Shaw Library, Public library branch in Shaw, Washington D.C., United States.
Shaw Library stands as a three-floor modern facility designed by Davis Brody Bond, featuring dedicated spaces for children, teens, and adults with extensive collections of books, digital media, and community resources.
The library opened on September 27, 1975 at Rhode Island Avenue and 7th Street NW, with a ceremony led by Mayor Walter Washington. Architect Eason Cross of Cross and Adreon kept a Brutalist design with slit windows despite planning commission objections. The two-story building, costing $1.2 million in federal funds, was razed in 2004; a $12 million renovation reopened it in August 2010 as a three-story structure, named for Watha T. Daniel, first chairman of the DC Model Cities Commission.
The building is named after Watha T. Daniel, a master plumber and Shaw resident who chaired the DC Model Cities Commission and died in 1971. Its community offerings include yoga and Bollywood dance classes, and the facilities have been used for mayoral announcements. A 22-foot neon sculpture by local artist Craig Kraft stands in the entry plaza.
The library sits at the intersection of Rhode Island Avenue and 7th Street NW, on a triangular 9,850 sq ft site. The entry plaza at the east end leads into the main lobby, which connects to the lower-level community spaces. The building has one level below grade and two above.
This facility incorporates LEED certification for energy efficiency and features assistive technologies including ZoomText and JAWS software, making it one of the most accessible libraries in the District of Columbia.
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