin, one of America's most influential writers and thinkers, as we commemorate 100 years since his birth. Throughout the month, DC Public Library is hosting a series of engaging programs honoring the life and legacy of Baldwin and we invite you to be a part of these memorable events. While you’re at it, consider checking out one of Baldwin’s works, or learn more about his impact by watching a film or documentary on Kanopy!
Upcoming Special Events
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Jay Ellis' Did Everyone Have an Imaginary Friend (Or Just Me?)
Friday, Aug. 2, 3 p.m. | Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library
DC Public Library, in partnership with Mahogany Books is excited to host star of HBO's Insecure Jay Ellis as we celebrate the release of his debut memoir, Did Everyone Have an Imaginary Friend (or Just Me)? This humorous memoir charts Ellis' unforgettable journey from adolescence to adulthood, told in the roast-you-with-love voice of your closest homey! Moderating the afternoon's conversation will be New York Times bestselling author Jason Reynolds!
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I Am Not Your Negro Documentary Screening
Saturday, Aug. 3, 10 a.m. | Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library
I Am Not Your Negro envisions the book James Baldwin never finished, a radical narration about race in America, using the writer’s original words, as read by actor Samuel L. Jackson. Alongside a flood of rich archival material, the film draws upon Baldwin’s notes on the lives and assassinations of Medgar Evers, Malcolm X, and Martin Luther King Jr. to explore and bring a fresh and radical perspective to the current racial narrative in America.
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Giovanni's Room DC Bushwick Book Club Performance
Saturday, Aug. 3, 2 p.m. | Georgetown Library
DC Bushwick Book Club artists will present new works inspired by James Baldwin's 'Giovanni's Room,' expressing their personal interpretations through spoken word, music, and film. Each of the eight artists will explore the themes of romance and passion found in Baldwin's universally relatable language.
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 Whether your little one is excited to start school for the first time, your high school senior is thinking about what's next or you are looking at continuing your own education, DC Public Library has everything you need to stay engaged with learning and have a great school year. Explore our many helpful resources and services such as:
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Early Literacy | Explore educational (and fun!) videos, games and activities for our smallest learners.
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Research Databases | Research academic topics with a wide variety of research databases that hold articles, studies, presentation support, and more.
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GED Prep | Receive tutoring for the GED exam and take the GED Practice Ready Test at the Adult Learning Center of the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library.
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Newspapers & Journals | Access local and global coverage on a variety of topics
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Adult Literacy | Explore book discussions and information about DC adult literacy programs through the Adult Education Directory.
See more for each age group - including book lists, specialized resources and more - on our Back to School page and step into the new school year ready to learn!
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Do you have your DC Public Library Card?
We think a DC Public Library Card is the best school supply you could have in your pencil box. Find helpful resources like research databases, educational games, and live tutoring online - all accessible through your library card!
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Explore the African American journey and its role in shaping the cultural narrative of the Washington, D.C. area in the latest exhibit on the fifth floor of the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, now on display until January 9, 2025. Capital Connections showcases the work of seven artists that seeks to symbolize the creative unification of different ethnicities and how various images and social designs become associated with cultural ideologies. This exhibition spans a decade of artistic production, illustrating the impact of the DMV (D.C., Maryland, and Virginia) on these artists and their institutions.
Visit the exhibit and consider joining us for the complimentary Capital Connections Artist Series where the exhibiting artists will share an aspect of their craft in a hands-on workshop. Upcoming workshops include:
Stamp Making with Sarah Matthews
Monday, July 22, 5:30 p.m. | MLK Library
Join Capital Connection Exhibit artist, Sarah Matthews, in a small-scale stamp making workshop. Sarah Matthews showcases her distinctive technique of layering stamps to produce vivid graphic prints. In this workshop, participants will learn to design, carve, and print their own stamps.
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Collaging with Winston Harris
Monday, July 29, 5:30 p.m. | MLK Library
Join Capital Connection Exhibit artist, Winston Harris, in a small-scale collaging and printmaking workshop. Learn about his process restructuring digital prints by separating irregular shapes within the images and removing space from the print to collage and overlap the images, adding color and structural support.
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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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Dance Dance Revolution & Just Dance Party | Wednesday, July 24, 4 p.m.
Get your steps in and join us for an afternoon of dance at the library!
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Ward 2 | Georgetown Library
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Langston Hughes: The Darker Brother | Saturday, July 27, 2 p.m.
Join us for an enlightening journey into the life and literary legacy of Langston Hughes, titled "Langston Hughes: The Darker Brother." This exploration is led by poet and scholar Mark McMorris.
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Ward 3 | Chevy Chase Library
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Family Story Time | Wednesday, July 24, 11:30 a.m.
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. Ticket required, on a first come first serve basis.
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Ward 4 | Petworth Library
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Youth Chess & Other Games | Thursday, July 25, 4 p.m.
Practice your chess play or learn how to play from scratch with a no-stress chess version of the game.
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Ward 5 | Lamond-Riggs/Lillian J. Huff Library
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Summer Fun with Phonics | Tuesday, July 23, 4:15 p.m.
Strengthen decoding skills through a weekly phonics based activity time. This program is intended for developing readers age 5-8 and their engaged caregivers.
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Ward 6 | Northwest One Library
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Rise and Rock: The Story of a Poet and Teller | Thursday, July 25, 3:30 p.m.
In this interactive show, discover how two distinct nationally renowned artists found their path and rocked their career as a professional storyteller and world-renowned poet.
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Ward 7 | Deanwood Library
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Making Shapes, Dancing Shapes! | Tuesday, July 23, 10:30 a.m.
Come enjoy singing and dancing together! Adults and children will work together to learn to create basic shapes through movement, while participating in a story about “Tommy the Triangle.”
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Ward 8 | Anacostia Library
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Stop, Shop and Go! | Thursday, July 25, 1:30 p.m.
Join Stop, Shop n Go! A six week Career Clinic presented by April Robinson, a Talent Development Consultant.
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Central Library | Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library
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Disability Pride Comedy Night | Thursday, July 25, 7 p.m.
Celebrate and laugh with us for our annual Disability Pride Comedy Night, now in it's 3rd year of highlighting funny people with disabilities! Please note: This event may contain mature language and is for Adults.
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Find all upcoming programs in your library or online on our calendar!
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 Navigate the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library with Goodmaps! Goodmaps Explore is a free assistive app designed to help the visually impaired navigate indoor spaces independently.
The Goodmaps Explore app operates similarly to outdoor GPS systems like Google Maps. However, it specializes in indoor navigation, providing turn-by-turn directions via audio or on-screen text. This simple and intuitive app can provide a list of points of interest (POIs), narrate what is nearby, and give detailed routing assistance. The Goodmaps app can guide visitors to a study room on the third floor, the event space on the fifth floor, and even to a permanent exhibit on the fourth floor where the app will describe D.C.'s incredible history. While this assistive technology primarily helps those with low vision or who are blind, anyone can use it.
Download Goodmaps Explore on the App Store or Google Play. (Please note that there are two Goodmaps apps. To access navigation for the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library please download GoodMaps Explore.)
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 This back to school season, DC Public Library partners are showing up for all our learners! Start the new school year off right by attending these upcoming events and get ready for another successful year.
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Up Next with The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD)
Tuesday, July 23, noon - 5 p.m. | Anacostia Library
Join DC Public Library and MPD for their yearly Up Next (formerly known as Beat the Streets) community festival! This year’s festival will take place on Tuesday, July 23 from noon - 5 p.m. at the Anacostia Library. Help strengthen community ties and promote safety in your neighborhood while enjoying sounds from local Go-Go band, High Quality Band as well as as well as free legal help for DC residents, book bag givaways, double dutch workshops and more! Additionally, hear from local resource partners and other community based organizations ahead of another school year. Featured organizations include:
- MedStar
- Department of Behavioral Health
- Pepco
- Reach Out and Read
- Community College Prep Academy
- DC Retro Jumpers Double Dutch Group
- DC College Savings Plan
- And more!
For more Back to School resources from DC Public Library, visit our website!
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No Cost Eye Exams at the Library
Various Locations and Dates
Vision to Learn is excited to partner with the library to offer no cost eye exams for kids ahead of the school year! Eye exams are available to children ages 3-18 and will be 20-30 minutes long. All children under 17 must be accompanied by an adult.
Pre-registration is required. Please arrive 10 min before your appointment to fill out paperwork. Please expect that the wait time may be up to 1 hour. If applicable, vision services provided will be billed to your child’s Medicaid benefits. There will be no out-of-pocket cost.
You can contact us at 703-843-0309 or washingtondc@visiontolearn.org with questions.
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