Food Trucks come to MLK Library
Published on Friday, August 3, 2012
(August 3, 2012) – Every Wednesday at 11 a.m. starting Aug. 8 for a limited time, food trucks will be parked outside of the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, 901 G Street NW, as part of the Books & Bites @ the Library initiative. People can grab lunch at the food trucks, relax at special seating just outside of the library and enjoy the library’s free WiFi and other services. Each week will feature different D.C. Food Truck Association food trucks.
“During the lunchtime, the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library bustles with people who stop by to pick up books before rushing to get lunch,” said Ginnie Cooper, chief librarian for the DC Public Library. “Books and Bites makes the library a place where people can pick up a good book and good food.”
New Library to Open in September
Published on Friday, July 20, 2012
The Mt. Pleasant Interim Library, located at 3162 Mount Pleasant St. NW, will close Saturday, August 18. The renovated and expanded Mt. Pleasant Library at 3160 16th St. NW will open Wednesday, September 12.
The Mt. Pleasant Library is 22,000 square feet and features:
- More than 40,000 books, DVDs and other items with space to hold up to 80,000
- Separate reading areas for adults, teens and children
- Public access computers and free Wi-Fi Internet access
- Comfortable seating for 200 customers
- A large program room for up to 100 people and two 12-person conference rooms
- Quiet study rooms for up to two people
During the move, Library customers can return books to any DC Public Library. Holds can be picked up from the Watha T. Daniel/Shaw Library, located at 1630 7th St. NW.
Published on Monday, July 9, 2012
Chris Tonjes, the Library's Chief Information Officer, has been named the new Chief Information Officer for the city of Baltimore, MD.
“While we are sad to see Chris go, we are excited for the opportunity that he has in Baltimore," said Ginnie Cooper, Chief Librarian for the District of Columbia. “Chris has been the backbone for the Library's work to close the digital divide in the District and has helped make the Library an innovator with technology. We will always be grateful for his work and his leadership."
Published on Thursday, July 5, 2012
The DC Public Library is participating in the District's Free Summer Meals Program (FSMP). Eleven libraries will serve lunch from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Mondays through Fridays to children and teens 18 and younger.
Identification is not required.
The program runs through Aug. 10 at the following locations:
Anacostia Neighborhood Library
1800 Good Hope Road, SE
Dorothy I. Height/Benning Neighborhood Library
3935 Benning Road, NE
Capitol View Neighborhood Library
5001 Central Avenue, SE
Francis A. Gregory Neighborhood Library
3660 Alabama Ave., SE
Juanita E. Thornton/Shepherd Park Neighborhood Library
7420 Georgia Ave., NW
Lamond Riggs Neighborhood Library
5401 S. Dakota Ave., NE
Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library
901 G St., NW
Published on Monday, June 25, 2012
Two DC Public Library capitol projects were honored at the Ninth Annual Awards for Excellence in Historic Preservation.
The awards, presented by Mayor Vincent C. Gray and the DC Office of Planning’s Historic Preservation Office on June 21, included a Stewardship award for the Georgetown library. The Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library Design Guidelines received a Publication award.
“The Library is pleased to receive these honors,” said Ginnie Cooper, chief librarian for the District of Columbia. “The Georgetown and Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial libraries are loved and valued by the District. We take great pride in ensuring that our work improves the buildings while respecting their history.”
Published on Tuesday, June 19, 2012
June 19, 2012 – Monday evening, the DC Public Library Foundation hosted a sneak peek event at the New Francis Gregory Library to thank library supporters and to encourage others to support their library.
Hosted by Mayor Vincent C. Gray and DC Public Library Board of Trustees chairman John W. Hill, more than 100 attendees marveled at the new building, designed by world-renowned architect David Adjaye, the night before it opened to the public.
"The DC Public Library has quickly become one of the most forward-thinking systems in the country," Mayor Gray said. "Just as the staff and library board should be applauded, those who support the library system also deserve praise. Their commitment to the library has helped it achieve its success."
Chief Librarian Ginnie Cooper said that the Foundation has been key to the Library’s progress.
Facility Offers 40,000 Books & Other Materials, Inviting Places for Reading and Meeting
Published on Tuesday, June 19, 2012
June 19, 2012 – Just as students are getting out of school for the summer and the D.C. Public Library’s summer reading program swings into full gear, Mayor Vincent C. Gray, Chief Librarian Ginnie Cooper and world-renowned British architect David Adjaye today opened the brand-new Francis A. Gregory Neighborhood Library. The cutting-edge design offers residents of Hillcrest, Randle Highlands, Fairfax Village and other parts of Southeast D.C. an inviting new space in which to take advantage of the books and other materials, Internet access and multiple community gathering spaces the facility offers.
Published on Friday, June 15, 2012
June 15, 2012 -- From 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, June 17, dclibrary.org and related sites (including the catalog and Overdrive) will be down for scheduled maintenance. The iPhone, Android and Facebook applications will also be inaccessible.
We apologize for any inconvenience.
Building Is First Library in North America Designed by Renowned British Architect David Adjaye
Published on Thursday, June 14, 2012
June 13, 2012 – Today, DC Public Library (DCPL) Chief Librarian Ginnie Cooper, world-famous architect David Adjaye and District residents joined Mayor Vincent C. Gray to cut the ribbon on the William O. Lockridge/Bellevue library.
The library is the first in North America to be designed by Adjaye, whose designs in the United Kingdom helped change how the public viewed and used libraries. This library design challenges the traditional idea of the library by arranging the space to encourage social interaction and maximizing natural light sources.
As the school year nears its end in the District, city leaders hoped that the new library will help get more children focused on reading this summer.
Published on Tuesday, May 29, 2012
May 29, 2012 – On May 16, D.C. lost a music icon: Chuck Brown. As the city prepares to say goodbye to the Godfather of Go-Go, Mayor Vincent C. Gray and the D.C. Public Library are asking for the public’s help in creating an archive honoring the artist.
“Chuck Brown captured the hearts and rhythm of District residents for over 30 years,” Mayor Gray said. “As you look over old pictures, performances and old newspapers, consider donating them to the Library so that the District can preserve Chuck’s musical legacy for generations to come.”
“Like John Philip Sousa and Duke Ellington, Chuck Brown's genius and contribution to the District deserves to be honored,” said D.C. Chief Librarian Ginnie Cooper. “This archive will tell his story, the story of Go-Go and the impact both had on American music.”
