Friends of the Arlington Public Library | Arlington, Virginia
Girl wearing cat ears looking at an animal pelt and boy smiling at animal display

BOOKS ARE ONLY THE BEGINNING

GET INVOLVED

BOOKS ARE ONLY THE BEGINNING

GET INVOLVED

WHO WE ARE

The Friends of the Arlington Public Library (FOAL) was incorporated as a non-profit organization in Virginia in 1986.

FOAL is a volunteer organization established to support our public library system in Arlington, Virginia. Our mission is to enable a strong, vibrant, engaged community using our libraries as a place to read, learn, work, create, congregate, and share ideas.

Arlington’s public library system is an incredible resource for increasing literacy and strengthening our community, and we strive to enhance its capabilities. To do so, we fund and support special events and programs at all branches, promote literacy through reading programs, and host storytimes and author events.

WHAT WE DO

The Friends of the Arlington Public Library help provide events and activities for our community throughout the year at all of our library locations and beyond.

Parents and children listening at Storytime at the Courthouse Library

We sponsor storytimes in our libraries to help with reading readiness.

STORYTIMES
AUTHOR EVENTS
Author and interviewer sitting in chairs on stage at Arlington Public Library Event

Listen to best selling authors talk about their work! Author Events are part of Arlington Reads, a program fully-funded by Friends.

Friends of Arlington Public Library Book Sale

Biannual book sales are FOAL's largest fundraisers. Book Sales usually occur in Spring and Fall. View upcoming books sales.

BOOK SALES
SUMMER READING PROGRAM
Woman on stage in front of group of kids for Summer Reading Puppet Theatre

Enjoy programs like puppet shows, storytimes, concerts, naturalist talks and much more all summer long.

women doing crafts at Arlington Library

Maker events happen at all library branches with financial support from Friends.

MAKER EVENTS
FOAL BOOKSTORES
FOAL Bookstore shelves

Find books in all genres year round at a FOAL bookstore. There's a store at every branch of the library.
Learn more here.

LEARN MORE

GET INVOLVED

Attend Events
Join Friends
Volunteer

OUR IMPACT: JULY 2023 - JUNE 2024

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Friends of the Arlington Public Library members

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Visitors to The Shop

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Completed the 2024 Summer Reading program
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Attendees at Arlington Reads author events

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Overall programs sponsored by FOAL for FY24
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Board games checked out

EXPLORE OUR GAMES

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Attendance at storytimes

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UPCOMING EVENTS

View All Upcoming Events At The Library

Spring Book Sale (FOAL Members Only)

April 3 @ 3:00 pm - 7:45 pm
Central Library Underground Garage
1015 N Quincy St
Arlington, VA 22201 United States

Spring Book Sale (Public)

April 4 @ 10:30 am - 4:45 pm
Central Library Underground Garage
1015 N Quincy St
Arlington, VA 22201 United States

Spring Book Sale (Public)

April 5 @ 10:30 am - 4:45 pm
Central Library Underground Garage
1015 N Quincy St
Arlington, VA 22201 United States

Spring Book Sale (Half-Priced Day)

April 6 @ 10:30 am - 4:45 pm
Central Library Underground Garage
1015 N Quincy St
Arlington, VA 22201 United States
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It's funny that we think of libraries as quiet demure places where we are shushed by dusty, bun-balancing, bespectacled women. The truth is libraries are raucous clubhouses for free speech, controversy and community. Librarians have stood up to the Patriot Act, sat down with noisy toddlers and reached out to illiterate adults. Libraries can never be shushed.”

- Paula Poundstone