Mt. Pleasant Library
🏢 DC Public Library · Washington, District of Columbia
Mt. Pleasant Library
Mt. Pleasant Library is one of Washington, DC's four original Carnegie branch libraries, dedicated in 1925 on 16th Street NW and still serving Ward 1 a century later. Renovated in 2012, the handsome brick building continues to be a cornerstone of the multilingual Mt. Pleasant neighborhood, offering programs in English and Spanish, public computers, meeting rooms, and free Wi-Fi for the diverse community that surrounds it.
🕑 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: 3160 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20010
Phone: (202) 671-3121
Website: dclibrary.org
Plus Code: 87C4WXJ7+54 (Washington, DC)
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📖 About Mt. Pleasant Library
Mt. Pleasant Library occupies a historic Carnegie building at 3160 16th Street NW, dedicated in 1925 with funds from Andrew Carnegie's landmark philanthropy that built thousands of public libraries across the United States. It is one of the District of Columbia Public Library system's four original Carnegie branch buildings still in active use. The library serves the Mt. Pleasant neighborhood of Ward 1, one of the most diverse and multilingual communities in the city, with a historically large Latino population. A 2012 renovation refreshed the interior while preserving the building's architectural character. The branch celebrated its centennial in September 2025. Today it offers the full suite of DCPL resources — public computers, assistive technology, meeting and study rooms, Libby and Kanopy digital access, and a range of community programs including Coffee & Conversation (a drop-in circle for adults and seniors) and after-school snack programs for children.
⭐ What makes this library special
- One of DC's four original Carnegie branch libraries — dedicated in 1925 and still serving Ward 1 after a century of community use
- Celebrated its centennial in September 2025, making it the longest-continuously-operated neighborhood library in Northwest DC
- Renovated in 2012 to modernize interiors while preserving the historic brick Carnegie architecture
- Serves the multilingual Mt. Pleasant neighborhood with programs in English and Spanish, including a drop-in Coffee & Conversation circle
- Full digital access to Libby, Kanopy, Gale eBooks, PressReader and more — free with any DC library card
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Mt. Pleasant cardholders unlock free digital content across the full DC Public Library digital collection:
📚 Services
- Public computers, printing & scanning, and free Wi-Fi
- Assistive technology: JAWS/ZoomText, large-print keyboards, Pocketalker, Ubiduo
- Meeting rooms and study rooms (reservation required for groups)
- DC Talking Book and Braille Program (NLS)
- Books from Birth
- Voter registration
- Beyond the Book reading club
- Job Seekers resources
- Digital Navigators one-on-one technology help
- Ello reading-support app access
- Mail-in ballot drop box
- Interlibrary loan through DC Public Library system
🎸 Programs
- Coffee & Conversation — drop-in circle for adults and seniors
- Snacks at the Library — after-school food and activities for children
- Summer reading program for all ages
- Beyond the Book reading club
- Books from Birth early-literacy outreach
📍 Nearby Libraries in Northwest Washington, DC
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
All libraries in Washington · Browse all District of Columbia libraries →
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mt. Pleasant Library a Carnegie library, and how old is the building?
Yes. Mt. Pleasant Library was dedicated in 1925 with Carnegie funds, making it one of four original Carnegie branch libraries still in use in Washington, DC. The building turned 100 years old in 2025, and the library system celebrated the centennial in September of that year — a century of continuous service to the Ward 1 community.
Was the Mt. Pleasant Library ever renovated, and does the historic exterior remain?
The library underwent a renovation in 2012 that modernized the interior — updating technology, furnishings, and accessibility features — while preserving the historic brick Carnegie architecture at 3160 16th Street NW. The building retains its early 20th-century character on the outside.
What community programs does Mt. Pleasant Library offer?
The branch runs Coffee & Conversation, a free drop-in discussion circle for adults and seniors. It also provides Snacks at the Library, an after-school food and activity program for children. Year-round, the library offers the system-wide summer reading program, the Beyond the Book reading club, and Books from Birth early-literacy outreach.
What are the library's hours and is it open on weekends?
Mt. Pleasant Library is open Monday through Wednesday 9 am–8 pm, Thursday noon–8 pm, Friday and Saturday 10 am–6 pm, and Sunday 1 pm–5 pm. It is open seven days a week.
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