Watha T. Daniel/Shaw Library Opened Aug. 2, 2010

Exterior of Shaw LibraryThe new Watha T. Daniel/Shaw Library opened Monday, August 2, 2010.

Mayor Adrian Fenty, Council Chair Vincent Gray, Ward 2 Councilman Jack Evans, Councilman Harry Thomas, chair of committee on libraries, parks and recreation and Councilman Jim Graham joined Chief Librarian Ginnie Cooper and residents of the Shaw community for a ribbon cutting celebration. Check out pictures.



 
 Mayor Cuts Ribbon   
C.M. Thomas speaking, with Ginnie Cooper standing byBoy pointing

The new three-level library is approximately 22,000 square feet and features a flexible design to provide inviting spaces for all.

It includes:

  • Separate reading areas for adults, teens and children
  • Children’s program room
  • 40,000 books, DVDs, CDs and other library materials; designed for 80,000 items
  • 32 public access computers with free Wi-Fi Internet access
  • 8 Mac computers in the teen space 
  • Comfortable seating for 200 customers
  • Large program room for up to 100 people
  • Two 12-person conference rooms  
  • Vending area

The new library was designed by the architecture firm of Davis Brody Bond Aedas.

Community Input

As part of the design process, the library hosted a series of Community Design Meetings to seek input from residents. The community also participated in the selection of the architectural team.