Tour de DCPL X

DC Public Library’s Tour de DCPL is in its tenth year! This free, no-drop bike ride is a great way to learn about the DC Public Library system and some of the history of the District, as well as a great time to tour the city with other library-loving bicyclists (or bicycle-loving library supporters).

Highlights for me this year were the temporary location of their makerspace, the Fab Test Lab, their DC history archives, Washingtoniana, and their bike bookmobile (aka the Library Takeout, or Library on the Go-Go). And a special guest appearance by my friend, Mr. T in DC!

WABA was there this year to lend a hand with making sure the ride went smoothly. And the DC Library staff did an excellent job in managing traffic as well. It’s always a pleasure to see David, Maggie, Bobbie, Tammeric, and the other staff on these rides.

I’ve been doing this ride every year since 2014*, and I’ve now been to every branch library except for two.** I was asked what year was my favorite ride– I’m hard-pressed to think of an answer, since I’ve enjoyed them all.

The Flickr set is here.

*I’m not sure why I didn’t blog about it last year, but I did take photos.
**Georgetown and Chevy Chase– I somehow missed those on previous rides.

Tour de DCPL VIII

I come back to the Tour de DCPL every year because I think libraries are important to highlight, and because the route always changes. Really, you should do this ride. You get to explore different parts of DC and you get to visit libraries. What’s not to like?

Tour de DCPL VII

This is my third year doing the Tour de DCPL. This ride continues to have appeal for me because it’s a ride that highlights libraries in the area, and the locations change every year.

This year, we went to a couple of libraries outside the DC Public Library system, in nearby Montgomery County, Maryland. We started at the Takoma Park (DC) branch, the oldest in the DCPL system. We then made our way to the Juanita E. Thornton Shepherd Park library, and received a special police escort to the Takoma Park (MD) Library in the town’s community center. We took the scenic Sligo Creek Trail over to the newly built Silver Spring Library.

The tour went on to the Chevy Chase and Tenley-Friendship libraries, but unfortunately, I had some pressing matters at home to take care of, so I cut out early and made my way back home.

I took pictures on Instagram, and my Flickr set is here. As always, many thanks to the DC Public Library staff for organizing this ride.

Tour de DCPL VI

Many kudos to the folks at the DC Public Library for putting together this ride during National Bike Month every year. The Tour de DCPL is a social bike ride that makes stops at selected library branches to promote both bicycling and the various neighborhoods within the system. This year, the tour highlighted a few locations in the Northwest Quadrant.

Tour de DCPL

Believe it or not, sometimes I like to ride my bike for things other than food. I also like to ride for good causes.

Libraries hold a special place in my heart, and not just because I work in one. I strongly believe that public libraries do a world of good in the communities they serve, and they should be recognized for the services they provide for their neighborhoods. I love going to city libraries, as you can learn a lot about what they find important to make available for their patrons.

When I first heard of the Tour de DCPL, I was intrigued. A bike ride that tours around the branches of the DC Public Library– how cool is that? Schedule conflicts every year had prevented me from participating– until yesterday.