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Operations Alert: Elevator is Available on G1, Central Library More Info

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No Youth Services, programs, events or meeting rooms; Central and Columbia Pike open for Wi-Fi and Public PC use; All other Library locations closed

Post Published: March 13, 2020

Saturday March 14 – Sunday, March 15

  • All Library locations closed
  • All Meeting Room reservations canceled
  • All Library programs canceled

Beginning Monday, March 16

Central Library and the Columbia Pike Branch plan to reopen on their regular schedule for Wi-Fi and public PC use for adults and students. All other Library locations will remain closed.

  • Adults: Self service access to adult materials available
  • Kids and YA: Youth Services access closed to all at this time
  • Events and Programs: Canceled
  • AARP Tax Prep Help: Suspended until further notice
  • Center for Local History, The Shed and The Shop: Closed
  • Meeting Rooms: Closed (reservations canceled until further notice)
  • Friends of the Library Book Store - Closed
  • Holds: No new holds on physical items will be processed. Existing holds at Central and Columbia Pike may be picked up. Holds currently at other locations will be remain on the shelf.
  • Interlibrary Loan - Suspended until further notice. If you currently have an ILL book checked out, please hold it until the Library resumes normal operation; you will not be charged any overdue fines.
  • Books by Mail - Suspended until further notice.
  • Talking Books - Suspended until further notice. If you currently have Talking Books cartridges checked out, please hold them until the Library resumes normal operation.
  • Returns: All exterior branch book drops will be available

Fine and library cards renewals:

  • All fines and due dates on physical materials are suspended until further notice.
  • Any library cards expiring between March 1 and May 1 now expire on June 1.

Our online services are available 24/7 with your library card.

Arlington Public Library continues to assess COVID-19 Coronavirus information day by day. The information in this message is subject to change as the situation develops.

Learn more about how Arlington County is responding to COVID-19.

March 13, 2020 by Web Editor Filed Under: App, News

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Roman Carlitti says

    March 13, 2020 at 8:13 PM

    Good evening,

    I accidentally left my car in the Central Library garage and wasn’t able to retrieve it tonight (Friday, 3/13). Is there any way to get it out before Monday? Will the garage open on Saturday (3/14) for Arlington Parks?

    • Web Editor says

      March 13, 2020 at 8:40 PM

      Roman,

      I have forwarded your email on to someone who will be in touch with you tomorrow morning.

  2. Colleen says

    March 13, 2020 at 9:26 PM

    One clarification – will there be access at Central library to borrow children’s books?

    One suggestion – unless the issue is employee safety (understand if so), doing holds would be a great way to allow folks to keep accessing books while practicing social distancing by preventing browsing the stacks. You could mark spots on the check out line that are 6’ away from each other!

    • Web Editor says

      March 14, 2020 at 10:55 AM

      Colleen,
      There will not be access to the children and teens areas or childrens/teen books next week.

    • Web Editor says

      March 15, 2020 at 9:01 PM

      Colleen,
      You are correct, the issue is employee safety.

  3. George Shaner says

    March 14, 2020 at 7:56 AM

    How are you handling interlibrary loan returns?

    • Web Editor says

      March 14, 2020 at 10:45 AM

      George,

      We are working out details like that now, and will let you know as soon as possible.

  4. Kristina Gray says

    March 14, 2020 at 8:55 AM

    Can we check out books or are the Central and Columbia Pike libraries only available for computer and WiFi use?

    • Web Editor says

      March 14, 2020 at 10:46 AM

      Kristina,
      At the moment, the plan is for you to be able to check books out of the adult collections at both Central and Columbia Pike.

    • Kristina Gray says

      March 15, 2020 at 11:43 AM

      Thanks so much for the quick response. Hoping to check out children’s books soon! 🙏🏽

  5. Barbara says

    March 14, 2020 at 10:31 AM

    Would have appreciated a little notice about closing. I had checked Friday late afternoon and there was a notice, so wasted a trip Saturday a.m.

    • Web Editor says

      March 14, 2020 at 10:53 AM

      Barbara,
      We completely understand. Unfortunately, this has been a fast moving situation, and it has been hard to communicate as efficiently and effectively as we would like. As soon as we were able to Friday night, we posted the information on our FB and Twitter accounts, and sent an email to all patrons.

      If you do not receive our news by email, you can sign up using this form: https://library.arlingtonva.us/connect/subscribe/

  6. Mary says

    March 14, 2020 at 12:21 PM

    Thank you for all that you are doing for out community ❤️

    • Tom Cassidy says

      March 14, 2020 at 2:47 PM

      Mary said it well! Our community is enriched by a spectacular team of librarians and a wonderful library system.

  7. Barbara Dean says

    March 14, 2020 at 2:02 PM

    Thank you for all you are doing to keep everone safe. This must be a very difficult time for everyone on the staff.

  8. Lucinda says

    March 14, 2020 at 2:19 PM

    Agree with the poster who said thank you for all the librarians are doing. I am finding it challenging enough to figure out the rules just for my three kids, I can’t imagine the challenge of trying to navigate a policy for the entire Library system with so much unknown and with minute to minute changes. It is like a skydiver jumping out of a plane, then getting the word that the landing spot has been moved!

  9. Joedy says

    March 14, 2020 at 2:30 PM

    Will the FOAL used bookstore at Central Library be open on the same schedule as the library?

    • Web Editor says

      March 15, 2020 at 8:50 PM

      Joedy,
      Good question. Probably, but we won’t know for certain until Monday.

    • Web Editor says

      March 16, 2020 at 1:31 PM

      I have just received word that the Book Store will remain closed.

  10. Mark says

    March 14, 2020 at 2:31 PM

    Thank you for allowing adult books to be checked out. If this goes on a while maybe you can let adults check out books for their children also.

    FYI, I DID receive the email notice Friday about the closing; I recommend others sign up.

  11. MARY BETH DAVIS says

    March 14, 2020 at 2:54 PM

    I’m a volunteer @ Shirlington library. I have MS. Your decision to close the libraries is the RIGHT DECISION. All of you do A GREAT JOB and please stay safe.

  12. Cathy Cortes says

    March 14, 2020 at 2:56 PM

    Will AARP tax services still be available at Columbia Pike and Central?

    Makes me appreciate Arlington’s libraries even more. Hopefully, you can open again in a few weeks.

    Thank you and take care.

    • Web Editor says

      March 15, 2020 at 8:55 PM

      Cathy,
      We will have more information for you on Monday.

  13. Susan Dennis says

    March 14, 2020 at 3:41 PM

    AARP-TaxAide is closed. Since we don’t know when help will become available, and if you are concerned about filing your taxes on time, you can file for an extension. You can get Form 4828 on line at http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f4868.pdf. The extension will give you an additional 6 months (until October 15) to file–but not to pay–your tax. You can also file it electronically at https://www.irs.gov/filing/free-file-do-your-federal-taxes-for-free.

  14. Brandon says

    March 14, 2020 at 5:15 PM

    When will the neighborhood branches reopen?

    • Web Editor says

      March 15, 2020 at 9:03 PM

      Brandon,
      We will announce that info as soon as we are able.

  15. Mary says

    March 14, 2020 at 5:19 PM

    Is the Anne Patchett event Thursday evening cancelled?

    • Web Editor says

      March 15, 2020 at 9:04 PM

      Mary,
      Yes, all Library events and programs are currently canceled.

  16. Mary B Kadera says

    March 14, 2020 at 7:05 PM

    Is it possible for adults to visit the childrens and YA sections (without kids present) to check out books for them? With schools closed for 4 weeks this would be helpful–but if it’s not possible I understand.

    • Web Editor says

      March 15, 2020 at 9:04 PM

      Mary,
      Not at the moment. Thank you for your understanding.

  17. Makenzie says

    March 14, 2020 at 8:41 PM

    I had a hold that was valid through today for Central library and was planning to come today to get it, as I worked very late hours during the week and wasn’t able to get it earlier. Could I get my hold extended to the first day that Central library opens back up (right now planned for Monday)?

    • Web Editor says

      March 15, 2020 at 9:07 PM

      Makenzie,
      Holds currently on the hold shelves at Central and Columbia Pike – and all the Branches – will remain on the hold shelves until we resume normal operations. So you can still come in to Central Library and use a self check machine to check it out.

  18. Betsy says

    March 15, 2020 at 10:29 AM

    Will you be live-streaming the Ann Patchett talk on Thursday or is it completely canceled? Thanks.

    • Web Editor says

      March 15, 2020 at 9:08 PM

      Betsy,
      Ann Patchett is completely canceled.

  19. Suzette says

    March 15, 2020 at 11:16 AM

    I just got a notice that a hold is ready to be picked up at one of the closed libraries. Is it possible to get that book transferred to one of the open libraries?

    • Web Editor says

      March 15, 2020 at 9:10 PM

      Suzette,
      At this time it is not possible to transfer hold from other locations to one of the open libraries.

  20. Ron Trueworthy says

    March 15, 2020 at 11:55 AM

    Please assure that the county-wide holds system is reinstated at this time of increased need even if books can only be picked up at Central or Columbia Pike. We need your essential service (providing books) more than ever as we are advised to cocoon at home. Clearly other area library systems have understood their mission, and avoided cutting off access to the majority of their book holdings. Arlington Library needs to re-think this decision immediately.

  21. Ann says

    March 15, 2020 at 12:42 PM

    Thanks for keeping the Central Library open. Reading is a wonderful way to pass time. I can’t afford to order enough books for a month from Amazon. So I will be able save $$$ by using the Central Library.

  22. Neil Hopper says

    March 15, 2020 at 1:26 PM

    Very happy to have the services that are still available. Many thanks to the staff in all positions!

  23. Alicia says

    March 15, 2020 at 2:10 PM

    Will tax services for seniors be cancelled this week also? My mother has an appointment scheduled on Tuesday.

    • Web Editor says

      March 15, 2020 at 9:20 PM

      Alicia,
      I believe that AARP Tax Help has been suspended, based on Susan Dennis’s comment above. She wrote:
      “AARP-TaxAide is closed. Since we don’t know when help will become available, and if you are concerned about filing your taxes on time, you can file for an extension. You can get Form 4828 on line at http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f4868.pdf. The extension will give you an additional 6 months (until October 15) to file–but not to pay–your tax. You can also file it electronically at https://www.irs.gov/filing/free-file-do-your-federal-taxes-for-free.”

  24. Edward Gomez says

    March 15, 2020 at 3:01 PM

    I have two books on hold for pickup at the Shirlington branch by 3/18 and 3/19. Since Shirlington is closed, when could I pick them up?

    • Web Editor says

      March 15, 2020 at 9:22 PM

      Edward,
      Your books will stay on the hold shelf at Shirlington until we are able to open that branch again. Unfortunately, we don’t currently know when that will be, but we will let you know as soon as we can.

      • Edward Gomez says

        March 16, 2020 at 5:52 PM

        Thank You!

  25. Nicole says

    March 15, 2020 at 5:32 PM

    The library staff and leadership are doing an amazing job, thank you all so much for the timely decision making and good communication!

  26. Launa says

    March 15, 2020 at 7:11 PM

    Thank you, Arlington Public Libraries, for being part of the solution and limiting access for everyone’s safety. Boy, did I miss you this weekend, and also I respect that you are doing the right thing.

  27. Yolanda says

    March 15, 2020 at 8:27 PM

    Will tax assistance be available at (Central and Columbia Pike) a later time if that has been cancelled?

    • Web Editor says

      March 15, 2020 at 9:31 PM

      Yolanda,
      That is a good question, and unfortunately at this point I don’t have an answer.

  28. Makenzie says

    March 16, 2020 at 10:26 AM

    Thank you!

    Also I really appreciate all the work you guys are doing to keep up operations as much as possible while also keeping people and your staff safe 🙂 So thank you!!

  29. Betty Landesman says

    March 16, 2020 at 11:24 AM

    Is printing from the PC’s available?

    • Web Editor says

      March 16, 2020 at 11:32 AM

      Betty,
      It should be.

  30. Henry says

    March 17, 2020 at 8:28 AM

    Is the general seating area open at Central Library? I am talking about the area with all the open tables that are first come first serve.

    • Web Editor says

      March 17, 2020 at 12:34 PM

      Henry,

      At the moment, yes.

  31. Monique says

    March 17, 2020 at 12:31 PM

    I am so appreciative that Central’s PCs and printers are still available for use. I hope it continues. I also appreciate the increased personal space and cleanliness around the computer stations. Having this resource during this uncertain time is so helpful as I navigate working from home. I know a lot of people still need this access, so thank you!

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