Can you guess the location of these images?
Here are a few clues:
- The photos were taken in the early 1960s, shortly after the building was completed.
- This building was the first publicly financed construction project for this County department, and has housed this department since the 1960s - although it underwent a major renovation in the early 1990s.
- In 1995, the department installed the first public internet terminals with the help of a grant.
If you guessed that the photos feature Central Library, you are correct!
Although Central Library no longer looks the way it did in these photos, the spirit of the Library has remained the same – to serve the residents of Arlington County and create space for culture and connection.
To learn more about the history of Arlington Public Library visit The Center for Local History's online exhibit “Women’s Work.”
To see more photos from Arlington’s diverse history visit the Center for Local History, located on the 1st floor of Central Library.
I’m a former Arlington resident and I love these newsletters that hit bothe on current and historical topics. Keep them coming!
I would LOVE to see photos of the Columbia Pike Library in the 50’s. In the hot summer months of 1954 I would walk there from the Oakland Apartment, in my kiddie togs, happily looking forward to the weekly get together of the summer book club for kids. What joy as I opened that screen door to be greeted by the rush of Cool air-conditioned air, AND the smiling faces of my reading club buddies and the friendly librarian!!