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 months 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.
6 months 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/

6 months 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.
6 months 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.

6 months 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.

6 months 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.
6 months 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.
6 months 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.
6 months 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.
6 months 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.
7 months 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
7 months 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!

7 months 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!

7 months ago, Nelson Appell
Gideon Sterer and Nelson Appell
Family Reading Night - March 6, doors open @ 5:30 p.m.
Last night was the first library puzzle race of 2026. Congratulations to the winners and their winning time of 1:17:14.34.
7 months ago, Nelson Appell
Puzzle Put-togetherers putting puzzle pieces in place
The wining time: 1:17:14.34
The winning puzzle team!
Puzzle Put-togetherers putting puzzle pieces in place
The skies look like they are boiling in this picture. It may be wet outside, but it's dry inside the library. Stop by for some rainy-day books and DVDs!
8 months ago, Nelson Appell
the library with dark clouds

MASL's 2026-2027 Reading Lists for Missourians in grades 1 through 12 have been released. (i.e. The Mark Twain Awards, the Gateway Readers Awards) You can find them on the library's website. Each book includes a link to information about the books provided by TeachingBooks. https://www.washmolib.org/o/wpl/page/missouri-reading-lists

8 months ago, Nelson Appell
MASL Logo
TeachingBooks Logo
Valentines Crafternoon was a lot of fun! Thank you for coming out and making crafts with us.
8 months ago, Nelson Appell
Valentine Craternoon
Valentine Craternoon
Valentine Craternoon
Valentine Craternoon
Valentine Craternoon
Valentine Craternoon
Valentine Craternoon
Look what was found while pruning the rose bushes outside the library. A praying mantis egg case - a little nest attached to the bush. For some of us, this makes our day!
8 months ago, Nelson Appell
praying mantis nest
praying mantis nest

The February Art Club's focus will be collage. There are so many styles and ways to approach this. The Library will have all kinds of paper and stencils along with our usual paints and canvases. We also had some wood picture frames donated, which could be really fun to use for this. If you have pictures or images you want to use and need printed, feel free to come a little early and we'll help you get that done. See you Wednesday February 11 @ 6:00 p.m.

8 months ago, Nelson Appell
Art Club - 2nd Wednesdays, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.