Watha T Daniel-Shaw Library

I haven’t been to any of the lectures or classes. I have only been to the library during the evening to study. Even though this library is more up to date than the MLK Library, this library is not as big — meaning less places for to go and study in a quiet environment. They have tables and chairs on the second floor but all of the seats were taken. I decided to sign up for one of the individual rooms, but I could hear the phone conversation in the next room word for word. The person was talking loud so I decided to ask the one of the staff members to ask the person in the next room to tone it down, but I could still the conversation. On the positive note, the library has a cleaner environment than MLK and the staff was polite and helpful. I think when studying I would rather go to MLK on the third floor in the special collection section where it’s quiet and less traffic.

Attended a great Harry Potter lecture in the library’s basement last night. The library’s receptionist/​greeter was very polite and the hosting librarian was friendly and energetic. A newbie to the world of HP, the guest scholar was a speaker from GW and I loved the discussion that ensued after the presentation.
The session was just an overall feel good, something fun to do in the city on a bright Monday evening while enjoying free Harry Potter themed refreshments amid the hustle and bustle of the library’s routine activities. I’ll definitely be back to check out the book/​media offerings.
I don’t want to deduct a full star but I did note a very strong, very unpleasant odor right outside of the room where the event was held, I guess with small children running around accidents are bound to happen but holy watering eyes Batman :-X

This is a decent library. There are interesting selections. You can even use laptops and computers on a visit. The staff members are friendly. The library is clean. I love visiting here.

I love this library! They have a great selection of children’s books that are organized by age. They also have great programs throughout the week for children of all ages.
On the first and second floor there are computers for library card holders to use, but even if you don’t have a library card there is one computer on each floor designated for public use.
Another great thing about this library is their bulletin board. They display lots of upcoming activities in the neighborhood.

The staff is SUPER friendly to me and my daughter. The place is always clean and not usually that packed. There is a time limit on the computer (1 hour and 15minutes). So i do suggest getting there early when they first open up. They have 28 adult computers and 8 child computers downstairs. And they have a teen computer lab as well.

I love, love, love Shaw library. It is recently renovated and feels clean, bright, and inviting. It is certainly on the smaller side, but it is packed with resources without feeling cramped.
The main floor is dominated by an impressive DVD collection and the children’s library (bonus: kid’s bathroom, too!). There are computers for little ones to play on, miniature tables, and a few floor toys for babies. You can curl up with your little one in a cozy nook on the floor, or a table. Lots of windows and natural light make this space bright and airy.
At the back, there is a smaller room, separated by a glass wall, where children’s events take place. During the week and weekend, there are activities to satisfy all ages. Our favorites: Tuesday’s Rhythm and Rhyme, Friday’s story time, and Saturday’s all-​ages family story time. For the most part, the children’s librarians are great. Lots of energy, very good with kids, and clearly enjoy their work. The classes are 30 minutes in length, and many of them fill up quickly, so it is best to come a few minutes before the start in case it is a «ticketed» event (check the DC public library website for more information on the different classes).
Upstairs, you’ll find both fiction and non-​fiction selections, and a few private study or work rooms. There are also several of those downstairs on the lower level (where the main bathrooms are).

this library was transformed several years ago into this moderne facility with its very helpful and friendly staff. We borrow movies and books all the time and there’s a handy drop off slot if you miss when they are open and don’t want the fines for late books! You can also renew materials online if you can figure out the website…

I had a Skype interview on a Monday, and I needed a quiet place with wifi to talk freely. I didn’t have a private place to go because I was just visiting for the weekend, and I was taking the bus back home Monday night. I saw on the DC public library website that you can make reservations for a study room. I called Watha T. Daniel-​Show Library to make a reservation. Although all reservations must be made online, the person at the front desk made accommodations for me because I was visiting for the weekend. When I arrived at the library, the person at the front desk, who I assumed answered my phone call, remembered who I was. He told me good luck and showed me where the room was. He was super friendly, and I appreciate all his help!

Hey I’m writing the first review!
I discovered the Shaw library when my wifi went haywire and I needed to get online stat. Its a total find. There are study rooms you can reserve but I prefer working at the table in the back of the children’s room when it’s quiet (early afternoon). The children’s librarian down there (brown hair, hipster glasses) is awesome! She’s right by the movies and is always really helpful/​has good taste/​genuinely likes people (kids). I also really like the Indian lady upstairs. She’s tracked some books down for me from the Central Library and they always show up.
Minus one star for occasional sketchy bathrooms and the insane numbers of angry nannies.

While it is true that the interim library does not have a substantial collection of books on hand, and is essentially just one large room in a temporary trailer, it is so much better than not having a library in the area at all. They were very kind, helpful, and efficient in getting me a new library card, equipping me with a dozen or so books that I had ordered on line, and sending me on my way. and it’s not impossible to linger, either– there were probably 20 people or so there, all using the many internet terminals. The interim location is even more convenient to my apartment, to boot!
What is more: when I had a series of silly computer snafus with my library card, I got so frustrated that I came in here in person to try to get them all cleared up. The gentleman working here managed to cure all of my problems, eliminate my fines, and send me out in about ten minutes flat.