National Library Week is April 19–25, 2026, and this year’s theme — Find Your Joy — is all about celebrating the moments, memories and discoveries that make the library special to you. Maybe it’s the thrill of finding a new favorite book, the comfort of a familiar reading nook or the energy of a great community event. Whatever sparks your library joy, we’d love for you to share it!

Stop by your neighborhood DC Public Library during National Library Week to tell us your story on one of our special I Love My Library cards — we’ll display them so the whole community can join in the celebration. You can also share what the library means to you on social media, reconnect with us at an event, or get involved by volunteering, donating or becoming a Friend of the Library. However you choose to celebrate, we can’t wait to hear what brings you joy at the library! 

This Earth Day, it’s easy being green with your library card! Your neighborhood library is full of ways to help you live more sustainably — and many of them are as simple as showing up. Keep items out of the landfill by bringing well‑loved belongings to a Fix‑It Clinic, discover reliable research on eco‑friendly products through Consumer Reports, or borrow books, tools, and resources that help you reduce your environmental footprint. You can even refresh your wardrobe the low‑waste way by attending a clothing swap instead of buying fast fashion.

No matter how you choose to celebrate, DC Public Library is here to help you take easy, meaningful steps toward a greener life. Ready to get inspired? Check out our Earth Day reading recommendations: 

On May 1 at 7 p.m., the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library is hosting a conversation you won’t want to miss. Tauheed Epps—better known as 2 Chainz—went from a teenager navigating high‑stakes choices to an artist, entrepreneur, and cultural force with a two‑decade career. Now, he’s sitting down with DJ Quicksilva to talk about the moments that shaped him, the instincts he learned to trust, and the experiences that didn’t fit neatly into a headline or a hit single.

This is a chance to hear 2 Chainz reflect on faith, failure, growth, and what he hopes to pass on to people coming up behind him. It’s real, it’s insightful, and it’s happening right here at the library. Come through, bring a friend, and catch a conversation that goes beyond what made it into the book. 

Design for the Shaw/Watha T. Daniel Library renovation is complete, and we’re excited to share what’s coming next. Stop by the library on Wednesday, May 13, from 4 – 7 p.m. to meet the design team to learn more about the planned improvements.

The renovation will refresh the entire building to create brighter, more welcoming spaces for all ages. The new design will bring in more natural light, update furniture and finishes throughout, and improve how patrons move through the library. Each floor will be transformed: 

• The Ground Floor will become a vibrant children’s area with colorful, nature‑inspired features;  
• The Upper Floor will include expanded teen space and enhanced adult reading and study areas;  
• The Lower Floor will feature upgraded meeting rooms, a refreshed display hall, and improved staff spaces.  
• The project also includes building‑wide updates, such as improved signage, renovated restrooms, better seating and study options, and upgrades to lighting, HVAC, and energy systems to ensure the library is comfortable and accessible for everyone. 

Visit the project page to learn more about the renovation and stay informed about library services during construction after the library's last day of service, Sunday, May 17.