Bellevue/William O. Lockridge Neighborhood Library
🏢 DC Public Library · Washington, District of Columbia
Bellevue/William O. Lockridge Neighborhood Library
The Bellevue/William O. Lockridge Neighborhood Library at 115 Atlantic Street SW opened June 13, 2012, as a state-of-the-art facility designed by award-winning architect Sir David Adjaye. Named for William O. Lockridge, a community activist who championed affordable housing in Southeast DC, the branch serves the Bellevue neighborhood — a tight-knit residential quarter in Ward 8 built largely in the 1940s for workers at nearby Bolling Air Force Base.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 9am–8pm |
| Tuesday | 9am–8pm |
| Wednesday | 9am–8pm |
| Thursday | 12pm–8pm |
| Friday | 10am–6pm |
| Saturday | 10am–6pm |
| Sunday | 1pm–5pm |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 115 Atlantic Street SW, Washington, DC 20032
Phone: (202) 243-1185
Website: dclibrary.org
Plus Code: 87C4RXJR+G6 (Washington, DC)
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📖 About Bellevue/William O. Lockridge Neighborhood Library
The Bellevue/William O. Lockridge Neighborhood Library is one of DC Public Library's modern flagship branches. It opened on June 13, 2012, in the Bellevue neighborhood of Southeast Washington, which traces its identity to 1795 when Thomas Grafton Addison built a mansion on the high ground here and called it 'Bellevue.' The building was designed by Sir David Adjaye, the Ghanaian-British architect known for the National Museum of African American History & Culture on the National Mall, and is widely regarded as a model for community library design. The branch is named for William O. Lockridge, a longtime community activist who died in January 2011; Mayor Vincent C. Gray championed the naming in recognition of Lockridge's decades of advocacy for affordable housing and neighborhood improvement in Ward 8. The library serves a predominantly residential community of detached single-family homes and is a key anchor for families, job seekers, and seniors in this part of Southeast DC. Note: the building's HVAC system has experienced repeated failures, and the library may close intermittently during extreme heat while a full replacement is completed.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Designed by Sir David Adjaye, acclaimed architect of the National Museum of African American History & Culture — opened June 13, 2012
- Named for community activist William O. Lockridge (d. 2011), a longtime champion of affordable housing and neighborhood services in Ward 8
- State-of-the-art facility with full assistive technology suite: JAWS, ZoomText, CCTV magnifier, Pocketalker and Ubiduo
- Features a parking lot and mail-in ballot drop box alongside computers, printing, meeting rooms and WiFi
- Serves the Bellevue neighborhood in Southeast DC, a primarily residential Ward 8 community with roots in the 1940s defense industry
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Lockridge cardholders can access a full suite of free digital resources through DC Public Library:
📚 Services
- Public computers and printing & scanning
- Assistive technology: JAWS, ZoomText, CCTV/magnifier, large-print keyboards, Pocketalker, Ubiduo
- DC Talking Book & Braille Program (NLS)
- Books from Birth early-literacy program
- Meeting & study rooms
- Job seeker resources and career assistance
- Tax preparation assistance (seasonal)
- Voter registration and mail-in ballot drop box
- Parking lot on site
🎸 Programs
- Bellevue Saturday Cinema series (including Hispanic Heritage Month screenings)
- Stitching Circle — knitting and crocheting community group
- Books from Birth family literacy events
- Seasonal tax preparation clinics
📍 Nearby Libraries in Southeast & Southwest Washington
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
All libraries in Washington · Browse all District of Columbia libraries →
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Who was William O. Lockridge, and why is this library named after him?
William O. Lockridge was a longtime community activist in Ward 8 who dedicated decades to advocating for affordable housing, neighborhood services, and quality of life for Southeast DC residents. He died in January 2011. Mayor Vincent C. Gray championed naming the newly built library in his honor, overriding objections from the library board, in recognition of Lockridge's sustained commitment to the Bellevue community.
Who designed the Bellevue/Lockridge Library, and when did it open?
The library was designed by Sir David Adjaye, the Ghanaian-British architect best known for designing the National Museum of African American History & Culture on the National Mall. It opened on June 13, 2012, and is widely regarded as a model for modern public library design in DC, featuring ample natural light, flexible spaces and a full suite of technology resources.
Does the library have parking, and is it accessible?
Yes. The Bellevue/Lockridge Library has an on-site parking lot, which is uncommon for a DC branch library. The building is fully accessible and is equipped with extensive assistive technology including JAWS and ZoomText screen-reading software, large-print keyboards, a CCTV magnifier, Pocketalker personal amplifier, and Ubiduo face-to-face communication devices for patrons who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Is the library open on Sundays, and what are the late-night hours?
Yes, the library is open Sunday 1–5 pm. On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday it opens at 9 am and stays open until 8 pm — the latest hours of the week. Thursday hours are 12 pm–8 pm, and Friday and Saturday are 10 am–6 pm. Note that the building has experienced intermittent HVAC failures, so check the DC Public Library website for any unplanned closures on hot days.
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