The city's previous central library, in Mount Vernon Square, was donated by industrialist Andrew Carnegie and dedicated in 1903.
A 1961 Booz Allen Hamilton report sponsored by the city government found that the library had become inadequate in size and technology, was located in what was now the city's "worst slum", and that "At any hour of the day or night, a collection of derelicts loaf around the Library and sleep on the curved bench in front." It called for a new library downtown, at an estimated cost of $12 million.[2]
The building was completed in 1972 at a cost of $18 million. By the early 2000s, years of deferred facility maintenance had become widely apparent.[3]
On June 28, 2007, the District of Columbia's Historic Preservation Review Board designated the building a historic landmark. The designation, which applies to the exterior as well as interior spaces, seeks to preserve Mies' original design while allowing the library the necessary flexibility to operate. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2007.[4]
Mecanooarchitecture firm was selected to renovate the library, starting on March 4, 2017. The renovation cost $211 million, and the library reopened in 2020 after 3½ years.[5][6] The entire interior was completely redone, and included a new auditorium, dance studio, recording studios, tool library, offices, and a rooftop garden.[7][8][9]
Covid-19
When the library reopened, with limited services, after the renovation the COVID-19 pandemic was affecting the United States. The library closed again following a phased management of the pandemic. It was a center for COVID-19 testing and distribution of masks as a contribution in the city's management of COVID-19,[10][11] while providing some library services.
Doors and elevators wheelchair accessible on every floor.
One Topaz HD magnifier that allow users with impaired vision to read documents with fonts in the size most convenient from them. It includes a brightness dial, a magnification dial, a color dial, and its ergonomic design allows the screen's height and orientation. A tray allows smooth movement of the texts, and the lock button can be used to read, hold or write documents.[12][13]
In the summer of 2023, the library showed 12 original drawings by Leonardo da Vinci from the 1400s and 1500s until August 20, 2023 in a free exhibit entitled Imagining the future - Leonardo da Vinci: In the mind of an Italian genius.
The DC Public Library Foundation (DCPLF) received a $2.7 million donation from Jeff Bezos to support Beyond the Book, the extension of Books From Birth; one of the DC Public Library's most important and beloved literacy programs for young children. Bezos’ donation was the largest ever received by the foundation.[21] It was suggested that the auditorium be named after Bezos,[22] but this was criticised by council members including Charles Allen and D.C.'s shadow representative to Congress Oye Owolewa.[23]
Terrace and garden
The terrace and gardens are on the fifth floor, surrounding the Auditorium. There is a garden with a view of a section of Chinatown and G, H and 9th streets. There are covered seating areas for use even in inclement weather.[24][25][26]
Landmark designations
In June 2007 the DC Historic Preservation Review Board (HPRB) designated the building exterior, enclosure, and the interior public spaces on the ground floor as a historic landmark; it is in the DC Inventory of Historic Sites. In the same year, it was listed in the National Register of Historic Places.[27]
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