Arlington Public Library

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Discover New Grab & Go Titles, and Read-Alike Lists

Have you borrowed a popular book or eBook from our Grab & Go express book collection?

Did you love what you read?

Browse our Grab & Go Read-Alike Book Lists to find more great books!

The Library's new Grab & Go collection, which launched last year, gives you quick access to the most popular books and eBooks without having to wait. The express book collection consists of over 900 items, with more on the way.

These New York Times bestselling titles will soon be included: “Such a Fun Age” by Kiley Reid, “Say Nothing” by Patrick Radden Keefe, “The Topeka School” by Ben Lerner, and “Long Bright River” by Liz Moore.

“Six months later, this initiative has been a tremendous success story,” said Peter Petruski, Division Chief for Materials and Technology Management. "Grab & Go books have been flying off our cyber and branch shelves."

Look for the Grab & Go express book collection on designated shelves at Central Library and the Branch Libraries. Grab & Go titles do not display in the online catalog, so the only way to know if a book is on the shelf is the visit the Library!

Arlington Kids: 2020 LEGO Creations

On exhibit at January 1 - 31, 2020.

Close up of "Beautiful Venice" by Henry, age 8.  On exhibit at Central Library.

Congratulations to all the LEGO builders with work on display this month in the 2020 LEGO Creations exhibit!

Stop by Central Library, the Aurora Hills, Cherrydale, Columbia Pike, Glencarlyn and Shirlington Branches until January 31 to see all the imaginations on exhibit this year.

2020 Winter Reading Challenge

Wednesday, Jan. 1 – Sunday, March 1

How to Participate

  • Pick up a Winter Reading 2019 bookmark at any Library location.
  • Read 3 books of your choosing.
  • Track your reading on the Winter Reading 2019 bookmark.
  • Return your completed Winter Reading 2019 bookmark to any Library location to claim a prize.

Prizes

  • Kids – Dover activity book
  • Teens – Choice of a blank journal OR the adult prize
  • Adults – Coupon for a free book from any of the ongoing Friend’s of the Arlington Public Library book sales, at Central Library or any of the Branches. Coupon must be redeemed by March 15; when coupon is redeemed, you will be entered into a raffle to win a set of books by our spring 2020 Arlington Reads authors.

Hot Chocolate Party – Saturday, March 14, 2-4 p.m.

Celebrate Winter Reading with hot chocolate, snacks, crafts, door prizes and more!

2019 in Review

Thank You for Another Great Year!

We’ve collected some of the best Library moments of 2019 — from storytime with the Washington Nationals, to opening our new Makerspace, to launching the Grab & Go express collection.

Watch our 2019 Year in Review video.

dianekresh

What is it about a library that keeps its patrons coming back for more, year after year?

I can think of a few reasons.

Libraries are judgement free zones — safe spaces that welcome all who enter their doors, regardless of beliefs, gender preferences, country of origin, age, income status, education or appearance.

Libraries increase our understanding of the world we live in. Whether it’s the 26 square miles of our community or the nations beyond our borders, libraries keep us informed and curious.

Libraries help people find their way and those who are alone find connection and companionship.

Libraries celebrate history and culture and honor the personal
stories of those who came before. Susan Orlean, author of “The Library Book,” describes the library as “a gathering pool of narratives and of the people who come to find them. It is where we can glimpse immortality; in the library, we can live forever.”

Library staff do what they do with empathy, generosity and creativity.

Our services are free.

These are a few of our reasons. We bet you can name others.

Thank you for giving Arlington Public Library many reasons to be.

Diane

Scrawled DK signature

Read the Complete 2019 Impact Report (pdf)

2019 Year in Review

What is it about a library that keeps its patrons coming back for more, year after year?

I can think of a few reasons.

dianekresh

Libraries are judgement free zones — safe spaces that welcome all who enter their doors, regardless of beliefs, gender preferences, country of origin, age, income status, education or appearance.

Libraries increase our understanding of the world we live in. Whether it’s the 26 square miles of our community or the nations beyond our borders, libraries keep us informed and curious.

Libraries help people find their way and those who are alone find connection and companionship.

Libraries celebrate history and culture and honor the personal
stories of those who came before. Susan Orlean, author of “The Library Book,” describes the library as “a gathering pool of narratives and of the people who come to find them. It is where we can glimpse immortality; in the library, we can live forever.”

Library staff do what they do with empathy, generosity and creativity.

Our services are free.

These are a few of our reasons. We bet you can name others.

Thank you for giving Arlington Public Library many reasons to be.

Diane

Scrawled DK signature
Read the Complete 2019 Impact Report (pdf)

Updated Holiday Closings

Please Note the Following County Updates

  • December 24, 25 - Arlington County Government offices, courts, Library and facilities will be closed Tuesday, Dec. 24 – Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2019, for Christmas.
  • December 31 - All Library locations will close at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 31
  • January 1 - Arlington County Government offices, courts, Library and facilities will be closed Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2020 for New Year's Day.

We apologize for any invonvenience this may cause.

What Was Most Popular in 2019?

Our Annual List of the 100 Top Titles In Arlington

It's safe to say that Arlington is a reading town - and you have excellent taste!

The 100 most popular titles in 2019 include memoirs, thrillers, history, mythology, dystopia, romance and adventure, as well as magazines, DVDs and a whole lot of Elephant and Piggy!

Which of the Top 100 Have You Read (or Watched)?

The list is organized from left to right, in descending rows: "Educated" had the most checkouts in 2019, "Becoming" had the second most checkouts, etc. Use the genre/format/audience buttons to limit the list to only items within that genre, format or audience.

Please note: As in previous years, the Top 100 of 2019 list only tracks borrowing data for physical materials at all Library locations between January and November.

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