Arlington Public Library

Link to Asian American Pacific Heritage Food book list.

Link to Asian-American Mysteries book list.

BOOK LISTS →

Title art for The Downstairs Girl, featuring a photo of a Chinese American woman in 1890s dress.

Celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month with book clubs, a recipe comics workshop, and more!

FEATURED EVENTS

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For

Babies, Kids & Teens

Job Seekers

Makers & Crafters

Book Lovers

Union Army Balloon Corp

Arlington is home to the first use of hot air balloons for aerial reconnaissance by the United States military.

New Library App Arrives in May!

Available in May on Google Play and Apple App Store!

Participants and "human books" conversing at Central Library. Photo credit Daniel Rosenbaum.

Director’s Message: Reflections on the Human Library

A promise of increased understanding and mutual respect

Orville Wright Takes Flight at Ft. Myer

Orville Wright conducted flight tests for the Army at Ft. Myer in 1908-1909

Library Director Diane Kresh smiles at her desk, with a bookshelf and cherry blossoms outside visible in the background.

Director’s Message for National Library Week

There’s more to our story.

A collage of films available on Kanopy. Text reads "Explore a world of cinema with Kanopy. Films that matter. Start today at kanopy.com. Films may vary by country and library."

New: stream films and TV free with Kanopy!

Watch amazing titles from anywhere.

A person with blue hair and a partly visible tattoo wearing a shirt that reads "I am a book of the Human Library" speaks with several people.

The Human Library Comes to Arlington

Apr. 29, check out a person—not a book.

Illustration of graphic novel author Jerry Craft.

Our shelves are blooming with fresh new reads.

Place your holds now!

Shoppers browsing tables with used books.

2023 Spring Book Sale

Support library programs and enjoy amazing deals Apr. 20-23.

Artwork of a sun over houses and buildings. Text on the sun reads: Welcome to Arlingtown, where little learners play

Spring brings playspaces and tool lending!

Now open: Arlingtown playspaces and The Shed

Dawson House

The Dawson House is the only surviving stone structure in the county dating to the 18th or 19th century

Graphic or door handle with text "Read, Dream, Build."

Participate In a Community Puzzle at Shirlington Library

Test your knowledge of the Village at Shirlington.

Fire Battalion Chief Judith Brewer

Arlington’s First Female Firefighter

Video: Arlington Reads with Jerry Craft

Author of “New Kid” and “School Trip” Available for viewing until May 27.

Big Book Podcast: Things Fall Apart

S4, Ep.2: Going back to High School with Chinua Achebe.

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.

Photo of a white woman with long curly dark hair facing the camera.

Video: Arlington Reads Signature Author Laila Lalami

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

White woman with brown hair, looking at the camera

Video: Arlington Reads with Jenny Offill

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

Want Library News and Collection Updates?

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.

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Read and Listen

eAudiobooks from OverDrive

Fiction, nonfiction, sci-fi, detective, romance and more.

NextReads Newsletters

Discover new titles and overlooked gems in your favorite genres.

SYNC Audiobooks for Spring and Summer

Get two free YA audiobooks each week, April – August.

Staff Picks

It's not easy being your best friend's personal assistant--especially when she's also a superhero (and diva.) But when the world is about to end and Evie's job duties reveal her own super powers? The fun, action-packed result will have you reaching for the sequel.

Jennie R

Arlington Public Library

2023-01-19T11:48:25-05:00

Jennie R

https://library.arlingtonva.us/testimonials/holiday-heroine/

How We Got to Now

In this Young Reader's Edition, Johnson describes how the developments surrounding glass, refrigeration, sound, cleanliness, time and light have shaped our current world. Learn how 19th century train routes impact the current time zones and other ways that we got to now.

Sarah C

Arlington Public Library

2023-01-19T11:52:17-05:00

Sarah C

https://library.arlingtonva.us/testimonials/how-we-got-to-now/

My Life in France

Vibrant, witty, and bursting with delicious-sounding food, My Life in France is not only a memoir. It’s also biography of Julia Child’s transformative cookbook Mastering the Art of French Cooking and the years-long labor of love that led to its creation.

Anna W

Arlington Public Library

2023-01-19T11:58:16-05:00

Anna W

https://library.arlingtonva.us/testimonials/my-life-in-france/

Aces Wild

17-year-old Jack’s mother has been arrested for crimes related to the Las Vegas casino she runs. He turns to his four best friends—asexual teens he only knows from online—to help him investigate his mom’s rival. Pick this up if you are looking for a fast-paced heist!

Michelle M

Arlington Public Library

2023-01-19T12:00:26-05:00

Michelle M

https://library.arlingtonva.us/testimonials/aces-wild/

The Lost Village

There are two entangled mysteries- what happened to the villagers in the past and what's happening to the film crew now? It's unsettling and creepy and will keep you guessing on where the threats lie and what threats could remain decades later. The audiobook is captivating.

Chrysalis C

Arlington Public Library

2023-01-19T12:03:19-05:00

Chrysalis C

https://library.arlingtonva.us/testimonials/the-lost-village/

The All-Consuming World

Maya needs her mercenary crew back for one last stab at a heist gone wrong. Unfortunately, her shoot-first attitude might get in the way. Beneath the layers of unresolved grudges, murderous AI starship, and vulgar punk rock violence, the author delivers a tale of redemption.

Cuong N

Arlington Public Library

2023-01-19T12:05:07-05:00

Cuong N

https://library.arlingtonva.us/testimonials/the-all-consuming-world/

Blue-Skinned Gods

A complicated story that surprises and challenges the reader. What is faith? What is faith in the face of facts? What is identity? Who has the power to “name” an individual? This story brings to life beautifully the challenges of perception, reality, and belonging.

Anneliesa A

Arlington Public Library

2023-01-19T12:07:10-05:00

Anneliesa A

https://library.arlingtonva.us/testimonials/blue-skinned-gods/

We are the Baby-Sitters Club

If you grew up in the 90s, you were probably a fan of the BSC series. This essay collection is filled with nostalgia like how you dotted your i's with hearts or tried to imitate Claudia's wardrobe. Look back at the series with grown-up eyes and say hello to your old friends!

Deborah K

Arlington Public Library

2023-01-19T12:09:05-05:00

Deborah K

https://library.arlingtonva.us/testimonials/we-are-the-baby-sitters-club/

Paradise Falls

The compelling story of the public health crisis and environmental disaster of Love Canal, both well told by the author and well read by the narrator. For readers who appreciated Blood in the Water and She Said.

Sarah D

Arlington Public Library

2023-01-19T12:44:32-05:00

Sarah D

https://library.arlingtonva.us/testimonials/paradise-falls/

Almost American Girl

An amazing and beautiful coming-of-age story about surviving high school in a new country, with a new language and a new step-family. It's also a poignant reminder how our parents' actions appear more human and heroic the older we get and more we understand them.

Charlotte M

Arlington Public Library

2023-01-19T12:46:40-05:00

Charlotte M