The Social Worker will be at the library Thursday, April 23 from 9am - 2pm. If you need any help, come to the library between 9am-2pm. No appointments.

Her next date at the library is in two weeks - May 7.
about 16 hours ago, Nelson Appell
Social Worker Announcement - April 23, 2026, 9am-2pm
Thank You to everyone who came out Saturday for the 2026 MOBookFest @ Washington Public Library. The weather cooperated (eventually). We saw lots of smiling faces, were entertained by Fredbird's manic energy, petted a baby wallaby, ate K-Bop Korean BBQ, gave away free books to kids, celebrated books and stories, and we even found Waldo!
4 days ago, Nelson Appell
Fredbird and the Library Director/Festival Co-Chair
Where's Waldo - Mayor Doug is on the stage with Chef Adjo
Authors and their books at Neighborhood Reads
Chef trent cooking a risotto with trout
Happy Festival goers
Petting a baby wallaby
Sarah Kraffty on the stage
Minion and his handler outside the library
The Friends of the Library
Korean BBQ in the Street
The storms were fierce last night, but the main tent stands. The rain has stopped in Washington, and the forecast is a steady progress towards sunny skies. MOBookFest is happening!
5 days ago, Nelson Appell
the big tent stands
It's happening today! MOBookFest 2026 kicks off this morning, Saturday April 18, at 9am. Come on out and enjoy the celebration of reading, books and Missouri culture.
https://www.washmolib.org/o/wpl/page/festival-programs
5 days ago, Nelson Appell
The missouri book festival, where stories come to life

Thank you to Jess from Little Lost Kitchen for leading last night's tasting of food from Puerto Rico. It looks delicious. To see more Community Reads events, check the website.

6 days ago, Nelson Appell
Tasting Puerto Rican food
Tasting Puerto Rican food
Tasting Puerto Rican food
Tasting Puerto Rican food
Tasting Puerto Rican food
Tasting Puerto Rican food

Award-winning children's book author Kate Klise is the keynote for this year's Missouri Book Festival. To listen to Kate Klise's MOBookFest interview on KMOX, click on the link.

https://www.audacy.com/kmox/podcasts/0eae2c711c4a1eac5bfc1431c3cb3252/episodes/a_midwest_chldrens_book_aithor-8277667

6 days ago, Nelson Appell
Kate Klise, Keynote Speaker
The MOBookFest big tent and main stage are setup in the parking lot. It's almost here. https://www.washmolib.org/o/wpl/page/missouri-book-festival
6 days ago, Nelson Appell
big tent in the library parking lot
big tent in the library parking lot
Due to hosting the 2026 MOBookFest, the library will be busy & loud on Saturday April 18. Events will take place on both floors of the library. The parking lot will be closed. Please plan accordingly if you need to use the library.

Public Computers will be available. The library will be open for browsing and checkouts.

The library will be back to normal on Sunday, April 19, Noon-4pm.
8 days ago, Nelson Appell
Attention: The library will be busy on Saturday April 18

Give a listen as Keynote Speaker Kate Klise talks about the Missouri Book Festival with Missourinet. Cameron Conner talks with Missouri children’s author Kate Klise to find what hidden gems await and shares her books on display. MOBookFest: Saturday, April 18 2026, 9am - 2pm at Washington Public Library.

https://www.missourinet.com/2026/04/08/missouri-book-festival-returns-to-washington-april-18-listen/

14 days ago, Nelson Appell
Kate Klise, Keynote Speaker on Saturday April 18, 2026
The VIPs (Volunteers in Parks) were at the library today, pruning and readying the library's landscaping for Spring. Thanks to the volunteers for serving the community on a crisp, beautiful Spring morning.
15 days ago, Nelson Appell
VIPs beautifying the library grounds
VIPs beautifying the library grounds
VIPs beautifying the library grounds
VIPs beautifying the library grounds
VIPs beautifying the library grounds

Great news! Patrons can now access archives of the Missourian from 1965 to 2018 in PDF format. This service can only be accessed from within the library. You can use the library's public computers or your own portable laptop/tablet, so long as you are in the library building. This database can be found under Newspapers in our Research & Learn webpage: https://www.washmolib.org/o/wpl/page/research-learn . Ask a staff member if you need assistance.

16 days ago, Nelson Appell
Washington Missourian Archive 1869-2018 with a photo of an old Missourian front page

The library has added Playstation 5 games to the collection. These are two-week checkouts. They are on display at the main circulation desk with the Nintendo games. You can see the titles in our online catalog.

17 days ago, Nelson Appell
8 playstation games
Playstation Games on their side
The library has had a native flower garden at the entrance for years. And now we have a sign explaining what the garden is! Thank you to the Parks Department for setting this up.
19 days ago, Nelson Appell
native library flower bed sign
The Smithsonian Voices and Votes exhibit was packed up Monday into carts and will leave the library for its next stop later this week. Thank You to MO Humanities for the opportunity to host this exhibit.
23 days ago, Nelson Appell
Smithsonian employee touching up the voices and votes exhibit
taking down the Smithsonian traveling exhibit
taking down the Smithsonian traveling exhibit
And they're off! Friday's Teen egg hunt distributed dollar bills, a ton of chocolate, and $25 in Downtown Washington gift certificates to local teens.
24 days ago, Nelson Appell
teens running down an empty library entrance
teens running down an empty library entrance
teens running down an empty library entrance
teens running down an empty library entrance
teens running down an empty library entrance
hunting eggs in the library
hunting eggs in the library
exchanging eggs
hunting eggs in the library
We are seeing an increase in patrons being scammed out of money online for passports. DO NOT give your personal or payment information to a third-party online passport site. ONLY the U.S. Department of State issues passports. Do not be scammed into paying more for a private company to fill out of pass on your application. The official website ends in ".gov." https://travel.state.gov/

Call the Library and speak to a passport agent if you have any questions.
29 days ago, Nelson Appell
Scam Alert! Graphic
Pout-Pout Fish story time with Children's Librarian Miss Ruth at Cinema 1 was a blast! Remember - the library has a lot of Pout-Pout books available for checkout. Come on in and get the books that are the basis for the hit movie.
about 1 month ago, Nelson Appell
pout pout fish story time
pout pout fish story time
pout pout fish story time
pout pout fish story time
pout pout fish story time
pout pout fish story time
The MO Book Festival is coming four weeks from today! April 18, 2026 from 9am - 2pm. We've been busy putting a together a schedule of events for all ages. Hop on over to the program page to what's new, including our latest program featuring local social media star Sarah Craffty.
https://www.washmolib.org/o/wpl/page/festival-programs
about 1 month ago, Nelson Appell
Missouri Book Festival: Where Stories Come to Life

The 5th Community Read book pickup starts Monday March 23. You can pickup a copy of "Speak to me of Home" by Jeanine Cummins, and the Program Guide, at Washington Public Library or any branch of Scenic Regional Library.

There will be great programs throughout April.

Find the digital program guide here.

Visit the website for more information.

See you at the library!

about 1 month ago, Nelson Appell
Book cover of Speak to me of Home by Jeanine Cummins
Headshot of Jeanine Cummins

Author Gideon Sterer will be at Family Reading Night tonight at Washington Middle School beginning at 5:30 p.m. Fun Fact: Gideon has 25 books scheduled to come out in the next couple years. The library now has signed copies of his books for checkout!

about 2 months ago, Nelson Appell
Gideon Sterer and Nelson Appell
Family Reading Night - March 6, doors open @ 5:30 p.m.