Arlington Public Library

Arlington Public Library is an official book sanctuary

link to "eight romantic nights" booklist

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A couple standing close together outdoors, with one holding a bouquet of pink and cream roses accented with baby's breath. One person is dressed in a navy suit and bow tie, and the other is wearing a white gown with thin straps.

Enter to win a free wedding hosted by Arlington Public Library!

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Composite of 10 book covers with text "Books You Missed."

Great Books You Might Have Missed in 2024

Books that flew under the radar.

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Our Lady Queen of Peace

Read about Arlington’s historic Black Catholic church.

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Enter to Win a Wedding at the Library!

One couple will win a free wedding hosted by Arlington Public Library.

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Ballot Drop Box Locations at the Library

Deposit your mail ballot at one of the 24-hour, secure ballot drop boxes.

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Three Arlington Public Library employees smile outside of Shirlington Library, holding "Be part of shaping the future of Arlington Public Library" pamphlets and standing next to a "Community Voices Day" sign.

Director’s Message: An Update on the Future of Libraries

Explore the results of our latest community engagement project.

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Author Julia Quinn and a book cover of her Bridgerton Volume 1 series.

In 2025, Love Is In The Air At Arlington Public Library!

We believe in the power of love.

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Edu-Futuro: Preserving Latino Culture in Arlington

Read about Arlington’s Latino Culture.

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Link to Echoes of Little Saigon online exhibit.

Video: Authenticity in Native Literature and Film

With Dr. Devon A. Mihesuah, Author, Professor, and Native Advocate.

Video: History of the American Nazi Party in Arlington

With Local Author and Historian Charlie Clark.

Video: Melissa Márquez, Shark Scientist

Author of the “Wild Survival” Kids’ Adventure Series.

Video: Celebrate Pride with Author Alex Myers

Author and transgender advocate Alex Myers on how to help communities become more gender inclusive.

Video: Equity and Diversity in the Great Outdoors

Three local naturalists discuss the joys and challenges of their work in the field.

Video: “Off Our Chests” Author Talk with Dr. John and Liza Marshall

A surprisingly open memoir co-authored by the married duo of a world class oncologist and a cancer survivor.

Video: “We Refuse to Be Enemies: How Muslims and Jews Can Make Peace One Friendship at a Time “

Two American citizens, a Muslim woman and Jewish man, concerned with the rise of intolerance and bigotry in our country along with resurgent white nationalism.

Video: Marcia Chatelain, Author of “Franchise: The Golden Arches in Black America”

A surprising history of fast food companies, black capitalists, and civil rights leaders in the fight against racial inequality.

White woman with long brown hair faces the camera.

Video: Arlington Reads with Emma Brown

Brown discussed her book “To Raise a Boy,” an investigation into how we teach boys to be men—and how we can do better.

Video: Interview with Freddie Lutz

A lively conversation with the owner and operator of Freddie’s Beach Bar, Arlington’s only LGBTQ+, straight friendly restaurant and bar.

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Video: Arlington Reads Signature Author Laila Lalami

Laila Lalami discusses her life, her work, and the question, “What does it mean to be American?”

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Video: Arlington Reads with Jenny Offill

Acclaimed fiction writer joins us for a conversation about her latest work, “Weather.”

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REAL Archives Project:
Re-Encuentro de Arlington Latinos

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NextReads Newsletters

Subscribe: Receive monthly new book updates via email on your favorite genres, topics and age ranges.

Each newsletter features brand new releases, as well as gems and sleepers from our shelves.

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Staff Picks

book cover of art of losing. clicking links to the catalog record

The Art of Losing

From Algeria to France, three generations of a family grapple with war, identity, memory, and the legacies of colonialism. Evocative prose and vividly drawn characters make for a haunting story.

Jennie R

Arlington Public Library

2024-02-12T15:53:56-05:00

Jennie R

From Algeria to France, three generations of a family grapple with war, identity, memory, and the legacies of colonialism. Evocative prose and vividly drawn characters make for a haunting story.

https://library.arlingtonva.us/testimonials/the-art-of-losing/

link to Hana Khan Carries On catalog page

The not so typical Rom-Com: family Indian restaurant, food you can almost taste, Toronto, Muslim faith, standing up for your beliefs, handsome competition, racial confrontation, neighborhood unity, joy, love, friendship, hope. This book has it all and is a wonderful read.

Mike N

Arlington Public Library

2024-05-08T14:17:26-04:00

Mike N

https://library.arlingtonva.us/testimonials/hana-khan-carries-on/

All the Feels

An impulsive actor with a heart of gold plus a burned out ER therapist assigned to babysit him should equal disaster. But in this steamy, banter-filled romance, opposites attract as Alex and Lauren see beyond hard situations and surface impressions to find true love.

Jennie R

Arlington Public Library

2024-08-13T10:22:23-04:00

Jennie R

https://library.arlingtonva.us/testimonials/all-the-feels/

Convenience Store Woman

A funny and thought-provoking look at how much society demands conformity and the strain and stress those demands put on those who cannot. Short and easily readable with a breezy tone, it packs a deceptive punch.

Jennie R

Arlington Public Library

2022-08-04T12:00:54-04:00

Jennie R

https://library.arlingtonva.us/testimonials/convenience-store-woman/

The Great British Bump-Off

A fun graphic novel for fans of mysteries and the Great British Baking Show. This whodunit parodies the characters and format of the show, leaving readers both satisfied with the tasty treat they've enjoyed and hungry for the next crime.

Marna L

Arlington Public Library

2024-08-13T10:24:35-04:00

Marna L

https://library.arlingtonva.us/testimonials/the-great-british-bump-off/

Thinking 101

Ahn teaches a class on thinking at Yale University. It has quickly become one of the most popular classes. In Thinking 101, learn some of the many "thinking' biases we fall into and strategies for reasoning better. Learn how to live better by becoming aware of your own biases.

Karen G

Arlington Public Library

2024-08-13T10:19:41-04:00

Karen G

https://library.arlingtonva.us/testimonials/thinking-101/

Tea Dragon Society

Meet Greta, a young blacksmith who discovers tea dragons and the dying art of caring for them. This charming graphic novel leads her down a path of friendship and discovery. For anyone looking for a sweet, enchanting bit of fantasy.

Karen G

Arlington Public Library

2024-07-16T14:54:02-04:00

Karen G

https://library.arlingtonva.us/testimonials/tea-dragon-society/

The Celebrants

How does the death of a loved one change us? What are the choices and mistakes we make while trying to survive adulthood? Rowley gently explores these questions in his delightful novel about five 50-something friends with a decades-long pact to celebrate life and each other.

Alex Z

Arlington Public Library

2024-06-11T11:41:03-04:00

Alex Z

https://library.arlingtonva.us/testimonials/the-celebrants/

My Life as a Goddess

This series of essays reflects on the role pop culture has played in Branum's life. Part cultural commentary, part memoir, he is insightful and hilarious when discussing everything from Chelsea Handler to The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance.

Jennie R

Arlington Public Library

2024-06-11T11:33:40-04:00

Jennie R

https://library.arlingtonva.us/testimonials/my-life-as-a-goddess/

Winter’s Orbit

Winter's Orbit is a lively mix of science fiction, murder mystery, political thriller, and romance with some fantastic world-building and humor to tie it all together. For fans of The Captive Prince and The Murderbot Diaries.

Sarah D

Arlington Public Library

2024-06-10T15:00:15-04:00

Sarah D