I love old worldly charm libraries. This is one of them. My friend Shazia and I got a bit lost trying to find Dumbarton Oaks and decided to step inside here. In us being lost, we found this gem. If I lived in DC this would be my go to library. The librarians are nice and helpful. I have seen other libraries where they do not even want to help you try to find a book. Here they were giving us directions plus providing us information of this library. I really like the way the library is set up. It would be a good place to read, research and study etc. They have cute stairs to lead to the second floor however we didn't get to go there. They only have parallel street parking however, being two hours people were moving their cars etc and we were able to find parking for it being a Saturday. If you are looking for a good place to read or just do your work in peace, this is the place.~ read more

Georgetown Public Library - So DC - Libraries Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

See all

Georgetown Public Library is one of the best libraries in Washington, D.C. First of all, it's on Book Hill overlooking Georgetown (and Rosslyn's skyline across the Potomac River) in a beautiful, regal brick building. It's several levels full of books, magazines, and reading rooms. The basement has a large kids section with programming for kids- story time, art time, etc. The staff are friendly and the library is clean! read more

See all

Went here on January 13, 2024 around 10 AM. There was a man struggling with mental health problems sitting at a table speaking to himself the entire time I was there. He was saying expletives like the f word, the n word, and several more. At one point he started to become aggressive in his speech and was talking about hurting / killing people. There was no staff walking around the library to make sure everyone was behaving themselves. I am a grown man and I did not feel entirely safe. I definitely would not bring kids here to sit at tables and work for prolonged periods of time. I'm sure this is a routine occurrence at this library. Wanted to come here to study for an hour or two but ended up having to leave. Won't be coming back read more

Seeing more public libraries in the world has improved my opinion of Georgetown's. It strikes a balance between being a nice-looking historic stone building and having working air conditioning, wifi, and bathrooms. The seating isn't that comfortable, which I suspect is by design. It is prominently located, and a good spot to stop and recharge, both one's phone batteries and any other metaphorical batteries that need recharging. read more

I used to come here all the time growing up in DC. Sometimes I would go to the Children's story/film hour while my parents shopped at Safeway nearby. I have come back several times on my visits to DC to see the renovation following the fire. It feels even cozier and more friendly than it used to now. if I lived in DC I would definitely use this library. read more

Unlike other DC libraries, there is a scarcity here of bums and eccentrics, those special people who make the library interesting. Last time I was here it was nothing but attractive young Georgetown coeds...BORING. Instead of the pungent body odor of homeless library-men, all I smelled was Dolce & Gabana perfume...ok, so it wasn't that bad. I was sitting in a pleasing, high-ceilinged reading room with sunny windows facing to the south and all of Georgetown below...this place is built on a hill with a terrific little park outside and a vista of the city. Anyway, as I was reading a Rolling Stone interview with Snoop Dogg, not a single emphesymic cough nor schizoid monologue issued forth...then I walked outside, and that's where I found all the usual suspects, on smoke break, unrolling their sleeping bags on the lawn and enjoying the sunny day. Really this is a nice, nice library, and a good place to get work done...it's just in an out of the way place, and you have to climb a hill to get there. But it's worth the effort. read more

This is about as nice as a public library gets. I was at a presentation where a senior DC Library executive said something to the effect of, "I know I'm not supposed to cheer when giant fires burn down our buildings, but without that insurance settlement we wouldn't have been able to put that kind of money into building something in Georgetown." The library crowns a high hill with a magnificent view over the river. Inside, it's as stately as you'd expect of the neighborhood. Super-special bonus: it's the only branch library I've seen that has semi-private cubes (upstairs) for individual reading. The collection is, well, what you'd expect of a public library branch, although there's also a special collection of local history. Hours are also standard, but DCPL is extending hours systemwide starting in October 2013. read more

What a cool place! While out walking in Georgetown last week I decided to stop in. Wonderful people working there and I felt safe. Many libraries have become the day time hangout for transients and that's a bit scary for me. None of that here. It felt reverent,safe and exactly what a library should be -full of books and resources. Terrific magazine selection. read more

A cute library with old charm. -- Children's music and story hour is Thursday at 2pm weekly. -- The Peabody Room which holds some historical Georgetown significance is open Monday and Wednesdays only with select hours and one Saturday a month. -- The library has 3 stories with the 2nd and 1st story being open to the general public daily. -- Parking is limited. You will result to street parking more than parking lot parking. -- They have a designated computer area with newer computers to be used at your disposal. read more

Beautiful interior and park right outside. You need to bring a cushion for the chairs, which are not padded. There is the lovely Book Hill right outside. You could go to Simply Banh Mi, buy a sandwich, and come eat it on this hill. Then go inside for a day of reading! read more

The best library in dc The wifi is working and good Quit library read more

Reeks of mold and piss and the chairs all have disheveled people sleeping in them. $20 library card req for computer access if you're out of state. Vile. read more

Great location and good people that knows their resources but a librarian at the bottom floor gives out such a negative attitude towards visitors asking for help. If you didn't know, the bottom floor is where the children's section of the library is. I don't know what they would put such a negative vibes person in that floor. I visit the library about 3times a week and its the same attitude that i receive every time i come down to study by the conference room. read more

I studied here all summer and it's such a beautiful space! The book collection is amazing, and the staff is super friendly.

The best service a library can do for its patrons is to inspire them to read. The new Georgetown Public Library accomplishes this and then some. After my visit I suddenly felt the urge, not only to sit down and read a book cover-to-cover, but to run home, grab my laptop and return to churn out what would undoubtedly be a magnificent piece of research or a ground-breaking article (not that I've written anything remotely researched-related since college). The beautiful new reading rooms, with classic architecture, grand wooden desks and huge windows, are more reminiscent of a stately university than a public library. The library was renovated in a traditional Georgetown style -- fitting in perfectly with the dignified homes and centuries-old brick sidewalks adjacent to it. The lower level holds a sunny children's room. The librarian told me how the basement room used to be dark and windowless, but following the renovation, it was altered to include large windows which allow bright sunlight to flow in on the colorful landscape. Behind the library is a hidden gem - Book Hill Park. This park is tiny but offers a number of benches for readers or those simply wanting to enjoy the view (all of Georgetown and Wisconsin avenue is below you, along with views of the Potomac and Rosslyn). The one drawback of this library is the size of its selection. If you're looking for something in particular, I'd recommend using the online catalog ahead of time, since library's book and media collection is essentially contained in the two reading rooms on the main floor, with the children's collection taking up the bottom floor. If you're not picky about what you're looking for though, or if you're just in search of a quiet, inviting workspace, then this is definitely a wonderful option. read more

It's a small library with limited selections, but it is also very quiet and as a more... how should I say it... 'Georgetown class of people'? I think this place was just redone a few years ago and it still seems pretty new and clean. I wish they had more space to lounge about and read, but what they do have is pretty nice. read more

What an amazing library, I was pleasantly surprised. The library sits atop a hill that overlooks Arlington which is a great spot to have a sandwich from one of the nearby restaurants when taking a break from reading. There are plenty of good coffee shops nearby as well, Dolcezza being one of them if you need some fuel to keep going. As for the library itself, there are really nice reading rooms with comfortable chairs for you to sink in and read. There are nice tables and chairs to write on or work on your laptop. There are plenty of computers as well. The interior of the library is just fantastic, it looks so nice I want to just take pictures whenever I go there. The staff are always helpful and pleasant. There's several floors, the bottom floor has children's books and the highest has some artifacts which I haven't had the chance to look at yet. This is my favorite library. read more

Great neighborhood amenity with a variety of places to study ranging from private rooms to expansive desks. The facility is beautifully restored and the adjacent Book Hill Park provides wonderful outdoor space, as well as a short glute workout if you walk up from Wisconsin. Everyone who works here is extremely helpful. Personally I only use my DC library card for electronic materials, but there seems to a wide variety of books available as well. I'm a little surprised that many of the reviews here cite the limited number of transients and other characters who use it as a day time hangout. I find that on most occasions there are a significant number such individuals on the computers upstairs or sleeping in the chairs near the books. While not a deterrent to using the facilities, its certainly the reason for the lost star. read more

Very friendly and clean library! Beautiful inside with clean bathrooms and welcoming staff. We didn't have a library card, but needed to print our boarding passes before heading to the airport and the woman working upstairs was so nice and explained exactly how we could do that. Only costs 15 cents per page which was really nice. Everyone was very helpful and friendly here and the building was very clean and beautiful. A nice stopping point before leaving DC! Some nice benches outside and lots of information in the doorway. read more

This is one of my favorite libraries in the world. It is large, but not so large that I feel overwhelmed. Everyone is so friendly and nice. It may have been they thought I was a tourist by the way I was looking at the inside. The outside looks like an old fashioned building but the inside is completely modern. read more

Nice library and mostly friendly staff. The computer area could be a bit more private as six people are in a row and can look at one is typing. When I go there, some of the users just stare at what I am typing. Not really cool. Besides that, very charming library. read more

A true gem library located in a very charming location next to a lovely park. Once in, I immediately loved the place, which felt spacious, clean, and very peaceful. While not in my neighborhood, I shall find excuses to go and visit and would encourage others to do so. Won't regret it if you're a fan of charming libraries! read more

Not much space to sit and chill. Isn't that the point of libraries? The kids section is about half the size of the place and therefore lots of loud toddlers. I'm glad I brought my headphones otherwise I wouldn't have gotten any work done. It felt messy and dirty too- stains on the floor and ok furniture. Nice staff but too small and noisy to be worth more than 2 stars. Hopefully they'll make some improvements! read more

I visited this library for the first time recently and was pleasantly surprised. It is expansive (3 floors), quiet, clean, and tastefully decorated. Although I did not utilize them, there seemed to be plenty of seating for reading as well as computers to use. On this particular visit, my boyfriend and I perused the DVD selection in search of some movies and found it to be very unique, having some titles which would not be found even in libraries with a larger selection. The woman at the desk who helped us to check out the items was very pleasant and helpful, explaining all of the library policies to us since she knew it was our first visit. read more

A really nice, newly built library with a pleasant atmosphere. Spacious tables have outlets and the upper floor has a nice view. Definitely recommend it as a quiet place to read/study. read more

Great library! One thing though... what is the deal with the website? There are so many great facilities in this library, and all of the other libraries across the district, but the websites are all the same. I may be being a bit nitpicky, but I think DCPL can do a much better job with their online presence and information. read more