Director’s Message: a 2024 too long, yet not long enough

First, a story...

Library Director Diane Kresh leans over a table in conversation with a young girl during a book sale in the Central Library parking garage. Another library volunteer wearing a green apron is engaged nearby. The table is surrounded by books and event signage, with a colorful backdrop featuring illustrations of books and trees.

Chrysalis, one of our youth services librarians, shared this story with me:

"A few weeks ago, I was chatting with a mom and daughter before storytime who have attended regularly for a couple years now. She mentioned that her child loves playing librarian with their bookshelf at home, taking the books down to read, then putting them all back on the shelf.

Her daughter doesn’t quite understand what a librarian is yet, but she knows it has something to do with books. One day, she had pulled off all of her books to read and as she went to put them away, she looked at the pile of books and said:

'I am a librarian, and there is much work to be done.'"

Indeed.

2024 was a year that both ran too long yet not long enough. Let me explain. Too long to witness the tragedies and heartbreak encircling the globe. Not long enough to do all the things we librarians strive to do each day—inform, preserve, protect—to hold the people of our communities in shared humanity, focusing on unity.

Deaf Plus Advocate Jeremy Smith, wearing a red cap and glasses, signs expressively in conversation with a participant during Arlington Public Library's Human Library event. A sign on the table identifies his topic, 'My DeafPlus Life,' as part of the program. The library's open and modern space is visible in the background, with other participants seated at tables.

A joyful moment during a Naturalization Ceremony at Central Library, with a woman in a teal cardigan proudly waving a small American flag. She is surrounded by other participants, some holding flags and official documents from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, all celebrating their new citizenship.

Typically, this Director’s Message recaps our previous year.

Here goes:

The books I read: debut authors (Essie Chambers) and old masters (Charles Dickens, Jean Stafford). Favorites included Louise Erdrich and Kate Atkinson and prize winners such as “James” by Percival Everett and “Orbital” by Samantha Harvey, as well as “Held” by Anne Michaels.

The Mountain Lion by Jean Stafford: A minimalist design with a pink background and vertical, irregular golden lines resembling cliffs or trees. A small black silhouette of a mountain lion stands in the center of the cover, with a red sun behind it. The title and author’s name are displayed in bold, hand-drawn font.

James by Percival Everett: A strikingly simple black cover with a bold, golden "J" dominating the space. The silhouette of a figure carrying a bag is incorporated into the curve of the "J." The author’s name and “A Novel” are in smaller text below.

There were writers whose every word I hung on, Claire Keegan as an example. New York Times list toppers (Elena Ferrante), and surprises such as “The Chilbury Ladies’ Choir” by Jennifer Ryan. Books about books: “The Reading List” by Sara Nisha Adams. And romance novels by Casey McQuiston and Dolly Alderton in anticipation of “Share the Love,” the 2025 Arlington Reads theme—a celebration of love in all of its manifestations and a chance to get beyond ourselves and into the hearts and minds of others.

The Chilbury Ladies’ Choir by Jennifer Ryan: The cover depicts women in vintage dresses seated on a wooden bench. The title is written in elegant, bold text, surrounded by musical notes along the top border, emphasizing the choir theme.

The Reading List by Sara Nisha Adams: A lively and colorful cover featuring a cascade of open books in vibrant hues of yellow, green, pink, and orange against a bright yellow background. The title is in bold, white text in the center.

One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston: A purple cover with subway map lines running diagonally across. Two circular illustrations show the faces of two women, suggesting a romantic connection. The title is in large, bold text, and the cover includes a signed edition stamp and a “new bonus chapter” mention.

My full reading list appears on Goodreads. In the new year, I am switching to StoryGraph to join a new community of book lovers. I hope many of you will connect with me there. If you struggle with finding either the time or the inclination to read, check out this piece from Axios. Lots of tips to spark one’s inner reader.

The 2024 Arlington Reads homage to James Baldwin underscored what a towering presence he remains in American literature. Likewise, our celebration of Afrofuturism introduced us to groundbreaking storytelling.

The Human Library and the Holiday Gift Nook returned—strong reminders Arlington residents are full to bursting with empathy and generosity. Thank you to all who participated.

The Shed, The Shop, our bookstores and gardens, GameFest and the creative Instagram reels, kept us nourished, curious, entertained and connected. Thank you to our talented library staff and volunteers.

A mother and young child explore a table filled with colorful toys at Arlington Public Library's Holiday Gift Nook. The mother, wearing a yellow scarf with a pattern, holds the child as they reach out toward a blue toy helicopter. The background features a frosted glass wall with a map-like design, adding a festive yet modern ambiance to the event. The table is stocked with various toys and games, creating a cheerful and family-friendly atmosphere.

A group of participants enjoys a board game at Arlington Public Library's GameFest event. A young boy wearing a green hoodie focuses intently on his game piece while an adult next to him, smiling and wearing sunglasses on his head, watches attentively. Other players, including a woman in a striped sweater and additional participants blurred in the foreground, are engaged in the activity. A colorful game setup with dice and cards is spread across the table, creating a fun and interactive atmosphere in the library space. A mounted TV screen is visible in the background.

The library’s patrons showed up. Our annual circulation broke records: eCirculation grew by more than 40% and many thousands of Arlingtonians attended more than 3,500 programs. Our patrons expressed good wishes in letters, emails and in person, further grounding our commitments to social justice, compassion and fairness.

The Library’s goals for 2025 remain the same. To hear and respond to those whose voices we have occasionally tuned out. To see those who live on the margins. To do our best each day for ourselves and for each other.

A large group photo of Arlington Public Library staff gathered at a holiday party. The group is diverse, with attendees dressed in festive attire, including holiday sweaters, bright scarves, and red accents. Some individuals wear name tags, and a few in the front row are seated on the floor, smiling cheerfully. In the background, a presentation screen displays text about the upcoming APL Trivia Tournament, set for Spring 2025. The atmosphere is warm and joyful, showcasing camaraderie and celebration among the staff.

From the staff and volunteers of Arlington Public Library and the members of the Friends of the Arlington Public Library, we wish you all the best for 2025! There is much work to be done.