diff --git a/src/app/globals.css b/src/app/globals.css
index 3aedb5a..8217eaf 100644
--- a/src/app/globals.css
+++ b/src/app/globals.css
@@ -523,6 +523,10 @@
   border-color: rgba(62, 127, 92, 0.4);
   box-shadow: var(--home-shadow-md);
 }
+.media-card-featured {
+  border-color: rgba(62, 127, 92, 0.45);
+  box-shadow: 0 12px 30px rgba(62, 127, 92, 0.1), var(--home-shadow-sm);
+}
 .home-root a:not(.home-btn):not(.home-arrow-link) { text-decoration-color: var(--home-fern); }
 .home-root section, .home-root footer > div > div { border-color: var(--home-hairline); }
 /* Buttons had 10px of horizontal padding against 8px vertical, so the label
diff --git a/src/app/media/page.tsx b/src/app/media/page.tsx
index da25f2d..7178d90 100644
--- a/src/app/media/page.tsx
+++ b/src/app/media/page.tsx
@@ -32,8 +32,30 @@ export default async function MediaPage() {
       <PageHero
         title="What we&apos;re making, in motion"
         description="Short lessons, student stories, and the work happening behind free coding education. Watch on the site or follow the original post to join the conversation."
-      />
+      >
+        <div className="inline-flex items-center gap-2 rounded-full border border-[var(--home-hairline-strong)] bg-[var(--home-white)]/80 px-3.5 py-2 text-sm text-[var(--home-ink-soft)] shadow-[var(--home-shadow-sm)]">
+          <span
+            aria-hidden="true"
+            className="h-2 w-2 rounded-full bg-[var(--home-fern)]"
+          />
+          {items.length === 0
+            ? "The first videos are on the way"
+            : `${items.length} ${items.length === 1 ? "video" : "videos"} to explore`}
+        </div>
+      </PageHero>
       <PageSection>
+        <div className="mb-8 flex flex-col gap-4 border-b border-[var(--home-hairline)] pb-6 sm:flex-row sm:items-end sm:justify-between">
+          <div>
+            <h2 className="home-serif text-[1.75rem] md:text-[2.25rem]">The collection</h2>
+            <p className="mt-2 max-w-2xl text-[var(--home-ink-soft)]">
+              Start with a lesson, stay for a student story, or see what we&apos;re
+              building next.
+            </p>
+          </div>
+          <p className="text-sm text-[var(--home-ink-quiet)]">
+            {items.length === 0 ? "No videos published yet" : "Newest first"}
+          </p>
+        </div>
         <MediaLibrary items={items} />
       </PageSection>
     </PageShell>
diff --git a/src/components/media/MediaCard.tsx b/src/components/media/MediaCard.tsx
index 1977e04..b621a7d 100644
--- a/src/components/media/MediaCard.tsx
+++ b/src/components/media/MediaCard.tsx
@@ -1,20 +1,27 @@
+import { ArrowUpRight } from "lucide-react";
 import { InstagramIcon } from "@/components/icons";
 import type { MediaItem } from "@/lib/media";
-import { getYouTubeEmbedUrl } from "@/lib/media";
+import { formatMediaDate, getYouTubeEmbedUrl } from "@/lib/media";
 
 interface MediaCardProps {
   item: MediaItem;
+  emphasis?: boolean;
 }
 
-export function MediaCard({ item }: MediaCardProps) {
+export function MediaCard({ item, emphasis = false }: MediaCardProps) {
+  const publishedDate = formatMediaDate(item.publishedAt);
+  const cardClassName = `home-card home-lift overflow-hidden rounded-[20px] ${
+    emphasis ? "media-card-featured" : ""
+  }`;
+
   if (item.platform === "youtube") {
     if (!item.videoId) {
       throw new Error(`YouTube item ${item.id} is missing its videoId.`);
     }
 
     return (
-      <article className="home-card overflow-hidden rounded-[20px]">
-        <div className="aspect-video bg-[var(--home-grey-450)]">
+      <article className={cardClassName}>
+        <div className="relative aspect-video bg-[var(--home-grey-450)]">
           <iframe
             src={getYouTubeEmbedUrl(item.videoId)}
             title={`${item.title} on YouTube`}
@@ -25,24 +32,36 @@ export function MediaCard({ item }: MediaCardProps) {
           />
         </div>
         <div className="p-6 md:p-7">
-          <p className="text-[11px] uppercase tracking-[0.12em] text-[var(--home-ink-quiet)]">
-            YouTube
-          </p>
-          <h2 className="mt-2 text-xl leading-tight md:text-2xl">{item.title}</h2>
+          <div className="flex flex-wrap items-center justify-between gap-x-3 gap-y-1 text-[11px] font-medium uppercase tracking-[0.1em] text-[var(--home-ink-quiet)]">
+            <span>YouTube</span>
+            {publishedDate && (
+              <time dateTime={item.publishedAt}>{publishedDate}</time>
+            )}
+          </div>
+          <h2 className="mt-3 text-xl leading-tight md:text-2xl">{item.title}</h2>
           <p className="mt-3 text-[15px] leading-[1.55] text-[var(--home-ink-soft)]">
             {item.description}
           </p>
+          <a
+            href={item.url}
+            target="_blank"
+            rel="noopener noreferrer"
+            aria-label={`${item.title} — watch on YouTube`}
+            className="home-arrow-link mt-5"
+          >
+            Watch on YouTube <ArrowUpRight className="h-4 w-4" />
+          </a>
         </div>
       </article>
     );
   }
 
   return (
-    <article className="home-card home-lift overflow-hidden rounded-[20px]">
+    <article className={cardClassName}>
       <a
         href={item.url}
         target="_blank"
-        rel="noreferrer"
+        rel="noopener noreferrer"
         aria-label={`${item.title} — watch on Instagram`}
         className="group block"
       >
@@ -68,12 +87,18 @@ export function MediaCard({ item }: MediaCardProps) {
           </span>
         </div>
         <div className="p-6 md:p-7">
-          <h2 className="text-xl leading-tight md:text-2xl">{item.title}</h2>
+          <div className="flex flex-wrap items-center justify-between gap-x-3 gap-y-1 text-[11px] font-medium uppercase tracking-[0.1em] text-[var(--home-ink-quiet)]">
+            <span>Instagram</span>
+            {publishedDate && (
+              <time dateTime={item.publishedAt}>{publishedDate}</time>
+            )}
+          </div>
+          <h2 className="mt-3 text-xl leading-tight md:text-2xl">{item.title}</h2>
           <p className="mt-3 text-[15px] leading-[1.55] text-[var(--home-ink-soft)]">
             {item.description}
           </p>
           <span className="home-arrow-link mt-5">
-            Watch on Instagram <span className="home-arrow">→</span>
+            Watch on Instagram <ArrowUpRight className="h-4 w-4" />
           </span>
         </div>
       </a>
@@ -83,10 +108,12 @@ export function MediaCard({ item }: MediaCardProps) {
 
 export function MediaGrid({
   items,
+  layout = "preview",
   emptyTitle = "New videos are on the way",
   emptyDescription = "We're collecting the lessons, workshops, and small moments that make CodeWithPurpose what it is. Check back soon for the first set.",
 }: {
   items: readonly MediaItem[];
+  layout?: "preview" | "library";
   emptyTitle?: string;
   emptyDescription?: string;
 }) {
@@ -102,9 +129,13 @@ export function MediaGrid({
   }
 
   return (
-    <div className="grid gap-6 md:grid-cols-2">
-      {items.map((item) => (
-        <MediaCard key={item.id} item={item} />
+    <div className="grid gap-5 md:grid-cols-2 md:gap-6 xl:grid-cols-3">
+      {items.map((item, index) => (
+        <MediaCard
+          key={item.id}
+          item={item}
+          emphasis={layout === "library" && index === 0}
+        />
       ))}
     </div>
   );
diff --git a/src/components/media/MediaLibrary.tsx b/src/components/media/MediaLibrary.tsx
index 8842b68..01e3e28 100644
--- a/src/components/media/MediaLibrary.tsx
+++ b/src/components/media/MediaLibrary.tsx
@@ -1,16 +1,16 @@
 "use client";
 
-import { useMemo, useState } from "react";
+import { useState } from "react";
+import { Search } from "lucide-react";
 import { MediaGrid } from "@/components/media/MediaCard";
 import type { MediaItem, MediaPlatform } from "@/lib/media";
 
 type MediaFilter = "all" | MediaPlatform;
 
-// Instagram tab removed until Instagram entries exist in lib/media.ts — add
-// `{ label: "Instagram", value: "instagram" }` back once they do.
 const FILTERS: readonly { label: string; value: MediaFilter }[] = [
   { label: "All videos", value: "all" },
   { label: "YouTube", value: "youtube" },
+  { label: "Instagram", value: "instagram" },
 ];
 
 function matchesSearch(item: MediaItem, search: string): boolean {
@@ -23,35 +23,38 @@ function matchesSearch(item: MediaItem, search: string): boolean {
 export function MediaLibrary({ items }: { items: readonly MediaItem[] }) {
   const [filter, setFilter] = useState<MediaFilter>("all");
   const [search, setSearch] = useState("");
+  const availableFilters = FILTERS.filter(
+    (option) => option.value === "all" || items.some((item) => item.platform === option.value),
+  );
 
-  const filteredItems = useMemo(
-    () =>
-      items.filter(
-        (item) =>
-          (filter === "all" || item.platform === filter) &&
-          matchesSearch(item, search),
-      ),
-    [filter, items, search],
+  const filteredItems = items.filter(
+    (item) =>
+      (filter === "all" || item.platform === filter) && matchesSearch(item, search),
   );
 
   const hasActiveFilters = filter !== "all" || search.trim().length > 0;
-  const resultLabel = filteredItems.length === 1 ? "video" : "videos";
+  const resultLabel = items.length === 1 ? "video" : "videos";
 
   return (
     <div>
       <div className="home-card rounded-[20px] p-5 md:p-6">
         <div className="flex flex-col gap-5 lg:flex-row lg:items-end lg:justify-between">
           <div>
-            <p className="text-sm text-[var(--home-ink-soft)]">
-              Browse the library by platform or search the collection.
+            <p className="text-sm font-medium text-[var(--home-ink)]">Find a video</p>
+            <p className="mt-1 text-sm text-[var(--home-ink-soft)]">
+              Filter by platform or search the collection.
             </p>
             <div
               aria-label="Filter media by platform"
               className="mt-4 flex flex-wrap gap-2"
               role="group"
             >
-              {FILTERS.map((option) => {
+              {availableFilters.map((option) => {
                 const isActive = filter === option.value;
+                const count =
+                  option.value === "all"
+                    ? items.length
+                    : items.filter((item) => item.platform === option.value).length;
 
                 return (
                   <button
@@ -64,6 +67,16 @@ export function MediaLibrary({ items }: { items: readonly MediaItem[] }) {
                     onClick={() => setFilter(option.value)}
                   >
                     {option.label}
+                    <span
+                      aria-hidden="true"
+                      className={`rounded-full px-1.5 py-0.5 text-[11px] ${
+                        isActive
+                          ? "bg-white/15 text-white"
+                          : "bg-[var(--home-grey-400)] text-[var(--home-ink-soft)]"
+                      }`}
+                    >
+                      {count}
+                    </span>
                   </button>
                 );
               })}
@@ -71,26 +84,29 @@ export function MediaLibrary({ items }: { items: readonly MediaItem[] }) {
           </div>
 
           <div className="w-full lg:max-w-xs">
-            <label
-              htmlFor="media-search"
-              className="text-sm font-medium text-[var(--home-ink)]"
-            >
+            <label htmlFor="media-search" className="text-sm font-medium text-[var(--home-ink)]">
               Search videos
             </label>
-            <input
-              id="media-search"
-              type="search"
-              value={search}
-              onChange={(event) => setSearch(event.target.value)}
-              placeholder="Try “students”"
-              className="mt-2 min-h-11 w-full rounded-lg border border-[var(--home-hairline-strong)] bg-[var(--home-page)] px-3.5 text-[15px] text-[var(--home-ink)] outline-none transition-shadow placeholder:text-[var(--home-ink-quiet)] focus-visible:ring-2 focus-visible:ring-[var(--home-fern)] focus-visible:ring-offset-2 focus-visible:ring-offset-[var(--home-white)]"
-            />
+            <div className="relative mt-2">
+              <Search
+                aria-hidden="true"
+                className="pointer-events-none absolute left-3.5 top-1/2 h-4 w-4 -translate-y-1/2 text-[var(--home-ink-quiet)]"
+              />
+              <input
+                id="media-search"
+                type="search"
+                value={search}
+                onChange={(event) => setSearch(event.target.value)}
+                placeholder="Try “students”"
+                className="min-h-11 w-full rounded-lg border border-[var(--home-hairline-strong)] bg-[var(--home-page)] py-2.5 pl-10 pr-3.5 text-[15px] text-[var(--home-ink)] outline-none transition-shadow placeholder:text-[var(--home-ink-quiet)] focus-visible:ring-2 focus-visible:ring-[var(--home-fern)] focus-visible:ring-offset-2 focus-visible:ring-offset-[var(--home-white)]"
+              />
+            </div>
           </div>
         </div>
 
         <div className="mt-5 flex flex-wrap items-center justify-between gap-3 border-t border-[var(--home-hairline)] pt-4 text-sm text-[var(--home-ink-soft)]">
           <p aria-live="polite">
-            Showing {filteredItems.length} {resultLabel}
+            Showing {filteredItems.length} of {items.length} {resultLabel}
           </p>
           {hasActiveFilters && (
             <button
@@ -110,6 +126,7 @@ export function MediaLibrary({ items }: { items: readonly MediaItem[] }) {
       <div className="mt-8">
         <MediaGrid
           items={filteredItems}
+          layout="library"
           emptyTitle={items.length === 0 ? undefined : "No videos match those filters"}
           emptyDescription={
             items.length === 0
diff --git a/src/lib/media.ts b/src/lib/media.ts
index f83e6b9..5def426 100644
--- a/src/lib/media.ts
+++ b/src/lib/media.ts
@@ -37,6 +37,20 @@ export interface MediaItem {
 export const MEDIA_ITEMS: readonly MediaItem[] = [];
 
 const YOUTUBE_ID = /^[A-Za-z0-9_-]{11}$/;
+const MEDIA_MONTHS = [
+  "Jan",
+  "Feb",
+  "Mar",
+  "Apr",
+  "May",
+  "Jun",
+  "Jul",
+  "Aug",
+  "Sep",
+  "Oct",
+  "Nov",
+  "Dec",
+] as const;
 
 function isYouTubeUrl(value: string, videoId: string): boolean {
   try {
@@ -165,3 +179,17 @@ export function getYouTubeEmbedUrl(videoId: string): string {
   }
   return `https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/${videoId}`;
 }
+
+/** Formats an ISO date without depending on the visitor's timezone or locale. */
+export function formatMediaDate(value?: string): string | null {
+  const match = value?.match(/^(\d{4})-(\d{2})-(\d{2})/);
+  if (!match) return null;
+
+  const [, year, month, day] = match;
+  const monthIndex = Number(month) - 1;
+  if (!MEDIA_MONTHS[monthIndex] || Number(day) < 1 || Number(day) > 31) {
+    return null;
+  }
+
+  return `${Number(day)} ${MEDIA_MONTHS[monthIndex]} ${year}`;
+}