With redevelopment of Southwest Library underway, interim library to open August 8

An interim public library will debut next to the Waterfront Metro station August 8, while the Southwest Library undergoes a $18 million redevelopment at its current site at 900 Wesley Place SW. The interim library will be located at 425 M Street SW and will open at 9:30 a.m., D.C. Public Library (DCPL) said Wednesday. The new permanent library is to open in 2020.

The following services will be offered at the interim library during construction, per DCPL:

“Mondays at 10:30 a.m. — Story Time at Politics and Prose at The Wharf

Mondays — Arty Afternoons at 425 M Street SW

Wednesday evenings — Pajama Story Time at 425 M Street SW

Thursday afternoons — Sit & Knit at 425 M Street SW

Monthly — Coffee & Conversation at 425 M Street SW

​Periodically — Tech and job seeks help at 425 M Street SW

The new Southwest Library was designed by international architecture firm Perkins+Will. It will feature additional public space and natural light, dedicated areas for various age groups, and sustainable design. There will be 3D printers in what DCPL calls an “innovation lab” too.

Perkins+Will, via D.C. Public Library