Arlington Public Library

Christopher George

Enter to Win a Wedding at the Library!

Love is in the air at Arlington Public Library! Romance is the theme for the 2025 series of Arlington Reads. To share the love, the library is going to pick one very special couple to win a free wedding hosted by Arlington Public Library sponsored by the Friends of the Arlington Public Library.

To apply, please submit an application using the form below. We want to know: “Why would you love to get married at the library?” Feel free to be as creative as you wish—your answer can be submitted in written or visual form.

A couple standing close together outdoors, with one holding a bouquet of pink and cream roses accented with baby's breath. One person is dressed in a navy suit and bow tie, and the other is wearing a white gown with thin straps.

Participation Guidelines

  • Application forms must be submitted no later than Friday, January 24.
  • There is no fee to apply.  

Applicants must:

  • Be 18+ to apply.
  • Not already be legally married.
  • Live in the DMV area. Preference will be given to couples who live in Arlington.
  • Be Arlington Public Library cardholders.
  • Be willing to have their ceremony open to the public.
  • Be willing to do press and media interviews.
  • Be available on the wedding day: Saturday, July 12, 2025.

We are looking for applicants who:

  • Love books, love libraries and love love!
  • Are willing to share the celebration of their love with the Arlington community and are comfortable appearing on the library’s social media channels.
  • Have a guest count of 50 people or fewer.

Date/time: Saturday, July 12, 4 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Location: Central Library Lobby & Auditorium (1015 N Quincy St)
Application deadline: Friday, January 24
Notification of acceptance: The top three couples will be required to do a short virtual interview the week of February 3 and the winning couple will be contacted no later than February 13.

Wedding Details

The Library will provide:

  • Venue for a ceremony (4-4:30) and reception (4:30-7:30) on Saturday, July 12, 2025
    • The wedding couple will be able to invite up to 50 guests to attend the ceremony and wedding.
    • Please note, the ceremony will be viewable by the public.
  • Food for your reception, courtesy of Main Event Caterers
  • A 6” cutting cake, courtesy of Bakeshop, and cupcakes for your guests
  • An officiant for your ceremony if desired (Library Director Diane Kresh)
  • Music for your ceremony, courtesy of the Arlington Philharmonic
  • Four hours of photography by Alex Sakes Photography
  • DJ for your reception provided by Arlington Parks and Recreation
  • Photobooth station provided by Arlington Parks and Recreation  
  • Wedding planning and day-of coordination, courtesy of Ray of Sunshine Weddings 
  • Party favors  
  • Guest book  
  • Cake topper and a cake knife  
  • Signage and decorations for the reception:  
    • Seating chart/place cards  
    • Centerpieces
    • Table numbers 
    • Floral arrangements  
    • Electric tealights 
  • Tables, chairs, flatware, glassware, dinnerware, table linens 
  • Wedding bouquet(s) and/or boutonniere(s), courtesy of Mill Creek Florals
  • Sweetheart table and furniture rentals courtesy of Fox and Fern Vintage Rentals

The Library will NOT provide:

  • Alcohol (wedding couple can opt to purchase separately) 
  • Fees related to applying for your marriage license  
  • Attire for the wedding: wedding dress, tux, wedding rings, etc. 
  • Hair or makeup for the wedding party 
  • Wedding invitations 
  • Gifts for the wedding party 
  • Any wedding activities outside of the ceremony/reception (for example: rehearsal dinner, day-after brunch) 

Please Note

  • Arlington Public Library is for everyone and celebrates all forms of love—all unmarried, engaged couples are welcome to apply.
  • Arlington Public Library staff are not eligible to apply.
  • Finalists may be asked to submit a video or participate in interviews (in person or virtual).
  • The winning entry will be public.
  • Your application will become the property of Arlington Public Library and will not be returned to you.

Questions?

Email LibraryPrograms@arlingtonva.us.

Wedding Contest Entry Form

Director’s Message: Still Reading What You Want—Whenever. However. Forever.

Still Reading What You Want—Whenever. However. Forever. 

The data is in: Arlington residents love to read. 

Arlington Public Library completed one of our most successful Summer Reading Programs ever with 9,617 registered readers and an 80% completion rate (a 21% increase from 2023). Thank you to all who participated.

A library poster with text "Join Summer Reading. Read books, win prizes." and a child reading in the background.

And that's not all:

📲 Circulation topped 1.5 million in Overdrive/Libby in FY24, a significant 39% increase over the previous year.

📈 Patrons placed more than 1.2 million holds, a 20% increase over the previous year.

📚 Arlington Public Library purchased 7,200+ additional print copies of items because of high patron print holds.

🙋‍♀️ We had a 110% increase in form-based book recommendation requests.

🛒 Our librarians received 4,826 patron suggestions for purchase, a 33% increase over the previous year.

🔃 The Library did a refresh project for the Detention Center collection, during which we purchased 1,200+ new items for their collection.

🧩 Our board games and puzzles collection, a great way to encourage fun and social interaction, circulated 7,500+ times.

In recognition of Banned Books Week, Sept. 22–28, the Library hosted a bookmark contest. The theme? What freedom to read and libraries mean to you.

Not surprisingly, imaginative submissions flowed from all age groups. We received hundreds of submissions, and 30 winners were selected.

Composite of four bookmark designs for the 2024 Freedom to Read competition.

Winning entries are being professionally printed and distributed at all library locations during Banned Books Week. Stop by a library and collect your favorites. And congratulations to all participants.

For many, it was a chance to link creativity with personal values and our community ideal of an informed citizenry. One teen said, “This [bookmark contest] gave me the confidence to start competing in other art competitions!"

Let's think about that for a second. "Gave me the confidence..." Isn't that what libraries do each day?

Audience applauds a guitar-playing teen at Columbia Pike Library's Open Mic Night
Columbia Pike Library's recent Open Mic Night event.

Through free diverse collections, programs, on-site experts, empathetic staff and inviting third spaces, each day we encourage Arlington residents to learn new things, face personal and professional challenges, find outlets for their creative interests and grow both as individuals and as members of our community. It is a labor of love and never gets old.

Thank you for reading, growing and for supporting us at Arlington Public Library.

Signatue of Library Director Diane Kresh.

Diane Kresh
Director, Arlington Public Library

Arlington GameFest 2023

Enjoy a board game meetup for the ages!

Arlington GameFest 2023: Meet, Learn, Play

Make friends and learn new board games as we celebrate International Games Month at Arlington GameFest on Sunday, Nov. 12 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Join us to play board games in positive and supportive environments for all ages and interests. Don't know how to play? Volunteers will be available to help you get started!

Join Us Nov. 12

Explore the lineup of activities...

Close-up of Black man playing board game

In the auditorium: bring a photo ID to borrow 200+ board games from our circulating collection and beyond for open play—or bring your own favorites to share!

Three people smile and laugh as a jenga tower falls

In the lobby: supersize your fun with oversized games featuring a lineup of can't-miss classics like Connect 4 (11 a.m.), Battleship/Rhino Hero (1 p.m.) and Jenga (3 p.m.)!

A smiling group of all ages gathers around a board game

In the Quincy Room: friendly volunteers will welcome you into the fun and help you get started with game teaching sessions at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Sign up in the lobby!

A 20-sided die on a Dungeons and Dragons character sheet

In the Glebe Room: learn how to play Dungeons & Dragons in a low-commitment, bite-sized guided adventure. Sessions begin at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Sign up in the lobby!

Text: quiet space on a background of an astronaut in a relaxing pose in space

In the Wilson Room: a quiet, low-sensory space is available where guests can take a break from events as needed and decompress throughout the day.

Nautical board game box and pieces for Libertalia: Winds of Galecrest

Outside the auditorium: learn games with their creators in the designer's corner or try "Libertalia: Winds of Galecrest" for a chance to win a copy at 12, 1 and 2 p.m.

All attendees are also invited to enter our raffle to win board games. Must be present to claim prize.

Games, gaming instruction, and support provided in part by NOVA Board Game Group.

RSVP for an Event Reminder
Explore the Full Event Schedule

Alert: Disregard Erroneous Hold Ready/Due Date/Renewal Emails.

Due to a platform issue, patrons may receive emails erroneously alerting them about an impending due date, a renewal, or a hold becoming ready for pickup.

Below is an example of this message.

From: <notices@library-arlingtonva.us>
Subject: Arlington Public Library Notice: HOLD READY FOR PICKUP

---
messagebee: yes
hold: 1851108

Our service provider is troubleshooting and hopes to resolve the issue shortly.

In the interim, patrons are encouraged to disregard the emails and confirm the status of any holds, due dates, or renewals using the Library's website or mobile app.

We apologize for the inconvenience.

Director’s Message: Summer is a Time to Read for Fun. Seriously.

Diane Kresh stands at a podium with her hands raised.

Diane Kresh warms up an Arlington Reads audience. Photo by Daniel Rosenbaum.

Public libraries across the nation are in the heat of Summer Reading Programs and Arlington Public Library is, too. We believe summer reading is for everyone—and if you have not yet signed up, you can do it now. Join the 5,673 who have already registered and you too can earn Washington Nationals tickets, a free book and more.

The New York Times recently reported on the “new, low test scores for 13-year-olds,” the lowest level in decades. “The percentage of 13-year-olds who reported reading for fun has also declined. Last fall, 31 percent said they ‘never or hardly ever’ read for fun, compared to 22 percent in 2012.”

Not good news.

What is good news? This is a problem that can be fixed. One book, one reader at a time.

Patrons at the Friends of the Arlington Public Library Book Sale. Photos by Christopher George.

The benefits of reading are well documented: reading increases creativity and imagination; reading together builds strong family and community bonds; reading expands one’s vocabulary and promotes and enhances critical thinking skills; reading teaches all of us, and especially young people, about the complex world we live in. And I haven’t even mentioned the health benefits which include reducing stress and anxiety and even countering mental decline.

One of the joys in my life is reading.

And not just reading itself, but sharing and talking about what I am reading with others: friends, coworkers, patrons. And with print, eReaders and eAudiobooks, one can read pretty much anywhere at any time—on family trips in the car, commuting to work on the bus or subway, in a book club, at a coffee shop or on a comfy couch. And if you can’t find something to read, we are here to help with suggestions for every taste and reading level through our website, new app and book displays throughout our library locations.

Let’s read, share, and then read some more. Let’s make a habit of reading for fun. It’s a habit you’ll never want to break.

Always open. Always free. Always reading.

Signatue of Library Director Diane Kresh.

Diane KreshDirector, Arlington Public Library

Spring brings playspaces and tool lending!

Curated Arlingtown playspaces for little learners are now open at all libraries!

Arlingtown is a fun space where families and caregivers with young children can spend time learning and building connections.  With an intentional selection of toys, prompts, signs and books now available at all library locations, parents and caregivers can engage with children in the five early literacy practices: talking, writing, reading, playing and singing.

Kids can engage in pretend play while parents and caregivers can explore early literacy tips for children ages 0 to 5, which will help children enter school ready to learn.

View each location's hours and plan your visit to Arlingtown!

The Shed garden tool lending library is back for your Spring projects! 

Want to start gardening, but don't have the right tools? Ready to tackle a big yard project and need an unusual tool? The Library can help!

Visit The Shed—our garden tool lending library—open Mondays and Wednesdays 5 p.m.-7 p.m. and Saturdays 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

The Shed is located at Central Library and open to all Arlington residents and property owners age 18+ with a library card.

Learn more and explore the garden tool lineup.



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