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Arlington Public Library

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Connections: Short Story Writing Contest

Summer Reading 2020 - Open to Teens and Adults

Submission Dates: June 1 - August 14

Adults and teens are invited to submit a work of short fiction for consideration in Arlington Public Library’s second annual short story writing contest.

drawing on a fountain pen made up of dots

Entries will be judged by a committee of Arlington Public Library staff.

Prizes:

Prizes will be awarded for the top three entries in both the teen and adult categories, and the winning stories will be published on the Library website.

  • First place: $200 Visa Gift Card
  • Second place: $100 Visa Gift Card
  • Third place: $50 Visa Gift Card

Adult Contest Rules and Submission Guidelines:

  • Stories with a theme of “Connections” are encouraged.
  • Participants must be at least 18 years of age as of August 14, 2020, and eligible for an Arlington Public Library card.
  • All entries must be submitted online using the Library submission form.
  • Submissions must be received between June 1 and August 14, 2020.
  • Stories must be 3,000 words or less.
  • Only one story may be submitted per writer.
  • The submitted document should include a title page containing:
    • Story title
    • Author’s name
    • Address
    • Phone number
    • Email address
  • All stories must be original and previously unpublished.
  • Story content should be appropriate for a wide audience.

Teen Contest Rules and Submission Guidelines:

  • Participants must be between 13 and 17 years of age as of August 14, 2020 and eligible for an Arlington Public Library card.
  • All entries must be submitted online using the Library submission form.
  • Submissions must be received between June 1 and August 14, 2020.
  • Stories must be 1,200 words or less.
  • Only one story may be submitted per writer.
  • The submitted document should include a title page containing:
    • Story title
    • Author’s name
    • Author's age
    • Address
    • Phone number
    • Email address
  • All stories must be original and previously unpublished.
  • Story content should be appropriate for a wide audience.

Entries that do not meet the above guidelines will be disqualified from judging.

In addition, winning entrants agree to have their story published on the Arlington Public Library website.

Submissions Open Monday, June 1

Changes Ahead: A Message from the Library Director

Dear Friends,

For the past few weeks, staff of Arlington Public Library have been preparing for reopening. We have missed being at the Library and know you have, too.

As we move forward, all of us remain committed to our mission and to the health and safety of our library patrons, staff and volunteers. We will strive to bring you the best Library service possible, while limiting physical access.

Changes to our service are on the way:

  1. Holds – Starting mid-June, Arlington Public Library will offer a walk-in/walk-out service for hold pickups and book bundles in the auditorium at Central Library. Operating hours for the holds pickup service are being decided and we will communicate details as we have them. Computers, self-check stations, and meeting rooms will not be available for use. All branch locations will remain closed at this time; starting in mid-June returns will also be accepted via book drop at all branches.
  2. Masks – In accordance with Governor Ralph S. Northam’s Executive Order Number 63, both patrons and staff are required to wear masks and observe social distancing at all times when in a library building.
  3. Account System – We are upgrading the Library’s account system. This change has been long-planned and will enable us to serve you more effectively.
  4. Summer Reading – The Library’s annual Summer Reading Challenge will start June 1, and this year we’re going digital. Stay tuned for more details next week.
  5. Arlington READS – Continues virtually: In June, we will host a conversation with Brooke Gladstone, journalist, author, media analyst, and co-host and managing editor of the WNYC radio program “On the Media.” And in July, we are thrilled to present Pulitzer Prize-winning author, Colson Whitehead (“The Underground Railroad”and “The Nickel Boys”). Stay tuned for details; both programs promise to be lively and engaging.

We recognize there is no replacement for an in-person, full-service library experience. Over the years, the staff and I have been honored to serve the community of Arlington and have always tried to strike a balance between the high tech of our digital content and the high touch of our popular story times and author events. We cherish the relationships we have developed with each one of you and look forward to better times. Please know that we are thinking of all of you and that together, we will get through this.

We ask that you check our website and social media platforms on Facebook and Twitter for updates.

We are living in unprecedented times. Please send materials documenting your experience to the COVID-19 Archives Project and help tell Arlington’s story of the pandemic.

And we urge you to contribute to “Quaranzine,” our weekly Zine of poetry, photography, prose and drawings. We have been inspired by the creativity and artistry expressed in each issue.

Stay well and hopeful, we are here for you.

Signature of Diane Kresh

Diane Kresh

Director, Arlington Public Library

 

Library System Upgrade to Start Friday, May 29

How to Prepare Your Account for the Upgrade

Starting next week, the Library will begin preparations for a system upgrade, which will affect all Library patron accounts.

Fine payments will be unavailable after 5 p.m. on Friday, May 29. There will be a system transition from Friday, June 5 – Wednesday, June 10, during which time some account features will be unavailable. During the transition, access to eBooks and eAudiobooks will still be available. The upgrades will be completed by June 15.

What does this mean for your Library account?

Fine Payment

  • The Library’s fine payment system will be unavailable for approximately two weeks starting Friday, May 29, at 5 p.m.
  • During this time, patrons and staff will not be able to pay fines or make any changes to fines on your account.
  • Patron accounts with an outstanding balance of $15 or more cannot log in to the eCollection.

Your Contact Information

  • The system upgrade will include new, secure account passwords.
  • To facilitate updating your PIN to a password after the upgrade, we encourage you to visit your online account before June 4 to verify that your phone and email information are current.
  • Address information can not be updated at this time.

Stay tuned for more news about the system upgrade and how these changes will affect your Library account.

At this time, all Arlington Public Library locations remain closed. In the meantime, you can use our online collections, and contact us through Online Chat and Text.

Thank you for your continued patience and support.

Interactive Food Resources Map

The Cooperative for a Hunger Free Arlington is working to ensure that all residents who need food assistance have access to available resources.

Interactive Food Resources Map of Arlington - tap or click to open.

This interactive map shows the locations of:

  • Blue - Food pantries
  • Green - Arlington Public Schools Grab-and-Go meals
  • Red - Restaurants offering meals to families in need

Additional resources will be added as they become available.

For information on additional food programs call 703-228-1300 or visit the Arlington County website.

Serving Arlington During the COVID-19 Pandemic

National Library Week: April 19-25, 2020

Three months ago, we could not have guessed at the nationwide changes now affecting the way we live and work.

Today, the long-term effects of this global pandemic on our community can only be imagined. Libraries, parks and schools are closed, restaurants have shut down and many of us are stuck at home or caring for loved ones.

Yet this crisis has also shown our strength. Arlington residents, community organizations, and County departments have joined forces in an outpouring of love, care and dedication to tackle the issues that result from these challenging times.

At Arlington Public Library, our dedicated staff are no different.

This week we join libraries around the country for National Library Week, to celebrate the many ways in which libraries and librarians strengthen our communities — with commitment, heart, and goodwill.

Here are just a few of the many ways in which Library staff are responding to Arlington’s evolving needs:

While we all our facing a “new normal” our hope is that all our collaborative efforts will make life a little easier.

Stay safe, stay well, and stay hopeful.

Diane

Scrawled signature of Diane Kresh

Diane Kresh
Director
Arlington Public Library

Connect with Wi-Fi in Library Parking Lots

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Arlington residents who lack reliable internet service at home can now connect to  new free County Wi-Fi hotspots at the Central Library, Aurora Hills and Columbia Pike Library Branch parking lots.

The lots are open daily to people who need online access for work, schooling, health-related information or to complete essential tasks such as ordering groceries and household supplies.

Residents are asked to remain in their vehicles while on site to help mitigate the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus. Those who are not in vehicles should always maintain a physical distance of 6 feet apart and comply with public health guidelines.

Accessing the network is simple. Using a mobile device, choose the ArlingtonWireless network and accept the terms of agreement. While no user ID or password is required, it is important to remember that the County’s wireless network is not secure like most public hotspots. Users will be asked to acknowledge this fact before being provided access to the free wireless.

Users should not transmit sensitive information over the wireless network, and make sure that they have firewall and anti-virus software installed on their equipment.

Learn more about the COVID-19 response in Arlington

Download the Library App