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Celebrate Older Americans Month with DC Public Library
Each May, the Administration for Community Living invites the nation to recognize Older Americans Month—and this year’s theme, Champion Your Health, is all about embracing wellness, connection, and lifelong learning. DC Public Library is proud to support aging adults with resources that make healthy, engaged living easier and more joyful every day.
This May—and all year long—DC Public Library celebrates older adults as vital, vibrant members of our community. Visit our website to explore programs, services, and resources that help you age gracefully, stay engaged, and champion your health.
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 DC Public Library is excited to launch COMICTROPOLIS, a brand‑new conversation series for teens that brings the world of comic book creation to life. Led by native Washingtonian and acclaimed writer David Betancourt (The Athletic/New York Times; formerly The Washington Post; Marvel Entertainment), COMICTROPOLIS invites young fans into insider discussions with some of the industry’s most creative voices. Together, Betancourt and his guests will explore what it’s like to write for iconic universes like Marvel and DC Comics, how popular characters are shaped behind the scenes, and what it means to build original, creator‑owned worlds from the ground up. Upcoming COMICTROPOLIS events include:
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La Borinqueña Rises - An Afternoon with Edgardo Miranda-Rodriguez | Saturday, May 23 at 2 p.m., MLK Library
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From the Boondocks to a Galaxy Far Far Away - An Afternoon with Rodney Barnes | Sunday, May 31 at 2 p.m., MLK Library
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Miles Morales and Me - How a D.C. Kid Ended Up Writing Miles Morales | Saturday, June 13 at 2 p.m., Southwest Library
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Between the Comic to the Controller - In conversation with Stephanie Williams & Evan Narcisse | Saturday, June 20 at 2 p.m., West End Library
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The Comic That Became the Supergirl Movie - An Afternoon with Tom King | Sunday, July 12 at 2 p.m., MLK Library
Want to read up beforehand?
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Explore ComicsPlus, free with your library card, for digital comics, graphic novels, and manga for all readers. Access titles using a smartphone, tablet, or web browser. There is never a wait to read, all titles are unlimited access simultaneous use. |
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Find Your Story returns to the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library on Saturday, May 30 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., inviting writers and readers alike to celebrate the art of short-form storytelling. This annual day-long gathering shines a spotlight on DC’s vibrant writing community through workshops, presentations, and author conversations. This year Find Your Story centers writing that’s “short and sweet,” - think poems, essays, flash fiction, monostichs, and even recipes-as-narrative. Whether you’re curious about crafting a one-line poem, building a podcast, shaping a TED-style talk, or uncovering the narrative hidden inside a classified ad, the morning’s sessions offer hands-on opportunities to spark creativity.
The afternoon brings a lineup of dynamic literary voices, beginning with a keynote from memoirist and master storyteller Phill Branch, followed by a conversation with PEN/Faulkner Award for Fiction winner Mahreen Sohail on crafting short story collections. The day concludes with Essential Essex Hemphill, a celebration of the iconic DC poet’s legacy featuring Gregory Adams, Regie Cabico, Michele Parkerson, and Dan Vera. Whether you attend one session or stay for the whole day, Find Your Story offers an open invitation to write in community and discover the power of small but mighty stories.
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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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Raíces: A Writing Workshop Series on Resistance and Healing “La Cosecha Showcase” | Sunday, May 17, 2 p.m.
This workshop will explore the importance of performance as resistance. Participants will reflect on their own written work and create a plan to read their texts in public. The workshop will culminate in a showcase where participants will present their written work out loud.
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Ward 2 | West End Library
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DC Board of Elections Ranked Choice Voting Townhall | Thursday, May 14, 4 p.m.
Join the DC Board of Elections for a community townhall to learn about ranked choice voting and prepare for the upcoming elections.
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Ward 3 | Tenley-Friendship Library
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Zumba Gold | Monday, May 18, 10 a.m.
Zumba Gold with Ruth will be taught in the form of instructional teaching and demonstration, using a series of full body, low intensity movement and stretching exercises.
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Ward 4 | Takoma Park Library
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Inklings New Fantasy Book Club | Thursday, May 14, 6:30 p.m.
Named in honor of the originator of the genre - J.R.R. Tolkien’s own fantasy book club - we will meet in-person to discuss the works of current fantasy authors, with a focus on authors who use the freedom of the fantasy genre to subvert institutional and cultural norms.
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Ward 5 | Woodridge Library
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Beyond the Book with The Washington Ballet | Wednesday, May 13, 11 a.m.
The Washington Ballet will lead an interactive dance class that explores storytelling through movement. The movement will be inspired by the latest Beyond the Book, Blue Sky Morning by Kim Jihyun.
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Ward 6 | Northeast Library
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Yarn Lovers Knitting Club | Monday, May 18, 6:30 p.m.
You bring your needles, yarn, and mug. We'll supply the space, the tea, and the vibes!
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Ward 7 | Capitol View Library
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Color My World | Monday, May 18, 3:30 p.m.
Children and teens are invited unwind with feature coloring at the Capitol View Library. Kick back on the 2nd floor and dive into a new story!
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Ward 8 | Parklands-Turner Library
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Maker Lab: Kite Making | Monday, May 18, 3:30 p.m.
Let your imagination soar! Use fabric markers to design your own playful, one‑of‑a‑kind kite perfect for catching a breezy day.
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Central Library | Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library
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Healthy Relationships for Teens | Friday, May 15, 3 p.m.
Join Amara Legal Center and the DC Public Library for an education session on healthy relationships, consent, and boundaries. For teens aged 13 - 19. The event will be located at the Alma Thomas Teen Space at MLK Library.
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Find all upcoming programs in your library or online on our calendar!
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The Shaw/Watha T. Daniel Library will be closed for renovation starting Monday, May 18. 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;
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The Upper Floor will include expanded teen space and enhanced adult reading and study areas;
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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 on Sunday, May 17.
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 from left: Khin, Daze | Neon Isolation, 2024; Alanna Fields, Close Your Eyes and Remember, 2021; Cheryl Edwards, Presence, 2025
The DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) is now hiring for hundreds of summer positions.
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Work at a Pool | With the DPR Aquatics Division, you could be a Lifeguard, Pool Operator, or Customer Service Representative. Not qualified to be a lifeguard? DPR will train you to be a lifeguard - for FREE!
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Engage Youth in the District | Become a Roving Leader to engage kids ages 3-12 in fun activities, Mentor teen participants in the Marion Barry Summer Youth Employment Program (MBSYEP) or Help lead fun camps with a strong educational component.
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Work at a Summer Camp | Instruct campers in theme-base curriculum, arts and crafts activities and structured games and sports!
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Support Summer Operations | Help make the events happen by moving and setting up, support the opening and closing of parts, manage administrative tasks associated with summer camp, or help make sure kids throughout the District receive the nutrition they need to learn, play and grow.
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Work at DPR’s Overnight Camp | Camp Riverview is DPR's 200-acre waterfront camp in Southern Maryland which hosts a residential camp for DC youth ages 8-13 over the summer. All positions at Camp Riverview require a full-week, overnight commitment each session. Living in cabins, leading activities and more from wake-up to lights-out.
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