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The Southeast Neighborhood Library turns 100 this week. D.C.’s second-oldest library, located at 403 7th Street SE, opened on Dec. 8, 1922 — the year F. Scott Fitzgerald released only his second novel, The Beautiful and Damned, and the year James Joyce published Ulysses (although it would be banned for another 12 years in the U.S. for being obscene).

D.C.’s oldest public library is the Takoma Park Library, which opened on Nov. 17, 1911. A few other libraries are celebrating their birthdays this week too:

The Southeast Library has become a staple of the local community over the last century, hosting recurring events for young children and other activities, like yoga. Neighborhood libraries, including the one in Southeast D.C., have become trusted institutions, which is why city officials decided they would host ballot drop boxes and make COVID-19 test kits available at those locations.

The Southeast Library was an immediate success when it opened, according to the DC Public Library, with an average daily circulation of 500 books within the first two weeks. The one-story brick building only had a modest collection to start, so hundreds of extra books had to be transferred from the central library. Seven months into operating, DCPL says the branch had circulated 86,822 books and 3,904 registered patrons.

The library underwent various changes over the decades, from adding programming like poetry readings and adult education classes in the 1970s to undergoing interior renovations to be more accessible to the disability community in the 1980s, according to DCPL. More changes are forthcoming. The city has plans to modernize the library as a means to expand space for additional books and programming, as well as design it to be more environmentally friendly and accessible. The project is currently in the design phase, which will include a review from the D.C. Historic Preservation Review; the site was designated a historic landmark in March 2021.

DC Public Library says the branch is hosting various events this week to celebrate. Here are the events:

  • Thursday at 6:30 p.m.: “Author Talk.” A member of the Friends of Southeast Library, Mike Canning, will discuss his book,  Hollywood on the Potomac: How the Movies View Washington, D.C.
  • Thursday to Saturday, all day: “Southeast Neighborhood Library in 100 Words.” Visitors are welcome to stop by and share on a note card what the branch means to them in 100 words or less.
  • Saturday at 3 p.m.: “Family Mask and Instrument-Making Party.” Visitors will get to make festive masks and instruments for the parade that follows.
  • Saturday at 5 p.m.: “Fairy Tale Masquerade Procession and Birthday Cupcakes.” There will be a parade featuring LED candles and noisemakers beginning at the D Street entrance, followed by cupcakes at the library. People are encouraged to wear costumes.
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