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    Watha T Daniel-Shaw Library

    3.7 (29 reviews)
    Open 10:00 am - 6:00 pm

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    young adult area
    Christopher L.

    This library has all the necessities! The first level is all children's and holds while the second level has the fiction, non-fiction, YA area, computers + free printing! There are also first come first serve study rooms and conference rooms. I go to this Shaw very often for printing, and the librarians are very kind and accommodating. Right next to the Shaw Metro, making this library very convenient.

    Tara R.

    Biggest perk is the free printing for DC residents. 20 pages per week! Print at any DC location.

    HP refreshments: butterbeer, chocolate frogs, and golden snitches! I just love how enthusiastic the librarian got on this one :)
    Kera T.

    Attended a great Harry Potter lecture in the library's basement last night. The library's receptionist/greeter was very polite and the hosting librarian was friendly and energetic. A newbie to the world of HP, the guest scholar was a speaker from GW and I loved the discussion that ensued after the presentation. The session was just an overall feel good, something fun to do in the city on a bright Monday evening while enjoying free Harry Potter themed refreshments amid the hustle and bustle of the library's routine activities. I'll definitely be back to check out the book/media offerings. I don't want to deduct a full star but I did note a very strong, very unpleasant odor right outside of the room where the event was held, I guess with small children running around accidents are bound to happen but holy watering eyes Batman :-X

    DVD selection
    Juliet A.

    I love, love, love Shaw library. It is recently renovated and feels clean, bright, and inviting. It is certainly on the smaller side, but it is packed with resources without feeling cramped. The main floor is dominated by an impressive DVD collection and the children's library (bonus: kid's bathroom, too!). There are computers for little ones to play on, miniature tables, and a few floor toys for babies. You can curl up with your little one in a cozy nook on the floor, or a table. Lots of windows and natural light make this space bright and airy. At the back, there is a smaller room, separated by a glass wall, where children's events take place. During the week and weekend, there are activities to satisfy all ages. Our favorites: Tuesday's Rhythm and Rhyme, Friday's story time, and Saturday's all-ages family story time. For the most part, the children's librarians are great. Lots of energy, very good with kids, and clearly enjoy their work. The classes are 30 minutes in length, and many of them fill up quickly, so it is best to come a few minutes before the start in case it is a "ticketed" event (check the DC public library website for more information on the different classes). Upstairs, you'll find both fiction and non-fiction selections, and a few private study or work rooms. There are also several of those downstairs on the lower level (where the main bathrooms are).

    the neon sculpture by Craig Kraft outside the Watha T Daniel library in Shaw

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    Watha T Daniel-Shaw Library Reviews in Other Languages

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    Library of Congress - Well attended Thursday happy hour

    Library of Congress

    4.7(607 reviews)
    2.0 miCapitol Hill

    Library of Congress -- A Living Monument to History…read more Few buildings in Washington, D.C. carry the weight of history as effortlessly as the Library of Congress. It is not merely a repository of books, but a living archive of the American story--one that reveals itself the moment you step inside. For visitors to the nation's capital, this is not optional--it is essential. The current exhibition, The Two Georges: Parallel Lives in an Age of Revolution, is particularly compelling. Through the intertwined narratives of George Washington and King George III, the exhibit captures a world on the brink--an undeclared nation edging toward war, a fragile cause facing overwhelming odds, and ultimately, the improbable path to independence. What makes this exhibition stand out is not just its historical scope, but its perspective. It does not present history as a foregone conclusion, but as a series of uncertain, high-stakes decisions made in real time. That tension--between inevitability and risk--is where the story comes alive. Accessible, visually engaging, and intellectually rewarding, this is an experience that resonates across generations. If you find yourself in Washington, make the time. Some places inform you. This one reminds you why the story matters.

    I have only visited the Library of Congress at a personal level a couple of times. Other visits…read morewere due to events/meetings there. If you are visiting D.C., I cannot stress the importance of a stop here. To this day, it remains the largest library in the world. Pretty impressive. It's also the oldest federal cultural institution. Periodicals, books, etc. available in over 470 languages. More than 178 million pieces of articles from manuscripts, recordings, photos, printed materials, to books and so on. Library acts as a source of research for Members of Congress and handles copyright laws. This building and all its components are an important part of our nation's history.

    Photos
    Library of Congress - 3/21/2019

    3/21/2019

    Library of Congress - Thomas Jefferson's Library

    Thomas Jefferson's Library

    Library of Congress - Library of Congress

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    Library of Congress

    Folger Shakespeare Library - Reading room

    Folger Shakespeare Library

    4.0(99 reviews)
    1.9 miCapitol Hill

    As you like it production: If you're visiting DC and want…read moreto catch a Shakespeare production in an intimate, character-filled theater, this is your place. Their production of As You Like It deserves real praise -- it was funny, engaging, creative, and performed by a very talented cast. What made it especially memorable was the modern-day, DC-inspired interpretation, which gave the play fresh energy while still honoring the spirit of Shakespeare. The cast was lively and audience-engaging in a way that made the whole experience feel immersive rather than foreign. And the theater itself? A gem. In true Shakespeare fashion, it's small and intimate, which makes every seat feel close to the action. The architecture is part of the charm -- rich wood columns, beautiful preserved details, and a space that feels historic in all the right ways. Arrive early to visit the museum. They offer a snack bar with bites and beverages, though fair warning: it's on the pricey side. Overall, a really enjoyable evening and a wonderful pick for theater lovers who appreciate strong performances and a venue with soul.

    As someone who loves the Shakespeare Library as a whole (and frequently goes there for shows) this…read moreis exclusively a rating for their afternoon tea. The tea has been lauded as amazing on instagram so when reservations went live in December, I booked our April tea before it sold out in 15 minutes. Directions to finding the room for it, are not clear. Despite what you see in social media, this is in a small room with just quite a few tables - not in their famous cafe. You are given bagged tea (not the brand listed on their menu), and your tray is brought over almost immediately upon seating. It was not explained what any of it was like traditionally is done. The food is TINY, and you barely get a single bite out of each. We didn't receive nor were we offered refills of cream or jam, despite there being four of us. We had the 3PM slot and pretty much everyone was rushed out after an hour. We spent some time just talking at our table and were the last ones there despite it not being closed. We felt very unwelcome by the time we left at 4:30. You pay $85 per person and there are WAY better teas in DC that are cheaper. I would never bring anyone here for their tea, what a disappointment.

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    Folger Shakespeare Library
    Folger Shakespeare Library - WOW

    WOW

    Folger Shakespeare Library

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    The Estelle and Melvin Gelman Library

    The Estelle and Melvin Gelman Library

    4.3(16 reviews)
    1.7 miFoggy Bottom

    First time here as a Grad student…read more Looks great inside and out. They just doubled the amount of computers here. They have a snack room where you can eat your meals and then go off to the reading and web surfing. Lots of floors. They have group study rooms that you can reserve to study in (2 people min.) Printing is 7 cents per page for black and white. The lighting is great and it generally very quiet and provides you with a great place to study. Oh yea, open 24 hours and 7 days a week during the semester!! (except for major holidays!)

    The location and hours can't be beat, since it's the only university library that's practically in…read moredowntown DC and boasts 24-hour coffee downstairs. The collection's pretty extensive; I'd say that of the book searches I've done, they have about 70% of what I've needed. The reading rooms can get overcrowded during the school year, and often with students who are working in groups or goofing off. There's a fine line between having a pleasant background buzz and getting distracted by the conversation two tables over, and the latter is too often the case here. The quiet study rooms have widely disregarded "no laptop" signs and few power outlets. That said, crowding should improve once construction is complete. You will need a university ID card to enter; most large universities nationally are members of ARL, and most local universities are members of CIRLA or WRLC. Accessing any of the computers, even for a catalog search, requires signing up at the circulation desk for a temporary network ID (the Starbucks wi-fi works fine in its vicinity), and non-GW users have to leave at midnight.

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    The Estelle and Melvin Gelman Library - Xmas decorations

    Xmas decorations

    The Estelle and Melvin Gelman Library
    The Estelle and Melvin Gelman Library

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    West End Neighborhood Library - Computer area.

    West End Neighborhood Library

    3.2(36 reviews)
    1.6 miWest End

    This is an excellent, new, clean, and well organized library in West End. There is a lot of seating…read moreand reading spaces, but it smells foul in some areas because some of the patrons are homeless hanging out/sleeping inside. The service desk employee was friendly and knowledgeable and got me signed up for a new DC Library Card quickly. I love that the library is delivery connected to the Bluestone Lane (cafe/sandwich/breakfast spot).

    Agree with the rest of the reviews mentioning the population that tends to hang out here. It…read moredoesn't feel safe or feasible to stay in the library for any prolonged amount of time given the disruptive and sometimes aggressive behavior. If you're a smaller person or look less able to defend yourself, you might not feel safe hanging out in here. Also, if you're smell sensitive, forget it. I really don't mean to sound callous, but a public library is supposed to be for everyone. At times for this library there's really only one kind of community member that seems to feel comfortable hanging around. I don't think this is an acceptable state of things when our tax dollars fund public libraries. I wouldn't take kids here either. I strongly urge the leadership to do something about this problem that many people have now noted. The public library isn't a homeless shelter. Allowing it to turn into one will not fix the systemic issues that lead to homelessness and a lack of shelter space. It simply prevents others from using this public resource as intended. If y'all can call security on a Black teenager that was trying to study in the Children's section and bothering no one, surely you can call security to remove disruptive homeless people.

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    West End Neighborhood Library - Plenty of single and group seating options.

    Plenty of single and group seating options.

    West End Neighborhood Library
    West End Neighborhood Library

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    Northeast Neighborhood Library

    Northeast Neighborhood Library

    4.4(16 reviews)
    1.9 miCapitol Hill

    The Northeast DC Library has such a special place in my heart. When I first moved to DC nearly 10…read moreyears ago, I lived two blocks away. I was funemployed for a few months and would stroll over, eat a bagel sandwich from the nearby Jacob's Coffee House, eat it at the outdoor tables under the beautiful trees, then head inside the library to explore books, magazines, and more. I'm a library person through and through so admittedly I love any library, but this one is truly a gem and so important to the neighborhood. I know that it is the fourth-oldest branch in DC and was fully renovated in 2014. There are several levels. The top floor is children and teen books and features board books, all sizes of tables for all sizes of humans, and some toys. Story time happens up there. It is nice that floor is separate so the families with young kids can feel more at ease. The main floor has, in addition to books, magazines, an area to pick up your reserve holds, lots of places to sit (the main reading room), and more. There is a half-floor between the main and upper floor featuring meeting rooms. I believe there is also a large meeting room in the basement that is used for events. And, a general note about DCPL! If you have a card, be sure that you also download the app. You can scan your barcode for self-checkout in person, and manage your library account easily from there. Accessibility: There is a ramp outside, on the right side, near the patio, and there are working elevators inside. So much love for this library. It is cozy, charming, and feels timeless. It will always be there for me, and for you.

    As libraries go this one is so enchanting. I love the building... the ambiance .... It's…read morenostalgic! And oddly beautiful.

    Photos
    Northeast Neighborhood Library
    Northeast Neighborhood Library
    Northeast Neighborhood Library

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    Watha T Daniel-Shaw Library - libraries - Updated May 2026

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