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Arlington Public Library

Genevieve Dion

Director’s Message: Arlington 250

Libraries, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness

A U.S. Naturalization Ceremony at Central Library.

2026 marks the 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding.

What began in 1776 as an audacious experiment launched by leaders of 13 colonies with a combined population of 2.5 million has grown into a nation of 50 states, the District of Columbia and territories with more than 300 million people. Over the centuries, people immigrated to this country from all points of the globe in pursuit of personal freedom, to escape persecution and achieve a better quality of life they could not access in their home countries.

From the very beginning, libraries have been part of America’s “experiment”—doggedly supporting intellectual freedom, accepting people as they are and offering spaces filled with books and possibilities to anyone who calls America home.

Library of Congress, Prints and Photography Division, 102.
Arlington 250

In today’s fast-paced, interconnected world, communication is instantaneous, distinctions between fact and opinion are often blurred, and narratives are increasingly shaped by those in power. By contrast, libraries protect the collective narrative.

Libraries reveal life as it is lived—by people both ordinary and extraordinary—and commit to preserving the inconvenient truths that accompany growth and progress. By their very purpose, libraries assert the sanctity of the human spirit and the right to “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”

Their presence in cities and rural towns across the United States is integral to creating an informed citizenry, where the voices of the powerful and powerless blend in service to a just and representative government. To strive for anything less is to diminish the bold and fearless ambition of our founders—while not perfect yet nonetheless dedicated to the ideals of equality we, as a nation, still hope to achieve.

Arlington Public Library will mark this milestone with a yearlong celebration featuring a community read, author talks, HistoryFest 250 in partnership with Arlington Historical Society in May, a summer festival in July, an oral history project and more.

The Library's Arlington 250 programming is made possible by the generosity of the Friends of the Arlington Public Library.

County Manager Mark Schwartz reads a story during the reopening of Courthouse Library. Photo by Daniel Rosenbaum.

As we reflect on this significant historic milestone event, we invite everyone to take part and lend your voices and your wisdom as we consider where we have been as a community, a nation, a world—and where we are going. And as with all journeys, the destination is secondary to the journey itself.

Thank you for being part of our journey to be the best we can be for the community of Arlington we are proud and privileged to call “home.”

Signatue of Library Director Diane Kresh.

Diane Kresh
Director, Arlington Public Library

Director’s Message: A Year of Reading and Fellowship

Our Year in Review

Arlington Public Library experienced a productive year in 2025, achieving several notable milestones.

Over 4,200 library programs attracted thousands of participants, while our staff conducted 400 outreach events in partnership with Arlington Public Schools, numerous County departments, and community development and housing organizations such as Affordable Homes & Communities (AHC) and True Ground.

Library patrons—numbering over 95,000—accessed more than 2.1 million physical books and 1.8 million digital media resources. Numerous titles offered both valuable insight into and relief from current events.

My 2025 reading list is available below, accompanied by commentary on the most noteworthy books.

I was already familiar with Lily King and Amy Bloom; the remaining three are notable new authors I intend to follow closely. The common theme among them is the exploration of love and family—whether it involves those we are related to by birth or those we select throughout life. Love and family. Frankly, what else is there?

Diane's 2025 Reading List

As I reflect on this past year, I am proud of the work we have done to serve and support the community of Arlington. Here are some highlights:

Katie and Vincent smile while they walk down the aisle after getting married at Central Library.
Photo by Alex Sakes Photography.

The Arlington Reads theme, “Share the Love,” was showcased through four distinguished author events featuring Julia Quinn, Curtis Sittenfeld, Casey McQuiston, and David and Nicola Yoon. Additionally, the program included Central Library's inaugural public wedding, attended by more than 300 guests including library patrons, in celebration of love and community.

The Community Picnic and Joining Fair brought hundreds to Central Library, where 29 local clubs recruited new members. Earlier in the year, a screening of “Join or Die” highlighted social scientist Robert Putnam’s research showing that democracy relies on robust civic connections.

Over 200 teenagers, including volunteers of the Teen Network Board, took part in a “Teen Takeover” after-hours event at Central Library, gaining exclusive access to The Shop and fun activities like fort-building, ZTAG and manicures.

Patrons visit a table at the Community Picnic and Joining Fair.
Director Diane Kresh smiles in front of a crowd of Pride paraders in Washington D.C.

During WorldPride 2025 in Washington, DC, local libraries joined the Pride parade, with staff members marching alongside a "Freedom to Read" banner to support literacy and access to information. Hearing the enthusiastic cheers from the crowd for both librarians and the LGBTQIA+ community—which I am proud to belong to—was both uplifting and exciting as we started along the parade route.

The “From Barriers to Ballots” exhibition highlighted the achievements of Arlington and Northern Virginia voting rights activists. Reverend Dr. DeLishia A. Davis closed the event with moving remarks and led a communal singing of “We Shall Overcome.”

Furloughed federal employees received comprehensive support, including access to meeting facilities, wellness initiatives, legal assistance, peer support groups, career development services and additional resources.

Our partners are vital: the Friends of the Arlington Library fund all Library programs and equipment for The Shop; One More Page Books supports our author events; and our County government colleagues and Arlington’s non-profits provide valuable expertise.

Engaging with patrons is a rewarding aspect of my role as Library Director. Arlington resident Susan Senn and her book club, active for over 40 years, have impressively completed 532 books.

A large group photo of Arlington Public Library staff enjoying a holiday party.

The values guiding our work—love, empathy, family, social justice and community—continue to shape our future direction. Thank you for your continued support of Arlington Public Library. We exist because of your engagement, and we deeply value the trust you've given us to be responsible and compassionate stewards—a responsibility we will always honor.

Always Free. Always Open. And wishing you all the best in the new year.

Signatue of Library Director Diane Kresh.

Diane Kresh
Director, Arlington Public Library

Coming Soon: New Evening Hours Starting Jan. 12

Starting January 12, 2026, evening hours on Monday and Wednesday are changing at the following library locations: Aurora Hills, Cherrydale, Courthouse and Glencarlyn libraries. The new hours will affect the Teleconnect Space at Courthouse Library.

Collage of four photos of different libraries.

The new hours will be:

Monday: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.  

(Previous hours 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.)

Wednesday: 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. 

(Previous hours 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.)

There are no changes in hours at Central, Columbia Pike, Westover and Shirlington libraries; these locations will remain open until 8 p.m. on Monday.

The number of open hours for all libraries will remain unchanged while allowing the Library to serve more patrons.  The Library evaluated door count data and checkout information to make this decision.

Thank you for your continued support of Arlington Public Library and your participation in our programs and services. For questions or feedback, please contact the Library online.

Too Cool For Yule #18

As we (finally) reach the home stretch of 2025, it is time for the annual release of Arlington Public Library’s “Too Cool for Yule” playlist. Take a beat, press pause and reset. Whatever reflection and chill look like to you, let Arlington Public Library provide the score.

A couple of musical notes about the selections we’ve included.

Tom Lehrer, the brilliant satirist died this year at the age of 97. Those of us of a certain age will remember his ingenious topical takes on full display in songs like “Vatican Rag,” “Hanukkah in Santa Monica,” and many others. Pure genius.

Since I began this list 18 years ago, I never fail to include a cover of “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” first introduced by the incomparable Judy Garland in the 1944 cinematic classic “Meet Me in St. Louis.” Frank Sinatra serves it up here with his impeccable phrasing and rhythm. Sublime.

We close the playlist with the Staple Singers’ version of “Will the Circle be Unbroken.” A tune first penned in 1907, and later popularized by the Carter Family and the 1960’s Nitty Gritty Dirt Band--when I first heard the tune as a tribute. The lyrics speak to our fractured times and the promise of better days. And don’t we all need a little hope for better days right now.

So, brew a cup, raise a glass, relax with loved ones and hit play. Let this playlist serve as a reminder that Arlington Public Library is always free. Always open. Always listening.

Signatue of Library Director Diane Kresh.

Diane Kresh
Director
Arlington Public Library



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