Public Libraries in Washington, District of Columbia

Q: How many public libraries are there in Washington, DC?

The DC Public Library (DCPL) system has 26 locations citywide, including the central Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library and neighborhood libraries in every ward. This page lists 20 DCPL branches in Washington with their addresses and hours.

Q: What are the hours of the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library?

The central MLK Memorial Library (901 G St. NW) is open Monday–Thursday 9:30 a.m.–9 p.m., Friday–Saturday 9:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m., and Sunday 1–5 p.m. Most neighborhood libraries open Monday–Wednesday 9 a.m.–8 p.m., Thursday noon–8 p.m., Friday–Saturday 10 a.m.–6 p.m., and Sunday 1–5 p.m.

Q: How do I get a DC Public Library card?

A DCPL library card is free for DC residents and qualifying others. You can sign up in person at any branch with proof of DC address, or register online at dclibrary.org. The card gives you access to books, computers, Wi-Fi, and digital resources like Libby.

District of Columbia — United States

Public Libraries in Washington, District of Columbia

20 DC Public Library locations in Washington, DC — including the central Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library — with real addresses, phone numbers, and hours.

← All District of Columbia Libraries

Libraries

Libraries in Washington

Parklands-Turner Neighborhood Library

📍 1547 Alabama Ave. SE, Washington, DC 20032

📞 202-645-4532 · 🕑 Mon–Wed 9–8, Thu 12–8, Fri–Sat 10–6, Sun 1–5

Bellevue/William O. Lockridge Neighborhood Library

📍 115 Atlantic St. SW, Washington, DC 20032

📞 202-243-1185 · 🕑 Mon–Wed 9–8, Thu 12–8, Fri–Sat 10–6, Sun 1–5

Francis A. Gregory Neighborhood Library

📍 3660 Alabama Ave. SE, Washington, DC 20020

📞 202-698-6373 · 🕑 Mon–Wed 9–8, Thu 12–8, Fri–Sat 10–6, Sun 1–5

Juanita E. Thornton/Shepherd Park Neighborhood Library

📍 7420 Georgia Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20012

📞 202-541-6100 · 🕑 Mon–Wed 9–8, Thu 12–8, Fri–Sat 10–6, Sun 1–5

Southwest Library

📍 900 Wesley Place SW, Washington, DC 20024

📞 202-724-4298 · 🕑 Mon–Wed 9–8, Thu 12–8, Fri–Sat 10–6, Sun 1–5

Shaw (Watha T. Daniel) Neighborhood Library

📍 1630 7th St. NW, Washington, DC 20001

📞 202-727-1288 · 🕑 Temporarily closed for renovation (as of May 18, 2026)

Northwest One Neighborhood Library

📍 155 L St. NW, Washington, DC 20001

📞 202-939-5946 · 🕑 Mon–Wed 10–6, Thu 12–8, Fri–Sat 10–6, Sun 1–5

Woodridge Neighborhood Library

📍 1801 Hamlin St. NE, Washington, DC 20018

📞 202-541-6226 · 🕑 Mon–Wed 9–8, Thu 12–8, Fri–Sat 10–6, Sun 1–5

Mt. Pleasant Neighborhood Library

📍 3160 16th St. NW, Washington, DC 20010

📞 202-671-3121 · 🕑 Mon–Wed 9–8, Thu 12–8, Fri–Sat 10–6, Sun 1–5

Tenley-Friendship Neighborhood Library

📍 4450 Wisconsin Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20016

📞 202-727-1488 · 🕑 Mon–Wed 9–8, Thu 12–8, Fri–Sat 10–6, Sun 1–5

Capitol View Neighborhood Library

📍 5001 Central Ave. SE, Washington, DC 20019

📞 202-645-0755 · 🕑 Mon–Wed 9–8, Thu 12–8, Fri–Sat 10–6, Sun 1–5

Dorothy I. Height/Benning Neighborhood Library

📍 3935 Benning Road NE, Washington, DC 20019

📞 202-281-2583 · 🕑 Mon–Wed 9–8, Thu 12–8, Fri–Sat 10–6, Sun 1–5

Chevy Chase Neighborhood Library

📍 5625 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20015

📞 202-282-0021 · 🕑 Mon–Wed 9–8, Thu 12–8, Fri–Sat 10–6, Sun 1–5

Rosedale Neighborhood Library

📍 1701 Gales St. NE, Washington, DC 20002

📞 202-727-5012 · 🕑 Mon–Wed 10–6, Thu 12–8, Fri–Sat 10–6, Sun 1–5

Northeast Neighborhood Library

📍 330 7th St. NE, Washington, DC 20002

📞 202-698-0058 · 🕑 Mon–Wed 9–8, Thu 12–8, Fri–Sat 10–6, Sun 1–5

Palisades Neighborhood Library

📍 4901 V St. NW, Washington, DC 20007

📞 202-282-3139 · 🕑 Mon–Wed 9–8, Thu 12–8, Fri–Sat 10–6, Sun 1–5

West End Neighborhood Library

📍 2301 L St. NW, Washington, DC 20037

📞 202-724-8707 · 🕑 Mon–Wed 9–8, Thu 12–8, Fri–Sat 10–6, Sun 1–5

Takoma Park Neighborhood Library

📍 416 Cedar St. NW, Washington, DC 20012

📞 202-576-7252 · 🕑 Mon–Wed 9–8, Thu 12–8, Fri–Sat 10–6, Sun 1–5

Cleveland Park Library

📍 3310 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20008

📞 202-282-3080 · 🕑 Mon–Wed 9–8, Thu 12–8, Fri–Sat 10–6, Sun 1–5

Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library

📍 901 G St. NW, Washington, DC 20001

📞 202-727-0321 · 🕑 Mon–Thu 9:30–9, Fri–Sat 9:30–5:30, Sun 1–5

The Story of the Library in Washington

DC Public Library was established in 1896 as the free public library of the District of Columbia. Its central branch, the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library at 901 G Street NW, opened in 1972 and is the only library designed by architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe; the modernist building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Following a major renovation from 2017 to 2020, the MLK Library reopened with expanded studios, maker spaces, a rooftop terrace, and a dedicated children's library.

About Public Libraries in Washington

Washington is served by the DC Public Library (DCPL), whose 26 locations include the central Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library downtown plus neighborhood libraries across all eight wards. A DC Public Library card is free for DC residents (and qualifying others), and can be requested in person at any branch or online. One card unlocks physical collections, free public computers and Wi-Fi, meeting and study space, children's and teen programs, and the library's full slate of digital resources.

With a free DCPL card, residents can borrow eBooks and audiobooks through Libby / OverDrive, use research and learning databases, and book time in the Dream Lab and other digital-creation spaces at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library — all at no cost.

📚 What You Can Access

📚 Books, DVDs and physical collections across 26 locations
📱 eBooks & audiobooks via Libby / OverDrive
🎬 Streaming media and digital learning databases
🖥️ Free public computers, Wi-Fi and printing
🛠️ Dream Lab and maker/digital-creation spaces at MLK Library
🧒 Children’s, teen and adult programs at neighborhood branches
🎟️ Free DC Public Library card for residents

🏛️ Quick Facts

Libraries	20 DCPL locations listed in Washington
System	DC Public Library (DCPL)
Central library	Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, 901 G St. NW
Founded	1896
Library card	Free for DC residents
Digital resources	Libby/OverDrive, databases, Dream Lab

Explore more public libraries in District of Columbia

Silver Spring →Bethesda →Rockville →

Frequently Asked Questions

How many public libraries are there in Washington, DC?

The DC Public Library (DCPL) system has 26 locations citywide, including the central Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library and neighborhood libraries in every ward. This page lists 20 DCPL branches in Washington with their addresses and hours.

What are the hours of the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library?

The central MLK Memorial Library (901 G St. NW) is open Monday–Thursday 9:30 a.m.–9 p.m., Friday–Saturday 9:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m., and Sunday 1–5 p.m. Most neighborhood libraries open Monday–Wednesday 9 a.m.–8 p.m., Thursday noon–8 p.m., Friday–Saturday 10 a.m.–6 p.m., and Sunday 1–5 p.m.

How do I get a DC Public Library card?

A DCPL library card is free for DC residents and qualifying others. You can sign up in person at any branch with proof of DC address, or register online at dclibrary.org. The card gives you access to books, computers, Wi-Fi, and digital resources like Libby.

Can I borrow eBooks and audiobooks with a DC library card?

Yes. A free DCPL card lets you borrow eBooks and audiobooks through Libby / OverDrive, plus access online research and learning databases and the Dream Lab digital tools at the MLK Library — all at no cost.