I had driven past this library several times and today was the first time that I actually set foot inside. My plan was to go to a cafe further down Georgia Avenue and this place pooped-up again put of the corner of my eye. I need to work remotely today, and working from Starbucks has kind of run its course. I would give this public library a score of 10 out of 10 in terms of all of the things that are important when you are working remotely. It's modern and even the tables and chairs are up-to-date and comfortable. I would say this library has to have been constructed within the last ten years. It's quiet and there's no loud cafe music, which is surprising. There's a 7-11 right across the street, and this important for the most I vikis reasons. I e already been here three hours, and I will probably stay here until 6pm. I will see how the day goes and I am already thinking to make this a spot for me. read more

Watha T Daniel-Shaw Library - Libraries Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I cant say enough how Wonderful DC libraries have become. Aside from having plenty of books, newspapers and magazines, they also have DVDs, printers, Internet access, meeting/study rooms, a fantastic amount of online services like newspapers, movies, Ancestry.com, childrens area, etc. When they are not too busy being a library, they also collect voting ballots, distribute COVID tests and masks etc. This location is fantastic, steps from the Metro. And they have great hours. read more

This library is not super big but it still has all your typical library amenities: books, private study rooms, computers, and tables. The first floor had mostly children's books and the second floor has everything else. Because it's not a big place it might not be as crowded which makes reading or studying a lot more peaceful. The windows are tall so there is a lot of natural light that flows in. The one thing I'll say is that the restrooms smelled pretty badly, looked less than appealing, and you could tell they were not well taken care of. read more

Watha T Daniel-Shaw Library - Libraries Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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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. read more

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

Watha T Daniel-Shaw Library - Libraries Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

It's a nice-looking LEED certified building and it's right across the street from the Metro. It's not very big, and it is very crowded. I suspect that part of this is because it's one of the closer ones to the MLK library, which has been closed for several years now for what I can only hope is a really spectacular rebuild. Anyway, I'm guessing the traffic from there got diverted to Shaw to some extent, and in any case it was hard to even find a seat the last time I stopped in, and the one I did find had no charger outlets nearby. There's a very clear effort to make it a space for the community, including the low-income to no-income folks, but I fear this limited facility just isn't quite up to the task. read more

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 read more

Watha T Daniel-Shaw Library - HP refreshments: butterbeer, chocolate frogs, and golden snitches! I just love how enthusiastic the librarian got on this one :) - Libraries Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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). read more

Watha T Daniel-Shaw Library - DVD selection - Libraries Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

While it is true that the interim library does not have a substantial collection of books on hand, and is essentially just one large room in a temporary trailer, it is so much better than not having a library in the area at all. They were very kind, helpful, and efficient in getting me a new library card, equipping me with a dozen or so books that I had ordered on line, and sending me on my way. and it's not impossible to linger, either-- there were probably 20 people or so there, all using the many internet terminals. The interim location is even more convenient to my apartment, to boot! What is more: when I had a series of silly computer snafus with my library card, I got so frustrated that I came in here in person to try to get them all cleared up. The gentleman working here managed to cure all of my problems, eliminate my fines, and send me out in about ten minutes flat. read more

This is a decent library. There are interesting selections. You can even use laptops and computers on a visit. The staff members are friendly. The library is clean. I love visiting here. read more

This review is for the storytime program they host on Friday mornings. We are new to this city and I have been looking forward to bringing my 16-month-old to storytime at this library all week. We showed up on time, and were handed tickets to the next group without any explanation. Once I asked for more info, the girl with green hair was more than helpful and thorough, so my daughter and I waited our turn and chatted and read books with the others waiting. Then storytime began. The young woman reading/singing/leading was visibly going through the motions. When she was a few pages into a boring book, the kids all became restless and started to mill about the room, including my daughter. When my little girl made her way over the the table of of books on display, she picked one up and turned around to show it to me. At this point, the woman leading the group stopped reading, wrenched the book out of y little girls hands and very loudly began to scold the room and lecture parents about how the right thing to do when your child starts to grab things, is to come up and stop them. I was incredibly embarrassed and my little girl was frightened. She is 16 months old, for crying out loud and if she sees books, she is curious, as she should be. Needless to say, we left immediately and will not be returning. read more

I had a Skype interview on a Monday, and I needed a quiet place with wifi to talk freely. I didn't have a private place to go because I was just visiting for the weekend, and I was taking the bus back home Monday night. I saw on the DC public library website that you can make reservations for a study room. I called Watha T. Daniel-Show Library to make a reservation. Although all reservations must be made online, the person at the front desk made accommodations for me because I was visiting for the weekend. When I arrived at the library, the person at the front desk, who I assumed answered my phone call, remembered who I was. He told me good luck and showed me where the room was. He was super friendly, and I appreciate all his help! read more

Hey I'm writing the first review! I discovered the Shaw library when my wifi went haywire and I needed to get online stat. Its a total find. There are study rooms you can reserve but I prefer working at the table in the back of the children's room when it's quiet (early afternoon). The children's librarian down there (brown hair, hipster glasses) is awesome! She's right by the movies and is always really helpful/ has good taste/ genuinely likes people (kids). I also really like the Indian lady upstairs. She's tracked some books down for me from the Central Library and they always show up. Minus one star for occasional sketchy bathrooms and the insane numbers of angry nannies. read more

this library was transformed several years ago into this moderne facility with its very helpful and friendly staff. We borrow movies and books all the time and there's a handy drop off slot if you miss when they are open and don't want the fines for late books! You can also renew materials online if you can figure out the website..... read more

Watha T Daniel-Shaw Library - the neon sculpture by Craig Kraft outside the Watha T Daniel library in Shaw - Libraries Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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I really do like this library because the study rooms are perfectly quiet, nice windows, and good lighting. The only problem is the bathrooms near the study rooms ALWAYS STINK. I mean always. I don't understand how that is possible. I have been coming to this library for over 2 years on and off and no matter what time I come whether they just opened or have been open for a while, the bathrooms are horrendous smelling. I refuse to believe that the people that frequent this library are just particularly dirty so I know it has to do with when and how the library is having these bathrooms cleaned. Please do better. I want to keep coming to this library, but I cannot continue to dehydrate myself prior to going there so I don't have to use the bathrooms. read more

I love this library! They have a great selection of children's books that are organized by age. They also have great programs throughout the week for children of all ages. On the first and second floor there are computers for library card holders to use, but even if you don't have a library card there is one computer on each floor designated for public use. Another great thing about this library is their bulletin board. They display lots of upcoming activities in the neighborhood. read more

Decent library, and definitely an asset to the neighborhood. There are a good number of public computers, and there are good areas for children and teens. As a place to actually sit down and read a book, though, it's not that inviting...the wire mesh tulip chairs by the windows are not that comfortable, and they're right over the HVAC vents, which I usually have to cover up with my jacket. There also aren't that many books here; the building definitely has less usable space inside than it looks like from the outside, so everything is crammed together and there isn't much room for more stacks. It does look cool, and seems to be well-maintained so far. read more

This library is very nice looking not only on the outside but the inside as well. I was excited to start studying here since I needed a quiet environment close by. Unfortunately this place came up short with the quiet part. The study rooms while convenient aren't always being used for study. On my first occasion the two people using a study room were loudly singing and watching a movie...for over 2 hours. The walls are so thin, and the people refused to turn their sound down when asked. I asked a girl that I saw on the other side if it was bothering her and she said that she is used to the noise when coming here. As far as a study environment, it hasn't been good, however this is a library with a good selection of books and computers for people to use. The bathrooms are pretty smelly as someone else stated but I don't really care about that as long as they work. I know you shouldn't have to babysit people in the library, but I just wish that the people coming here would be getting books, reading, using computers or studying, rather than disrupting people who need that. read more

Horrible. Came in to take a nap. And there is a nice area for napping but it can only be used by pregnant people and people with newborn babies. There is only one other spot for comfortable napping, and that spot is always taking. I am starting to thing DC libraries aren't good for napping like they are in the county I live in(Montgomery.) read more

Great resource in the community. Seemingly one can come in and eat, drink, hold conversations, talk on the phone and sleep. So yes what a resource! read more

Not sure if this place is a homeless shelter or just a meet out for people to harass you. I walked by this library everyday and have not felt safe for years. No matter what time of day it is, there are people gathering outside and around the library. Very often you see cops outside because something have happened. I have been yelled at a few times by those strangers just because I'm walking by. This library needs to do something about their security not just the inside, but outside as well. I do not recommend young children/teenagers or elderly coming here alone unless you have someone with you. read more

We love Shaw Library! We have a toddler, and the library is great for him. The entire first floor is dedicated to kids, with books that little ones can reach, a play area, and a computer with educational games. They also have events almost every day of the week. We regularly attend the toddler story-time activities on Tuesdays and Fridays and both are great - they keep things moving with a variety of songs, games, and stories. We've also gone to some of their special events - like a trick-or-treating and costume parade on Halloween - very cute! read more

The staff is SUPER friendly to me and my daughter. The place is always clean and not usually that packed. There is a time limit on the computer (1 hour and 15minutes). So i do suggest getting there early when they first open up. They have 28 adult computers and 8 child computers downstairs. And they have a teen computer lab as well. read more

This is my favorite library in DC. Convenient location to Shaw metro. Modern glass building. Large reading room on the second floor. If you go wanting a certain book be sure to check online since the book selection is limited, but if you aren't picky you'll find some great gems. read more

Reported a guy for masturbating at one of the computers. A librarian asked him to leave, but they waited until we warned another person about sitting there before shutting down the computer to clean the area. We were informed this happens often, which is why teens and children get their own sections. Unfortunately, the security guard did nothing except stand next to the guy for a few moments. The librarians were more helpful than he was handling the situation. Beyond this unfortunate experience, the space was nice, and staff was friendly. read more

I haven't been to any of the lectures or classes. I have only been to the library during the evening to study. Even though this library is more up to date than the MLK Library, this library is not as big - meaning less places for to go and study in a quiet environment. They have tables and chairs on the second floor but all of the seats were taken. I decided to sign up for one of the individual rooms, but I could hear the phone conversation in the next room word for word. The person was talking loud so I decided to ask the one of the staff members to ask the person in the next room to tone it down, but I could still the conversation. On the positive note, the library has a cleaner environment than MLK and the staff was polite and helpful. I think when studying I would rather go to MLK on the third floor in the special collection section where it's quiet and less traffic. read more

The Watha T. Daniel-Shaw Neighborhood Library is being replaced. The old building has been razed and services currently are being provided via an interim library located at 945 Rhode Island Avenue, NW, three blocks west of the old building site. The new three-story library will be approximately 20,000 square feet and will provide inviting spaces for services to adults, young adults and children, as well as multiple meeting spaces for community use. The library will have at least 30 public access computers, including a mobile laptop cart that can be used for computer literacy training classes. read more

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Legitimate community treasure: a joyful, inspiring public space run by good people who want you to learn--whether you are six or sixty, and no matter what you came in for. read more