Bookworms, behold: D.C.’s central library reopened its doors Thursday after a three-and-a-half year, $211 million modernization.

The library will host a series of virtual events over the next few days to celebrate the reopening, including a discussion of Black culture in the Deaf community, a drumming workshop and a children’s pajama story time.

Before the renovation, the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library in Gallery Place was “sort of a punishing experience,” in the words of Richard Reyes-Gavilan, D.C. Public Library’s executive director.

The new iteration, he says, “invites residents to learn, explore, and delight in ways that were simply unfathomable in the building that closed in 2017.”

The city hired a team of Dutch architects to reimagine the architecturally-significant-but-claustrophobic space for the modern era. It now boasts a dance studio, fabrication lab, 290-seat auditorium and rooftop garden. A two-story ceiling and new, shorter bookshelves allow in much-needed natural light to the main reading room. A sleek wooden slide connected to the children’s reading room caps off the fun.

But due to the pandemic, most of these new amenities are not yet open to the public. Starting Thursday, visitors can pick up hold materials, access public computers and videophones for 45-minute sessions, apply for library cards and get documents printed.

Starting on Monday, the library’s regular schedule will be Mondays through Fridays, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and 3-7 p.m.

Here is a full list of upcoming virtual discussions, workshops and events celebrating the library’s reopening:

Thursday, Sept. 24
4 p.m.: Discussion on Design: The Modernization of the MLK Library
6 p.m.: Singing and Dancing Around the MLK Library

Friday, Sept. 25
5:30 p.m.: Library Beats with Malik the Drummer
6 p.m.: Pajama Story Time at MLK
6 p.m.: Author talk with Tiffany Cross

Saturday, Sept. 26
1 p.m.: Know Your Power Awards Ceremony
2 p.m.: Know Your Power Little STEM Explorers Story Time: Transportation
4 p.m.: Beat Ya Feet Academy