Arlington Public Library

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The Fall Book Sale is Almost Here!

Thursday, Oct. 11 - Sunday, Oct. 14, 2018

Photo of art books on top of a book shelf

The Friends of the Arlington Public Library hold a massive used book sale each spring and fall in the Central Library parking garage. 

This sale is shaping up to be one of their biggest ever, with over 200,00 items including books for all ages and interests, magazines, DVDs, CDs and LPs, as well as games and puzzles.

Learn more about the Friends of the Library Fall Book Sale on the Library calendar.

Interested in volunteering? Contact volunteer@arlintonlibraryfriends.org.

The mission of The Friends of the Arlington Public Library is to encourage and assist the Arlington County Public Library in providing the highest quality possible library services and collections to the patrons of The Library and to generally promote and encourage public library systems. 

Ghosts and UFOs, Trivia, a Night of Horror and More!

Celebrate October at the Library

Silhouette haunted trees, a castle and a big orange moon

Featured Events

Night of Horror II: Return of the Overdue Books
Saturday, Oct. 13, 8-11 p.m.

Prepare to be scared! This event is recommended only for brave teens and adults. Register now.

Boo in a Bottle: a Pet Ghost Craft
Wednesday, Oct. 17, 6:30 - 8 p.m.

Suspend a specter! Apprehend an apparition! Friend a figment! Capture the Halloween spirit of a new friend in a bottle. RSVP now.

Horror Literary Legends: Team Trivia Night
Tuesday, Oct. 23, 7-9 p.m.

Answer questions on the chilling creations of authors from Mary Shelly to Steven King, from the books and TV! Register now.

UFOs, Cryptids and Ghosts, Oh My!
Monday, Oct. 29, 7-8:30 p.m.

Cryptozoologists from the Alexandria Cryptozoology and Paranormal Society (ACAPS) explain the local folklore surrounding UFOs, Cryptids and the Paranormal. Register now.

Find more fun Halloween craft and storytime events for kids, teens and adults on the Library calendar.

 

Treasures from the Archive

October is National Archives Month

photo of Arabeth setting up objects in the display case
Archivist Arabeth sets up a display at Central Library

What's An Archivist? Why Are Archives Important?

  • Archives are a place where people can go to look at the documentary evidence of past events, such as letters, reports, photographs, diaries and other primary sources.
  • Archivists are specially trained in preserving original materials and helping people access them.

The Center for Local History at Arlington Public Library houses our Community Archives, and Research Room. It is also home to a growing collection on digital collections and exhibits.

Visit Central Library this month to view our exhibit of objects from the Archives. The exhibit includes a Washington-Lee crew team megaphone from 1958, a photo of the demolition of the "Old Arlington Courthouse" on February 23, 1997, and an instructional voting machine, circa 1902-1944.

Everyone Has A Story

This year we're celebrating National Archives Month with the launch of a new weekly Instagram feature.

Each Thursday, we'll post an image from the Center for Local History's archival collection. We started last week with this picture of Richard Walker, photographed in 1981 by Lloyd Wolf.

Follow us on Instagram @arlingtonvalib

Win a Book Wednesday: “Unsheltered”

Win a Copy of "Unsheltered" by Barbara Kingsolver

Photo of "Unsheltered" on a bookshelf

About "Unsheltered"

"In her latest novel, Kingsolver uses a dual narrative to tell the stories of two families experiencing the world, with its unimaginably large changes and small worries, 150 years apart. These two narratives play off of each other masterfully, as the author proves that no matter how things change, somehow, they always stay the same.

Perhaps the best part of the story is Kingsolver’s lyrical prose and the way it makes the reader stop to appreciate the depth a few words can hold."

Reviewed for you here by librarian Sarah. Publication date is set as October 16, 2018.

Want to Win this Book?

  • Leave a comment below on Wednesday, Sept. 25, and share the name of your favorite book with dual narratives.
  • Everyone who leaves a comment here, on Facebook OR Twitter will be entered into a random drawing (Library employees are not eligible). Please only enter in one place.
  • The winner will be contacted by email on Thursday, Sept 26.
  • The winner can pick up their prize at the Library location of their choice.

Win a Book Wednesdays takes place twice a month. Prize books are Advance Reader Copies (ARCs) of books that will be added to the Library collection within the next month, and can already be found in the Library catalog as "on order."

ARCs are uncorrected proofs given to the Library for review purposes only, and are not for sale.

 

2018 LEGO Exhibit – Call for Entries

Submit Your Creations for the November Exhibit

Open to LEGO builders age 18 and under, as well as teams that include at least one member under 18.

Submission Deadline: Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2018
Notification Date: Monday, Oct. 29
Exhibit: November 2018

Apply on the Library website.

 

$5,369 Raised for a Library in Puerto Rico

Summer Reading 2018 - By the Numbers

We had a great summer of reading.

661 more readers complete Summer Reading in 2018 than in 2017!

Through your reading, combined with the generosity of the Friends of the Arlington Public Library, you raised $5,354 to help repair the library at the University of Puerto Rico, Humacao, which was badly damaged a year ago by Hurricane Maria. We also received an additional $15.17 in community donations for the UPR Humacao Library.

More 2018 Numbers: 

  • Total number of Summer Reading participants: 10, 514
  • Percentage who complete at least one level of Summer Reading: 51%
  • Number of participants who completed all three levels of Summer Reading: 2,699
  • Total number of books read for 2018: 114,552
  • Total number of books read for 2017: 103,194

 

2018 LEGO Exhibit – Call for Entries

Submit Your Creations for the November Exhibit

LEGO creations

Open to LEGO builders age 18 and under, as well as teams that include at least one member under 18.

Submission Deadline: Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2018
Notification Date: Monday, Oct. 29
Exhibit: November 2018

Rules:

  • Creation entries must be ORIGINAL WORK. Instructions found in a book or online may be followed, but no entries built from commercial kits will be accepted.
  • Entries must fit on a 10″ x 10″ base.
  • Selected entries must be delivered to the assigned Library location for the exhibit.
  • Selected entries will be on display for the month of November.

 

Apply Now!

 

 

We look forward to seeing your imagination at work!

 

2018 Hispanic Heritage Month at the Library

Salsa Lessons, Papel Picado, a Panel Discussion on Puerto Rico and More

September 15 - October 15 is National Hispanic Heritage Month. Join us at the Library to celebrate the contributions of Hispanic Americans to American history with fun and and thought provoking events for all ages.

Featured Events

Puerto Rico and the United States: How Did We Get Here and Where Are We Going?
Thursday, Sept. 20

One year after Hurricane Maria, Puerto Ricans are still struggling to regain a sense of normalcy on an island where normalcy is defined by debt and poverty. Join us for a panel discussion about the historical roots of this political, economic, and humanitarian crisis, the role of the United States on the island, and what the future may hold.

Salsa Lessons
Mondays, Sept. 17, Sept. 24, Oct. 1, Oct. 8

No previous dance experience is necessary, and you don't need to bring a partner.

Musical Performance by De Sanguashington
Tuesday, Oct. 9

Using instruments such as accordion, tambor alegre, tambora (two-headed drum), bass, and other percussion, this D.C.-based musical group has become a favorite of D.C.’s Colombian community since forming to perform at the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Papel Picado with MasPaz
Wednesday, Oct. 10

Local artist MasPaz will lead a workshop on the traditional Mexican art of papel picado ("perforated" or "pecked" paper).

Events for Kids and Families

Events for Adults

 

October 4: Author Zadie Smith

On October 4, 2018, Arlington Public Library will showcase critically acclaimed British novelist, essayist, and short story writer Zadie Smith in conversation with Library Director Diane Kresh.

Please RSVP to help us create an accurate guest count. Please note that all seating will be on a first-come, first-served basis; an RSVP does not guarantee a seat.

Smith has been a vital literary voice in the international contemporary fiction and nonfiction scene since her first novel “White Teeth” in 2000.

Her work challenges readers to see and think in new ways and to find a place of connection with people whose beliefs are different from their own. Recurrent themes include the embrace of change, a belief in the pluralism of mankind, and the exploration of cultural identity, social class, gender and race.

Smith’s dazzling debut novel “White Teeth,” tells the multigenerational story of two intertwined North London families—one headed by working-class Archie and the other by his best friend, a Muslim Bengali named Samad Iqbal. She traces the trajectory of their friendship through marriage, parenthood and the shared disappointments of poverty and deflated dreams while exploring their cultural identities.

Smith’s fifth novel “Swing Time,” re-examines what success and progress in life can look like. She captures the coming-of-age stories of two mixed-race girls, all the way from North West London to West Africa and back again in search for a better tomorrow.

Her latest collection of nonfiction essays, “Feel Free,” covers a range of subjects from politics, pop culture, to gardens and childhood experiences. She leaves the reader with the challenge of questioning one’s inner voice, rethinking the idea of trust and embracing the gift of culture.

Smith has won multiple literary awards including the Langston Hughes Medal, the James Tait Black Memorial Prize, the Whitbread First Novel Award, the Guardian First Book Award and the Orange Prize for Fiction. She was elected a fellow of the Royal Society of Literature, and was listed twice as one of Granta’s 20 Best Young British Novelists. Smith is currently a tenured professor of fiction at New York University and a member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters.

Win a Book Wednesday: “There Will Be No Miracles Here”

Win a Copy of "There Will Be No Miracles Here" by Casey Gerald

cropped cover of "There will be no miracles here"

About "There Will Be No Miracles Here"

"A raw, probing exploration of self. Gerald reveals his hidden self, the one that so many of us fear to expose even to our closest friends and family. This memoir navigates a man’s journey through and among identities, both chosen and given. From Dallas to New Haven to Cambridge and beyond, a coming-of-age story not to be missed."

Reviewed for you here by librarian Sarah D. Publication date is set as October 2, 2018.

Want to Win this Book?

  • Leave a comment below on Wednesday, Sept. 12, and share the name of your favorite memoir.
  • Everyone who leaves a comment here, on Facebook OR Twitter will be entered into a random drawing (Library employees are not eligible). Please only enter in one place.
  • The winner will be contacted by email on Thursday, Sept 13.
  • The winner can pick up their prize at the Library location of their choice.

Win a Book Wednesdays takes place twice a month. Prize books are Advance Reader Copies (ARCs) of books that will be added to the Library collection within the next month, and can already be found in the Library catalog as "on order."

ARCs are uncorrected proofs given to the Library for review purposes only, and are not for sale.

 



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