Building a Library for Eckington and Edgewood

Our predecessor commission, ANC 5E, tried to oppose a new library in Eckington and Edgewood. Commissioners Jennifer Anderson, Mark Galvan, and myself reversed that position in 2023 and began working with the D.C. Library on potential site selection and with the D.C. Council on securing funds for a community library. Under current plans, construction of an Eckington/Edgewood Library is expected to begin in 2027-28 and to be complete by 2030. ANC 5F has also established a Library Task Force to engage the community on what services the library should offer. 

• • January 2023: I voted yes on ANC5F-25-006 sponsored by Commissioner Jennifer Anderson, to support a library in Eckington and Edgewood and to establish a Library Task Force to provide community input. The ANC 5F Library Task Force meets second Tuesday of every month at 8pm.

  • February 2023: I voted yes on ANC5F-25-016 sponsored by Commissioners Jennifer Anderson and Mark Galvan to reverse ANC 5E's opposition to an Eckington/Edgewood Library and to successfully secure $24.5 million in funds to construct it by 2028.

  • April 2024: DC Public Library presents to ANC 5F, identifying five potential sites for an Eckington/Edgewood Library: 701 Michigan Ave NE, 3315-3329 8th St NE, 600 Rhode Island Ave NE, 605 Rhode Island Ave NE, and 1709 3rd St NE.

  • January 2025: I sponsored and voted yes on ANC5F-26-005 to successfully keep full funding for the Eckington/Edgewood Library despite serious D.C. budget pressures. 

  • January 2025: DC Public Library provides an updated status report to the ANC 5F Library Task Force, noting that 600 Rhode Island Ave NE and 605 Rhode Island Ave NE are their two finalist sites.

  • Late 2025-early 2026: The ANC 5F Library Task Force is visiting other libraries in the city for ideas.

How can you help? Learn more about the project at the DC Public Library website. Urge the Mayor and the Council to prioritize construction. Join the ANC 5F Library Task Force to provide input!