The exterior of the Watha T. Daniel/Shaw Neighborhood Library.

Turns out we weren’t the only ones gushing over the Watha T. Daniel/Shaw Neighborhood Library, which opened in August — the Wall Street Journal named the modern facility as one of its best buildings of the year. The design of the Library, which the Journal notes features a “dynamically jutting prow that is a far cry from the inward-turned, windowless brick models of yesteryear,” is lavishly praised by Julie V. Iovine as an appropriate way to symbolize the way libraries are evolving from simple book repositories into centers of community activity — something we certainly agreed with in our first look at the structure.

“The Wall Street Journal’s praise is a great end to a banner year in the library’s transformation,” said Ginnie Cooper, chief librarian of the D.C. Public Library, in a statement.

A banner year for facilities, indeed: DCPL’s renovated Georgetown branch reopened in October, while several other branch renovations around town are nearing completion.