Takoma Park Neighborhood Library

The Takoma Park neighborhood received the first purpose-built Neighborhood Library in the history of the DC Public Library system on November 17, 1911. Prior to receiving funding for the public library branch, Takoma Park residents were served by a private subscription library. The current Takoma Park Branch at 416 Cedar Street, N.W. was funded through a $40,000 contribution by philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. One of four Carnegie-funded library buildings in Washington, DC, the Takoma Park library represented the beginning of a system of branches that today encompasses twenty-five branch libraries and one central library.

Takoma Park Neighborhood Library circulates nearly 35,000 books annually. The library maintains special collections covering Takoma Park history and a comprehensive collection of National Geographic Magazine. The Friends of Takoma Park Neighborhood Library, a volunteer support organization formed in 1982, sponsors fundraising initiatives and volunteer staffing of the library.