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Accepting Holiday Gift Nook Donations

Deadline Oct. 20

Person with blue sweater holding a brown paper-wrapped gift.

Support sustainable gifting by donating to the Holiday Gift Nook event.

Arlington Public Library is seeking donations from the public for its inaugural Holiday Gift Nook event. If you have small, giftable items, please visit any of our seven library locations and drop them off at our Gift Nook donation boxes, located near the entrances. The deadline for donations is Oct. 20, 2022.

How to donate:

  • Look for the large, white donation box at all library locations during the donation period.
  • The deadline for donations is Oct. 20, 2022.

We are accepting:

  • Items should be smaller than a breadbox. Examples include small toys, jewelry, games or decorative items.
  • Giftable items need to be in excellent condition.
  • If you wish to donate books please direct them to the Friends of Arlington Library (FOAL).
  • No food will be accepted.

Then, join us for the Holiday Gift Nook Shopping Party!

Dec. 10-11, Quincy Room at Central Library

Holiday Gift Nook — An economical and sustainable approach to holiday shopping!

The Library is hosting a free shopping experience for the holidays. Developed from community donations, the Holiday Gift Nook is open to all and free for all.

Come, join us. Always free, always open!

How it works:

  • Pick up a coupon before entering the shop and exchange it for one item. Limit one per person, per visit while supplies and inventory last. Limit two visits per person per day.
  • We will limit the number of people in the Gift Nook at any one time. Please anticipate the possibility of waiting in line.
  • Visit the gift wrapping station to personalize and wrap your gift(s). Check out other Library giftmaking and wrapping programs.
  • This event is great for children and people on tight budgets.

Location:
Central Library
1015 N. Quincy St
Arlington, VA 22201

Community Partner Shopping Hours:

  • Sat., Dec. 10: 10 - 11:00 a.m.
  • Sun. Dec. 11: 10 - 11:00 a.m.

Public Shopping Hours:

  • Sat., Dec. 10: 11:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
  • Sun. Dec. 11: 11:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
RSVP

Potomac Conservancy Receives 2022 Summer Reading Program Donation

Board Member Rob Hizon of the Friends of the Arlington Public Library, Arlington Public Library Director Diane Kresh and Library Division Chief Peter Petruski presented the 2022 Summer Reading donation check to Olivia Guerra, Director of Institutional Giving at the Potomac Conservancy.

From June 1 through September 1, readers of all ages came together during Arlington Public Library’s popular Summer Reading program to read, participate in hundreds of free library events and to support the Potomac Conservancy in their mission to safeguard the lands and waters of the Potomac River.

In September, representatives of the Friends of the Arlington Public Library (FOAL) and Arlington Public Library presented a $5,498 check to the Potomac Conservancy. The donation represents the number of library readers who successfully completed the 2022 Summer Reading program. 

"It has been a wonderful experience partnering with Arlington Public Library," said Hedrick Belin, President of Potomac Conservancy. “The FOAL donation will go towards our local conservation efforts, supporting our goal to restore clean water to our community. Together, we'll close the chapter on pollution and write new prose on a healthy, thriving Potomac River."

"At FOAL, we pride ourselves in supporting community partners and library programs for the Arlington community and Library patrons. We are excited to sponsor Summer Reading and to support the Potomac Conservancy in their good work for the environment and local communities," said Claire Christian, President, Board of Directors, of the Friends of the Arlington Public Library. 

2022 Summer Reading was made possible through the generosity of the Friends of the Arlington Public Library and the Washington Nationals. Other community partners included EcoAction Arlington; the Potomac Riverkeeper Network; and the Arlington County Departments of Cultural Affairs; Environmental Services; Parks and Recreation and Technology Services.

"Nearly 8,000 readers participated in our community reading program and thousands more attended events. All free," said Library Director Diane Kresh.

Summer Reading helps children avoid the "summer slide," and reintroduces youth and adults to the joy of reading. There will soon be a chance to participate in another community reading program. Back by popular demand, the Library will present 2023 Winter Reading, which will start Jan. 1 and run through Mar. 1. 

To learn more about the Potomac Conservancy and FOAL, visit https://potomac.org and https://arlingtonlibraryfriends.org.

Our New Fall Releases Are Here

Get Your Hands On These New And Upcoming Titles

After a long, hot summer, September is here with a cornucopia of great new book releases.

Four friends thought they’d retired as international assassins, but now they find themselves the target in Deanna Rayburn’s thriller "Killers of a Certain Age." Get a head start on spooky season with "A Ghost in Shining Armor" by Therese Beharrie, when Gemma starts falling for Levi, not realizing that he’s a ghost.

Explore the role wetlands play in the environment and how humans have interacted with them in Annie Proulx’s "Fen, Bog, and Swamp." Disability activist Alice Wong shares art, essays and fiction in her scrapbook style memoir "Year of the Tiger."

After a disastrous start to Middle School, a talking dog offers David Bravo the chance to go back in time to fix the moment where it all went wrong, if only he could pinpoint where that moment was in Mark Oshiro’s middle grade book "You Only Live Once, David Bravo."

Teen readers will be moved by Zoulfa Katouh’s "As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow" where a traumatized Syrian teen is torn between staying and helping her country devastated by Civil War or helping her pregnant sister-in-law escape to Europe.

Place Your Holds Now

Celebrate the New Teleconnect Space at Columbia Pike Library With Us

Join Us for a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and Community Celebration on September 19.

Arlington Public Library will host a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of The Teleconnect Space at Columbia Pike Library on Mon., Sept. 19, from 4:30-6 p.m.

The public is invited to attend the celebration and ribbon cutting ceremony. Columbia Pike’s Sunshine Gang band will provide entertainment. All are invited!

Join Christian Dorsey, Arlington County Board Member and Vice-Chair; Library Director Diane Kresh; representatives from the Arlington County Department of Community Planning, Housing, and Development (CPHD) and the Department of Technology Services (DTS); and our community partners to celebrate this new asset for the community at Columbia Pike.

The Teleconnect Space at Columbia Pike Library is brought to you in partnership with the Arlington County Department of Community Planning, Housing, and Development (CPHD) and the Department of Technology Services (DTS). Community and local government partners include the Arlington Free Clinic, Arlington Employment Center, Arlington Peers Helping Peers in Recovery (APRC), OAR of Arlington, Alexandria, and Falls Church and the Columbia Pike Partnership.

Mon., September 19, 2022, 4:30–6 p.m., open to the public
Columbia Pike Library
816 S. Walter Reed Drive
Arlington, Virginia 22204

Visit the Library calendar to RSVP for an event reminder

Schedule

  • 4:30 p.m. Enjoy light refreshments and the music of Arlington’s own The Sunshine Gang, a classic rock inspired band certain to get you moving!
  • 5:15 p.m. Join us for the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony with Arlington County Board Member Christian Dorsey and Library Director Diane Kresh
RSVP

About The Teleconnect Space

The Teleconnect Space is a free, single meeting room at the library branch that is outfitted with a hardwired computer equipped with web access to Zoom, Skype, and other video conferencing software. It also has a ring light to create a professional setting. The space is reserved for virtual meetings for specific purposes including telehealth appointments, job interviews, social service appointments, health insurance sign up, and college interviews.

This new resource is part of the County’s digital equity initiative to ensure all Arlington residents have affordable, reliable access to high-speed internet and the technology to fully participate in the community and economy, with a focus on connectivity, access, education and training, and program sustainability. For more information on the new service, visit the link below.

The Teleconnect Space

Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month at the Library

September 15 - October 15 is National Hispanic Heritage Month.

Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month, by celebrating the histories, cultures and achievements of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, Central and South America.

At Arlington Public Library, we celebrate the contributions of Hispanic Americans to American history and culture, through books and programs for all ages.

Come, join us — always free, always open!

Photo of Latin Grammy-winning music duo 123 Andrés.
Andrés and Christina are the Latin Grammy-winning music duo 123 Andrés.

Join Us!

123 Andrés

Monday, Sept. 26, 11 a.m.-12 p.m., Columbia Pike Library
Tuesday, Sept. 27, 10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m., Central Library
Thursday, Sept. 29, 10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m., Shirlington Library

Join us for an energy-packed performance featuring 123 Andrés at Central, Columbia Pike and Shirlington Library. Families and children of all ages can dance and learn, both in Spanish and English, and listen to the instruments and stories through genres such as cumbia, salsa, merengue, bachata and more.

More

Latin Dance Lessons at Columbia Pike

Tuesdays, Sept. 13, 20, 27 and Oct. 4, 11, 6:30-7:30 p.m., Columbia Pike Library
Family-friendly, RSVP for an event reminder

Join the Encanto Salsa Team for beginner salsa and bachata lessons. No prior experience or partner required, and adults and children alike are encouraged to attend!

RSVP

Play Loteria!

Saturday, Oct. 1, 12:00-2:00 p.m., Shirlington Library Plaza
All ages, RSVP for an event reminder

Join us for an outdoor game of Loteria to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. There will be prizes, along with traditional Latin American food from Pan American Bakery.

RSVP

Art And An Artist: "Tito Puente"

Thursday, Oct. 6, 4:00-5:00 p.m., Shirlington Library
Children Grades 1-5, RSVP for an event reminder

Come and learn through a story about Tito Puente, a percussionist of Puerto Rican descent, known as "King of the Timbales." Afterward, listen to his music and make your own drums to tap along to the beat.

RSVP

Book Lists

No matter what your literary taste is, there is something for you in this list of recent books by Hispanic-American authors, from V. Castro's dark horror story collection "Mestiza Blood" to Yamile Saied Méndez’s heartwarming romance, "Twice a Quinceañera."

Ana Castillo returns to poetry in "My Book of the Dead" and young adult author Erika Sánchez has a memoir for adults, "Crying in the Bathroom."

Be sure to check out our other lists of gems for young readers in our Latinx Voices Book Lists.

2022 Hispanic Heritage Month Book List
Latinx Voices Book Lists

Welcoming Week is September 9-18

Join Arlington Public Library for Welcoming Week. All are welcome!

Arlington County Board Chair Katie Cristol issued a proclamation to commemorate Welcoming Week at Arlington Public Library.

From September 9-18, 2022, libraries across America are partnering with the nonprofit organization Welcoming America to celebrate this year’s theme #WhereWeBelong.  

Coinciding with Welcoming Week, Arlington County Board Chair Katie Cristol issued a proclamation on “public libraries having a long history of providing free resources and education to immigrants and refugees; serving as the gateway for immigrants and refugees, introducing them to their new communities; and libraries being instrumental in building a global village.”  

At Arlington Public Library, we believe in creating opportunities to increase our understanding of our world — our community, and each other. We do this in a variety of ways: through books, English conversation and foreign language classes, voter registration drives, citizenship classes, and cultural programs for all ages. All free!

September is also National Library Card Sign-Up Month. Sign up or renew your library card and join our Welcoming Week activities. 

Come Celebrate Welcoming Week

  • Stop by any of our seven library locations, renew or sign up for a free Library Card. 
  • Join us for two exclusive film screenings featuring "Dear Refugee, Love Zarmina" (Sept. 13) and "Borderless" (Sept. 15) at Central Library. Each event is followed by a discussion with the filmmaker. 
  • Discover our Diverse Voices Book Lists. 
  • See you at voter registration drives at Central and Columbia Pike Library (Sept. 10) with the League of Women Voters. And Welcoming Week continues with a voter registration drive at Shirlington Library (Sept. 20).
  • Meet us for Storytime.

These are just some of the many ways you can celebrate Welcoming Week with us.

Come, join us — always free, always open! 

Pink graphic displaying text "always free, always open."

Welcoming Week is a nationwide event sponsored by Welcoming America that engages a broad network of nonprofits, local governments, and professional associations including the American Library Association (ALA). The mission of Welcoming America is to foster inclusion and build immigrant-friendly, equitable and supportive communities.  Its goals complement Arlington County’s conversations about race and equity.

Welcoming America is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that leads a movement of inclusive communities becoming more prosperous by ensuring everyone belongs. Libraries across America are partners in this work.

Stand Up for Books

Director’s Message

"Don’t let the bastards grind you down.” 

– Margaret Atwood, banned book author of "The Handmaid’s Tale."

Established in 1982 by the late Judith Krug, then director of the American Library Association’s (ALA) Office of Intellectual Freedom, Banned Books Week (September 18-24, 2022) promotes free and open access to ideas and information.

Hardly a week goes by when there is not a news story about a book challenge happening somewhere: "The Bluest Eye," "Maus," "Gender Queer," "The Hate U Give." Frequent targets are fiction and nonfiction about people of color, LGBTQIA+ protagonists, and books dealing with Jewish and Muslim religious/ethnic themes.   

Several Arlington Reads authors have been banned book listed: Kiese Laymon, Jacqueline Woodson, Judy Blume, Alison Bechdel, Tim O’Brien. And this year marks the 100th anniversary of the publication in the US of James Joyce’s "Ulysses," the standard bearer for book censorship.   

Challenges are on the rise. 

According to an article in the Washington Post (March 22, 2022), "School book bans are soaring. Although the vast majority of challenges go unreported, the American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom counted 330 incidents of book censorship in just the three months from September to November 2021 — marking the highest rate since the association began tracking the issue in 1990.”

And the rhetoric is getting hotter. 

Earlier this year, one Oklahoma lawmaker compared librarians to cockroaches. Less comically, we have been called groomers and pedophiles for having LGBTQIA+ books on the shelves.  Closer to home, two members of the Spotsylvania County School Board in Virginia advocated for burning certain books, and a lawsuit filed against two authors and a book seller in Virginia Beach hopes to prohibit the sale of books deemed obscene. Not great.

Books are transformational.

They challenge our beliefs and biases, expose us to different experiences and cultures. They help us learn to think for ourselves and not follow the group think of public opinion. Yes, they can be dangerous and offensive.  And that is how it should be.  Indeed, there is a book in every library that offends someone somewhere.  And if there isn’t, librarians are not doing their jobs.   

How can you help celebrate Banned Books Week?

Here are a couple of ideas:

  1. Become informed on the topic.  These are resources we have found particularly useful: https://pen.org/banned-in-the-usa/ and https://www.ala.org/aboutala/offices/oif.
  2. Commit to reading at least one challenged book.
  3. And if you have a child at home, ask your child to commit to reading one, too. The family that reads together, thrives together.

"Let the wild rumpus start.” 

– Maurice Sendak, banned book author of "Where the Wild Things Are."

Signatue of Library Director Diane Kresh.

Diane Kresh
Director, Arlington Public Library

New Teleconnect Space Available at Columbia Pike Library

The pilot project will launch with a ribbon cutting ceremony on September 19.

There is a new option for Arlington residents and visitors who need an internet connection and privacy for virtual meetings. Arlington Public Library has opened The Teleconnect Space at Columbia Pike Library, in partnership with the Arlington County Department of Community Planning, Housing, and Development (CPHD) and the Department of Technology Services (DTS).

The Teleconnect Space is a single meeting room at the library branch that is outfitted with a hardwired computer equipped with web access to Zoom, Skype, and other video conferencing software. It also has a ring light to create a professional setting. The space is reserved for virtual meetings for specific purposes including telehealth appointments, job interviews, social service appointments, health insurance sign up and college interviews.

Arlington Public Library will host a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of The Teleconnect Space at Columbia Pike Library on Monday, Sept. 19, from 4:30–6 p.m. The event is open to the public and Columbia Pike’s Sunshine Gang band will provide entertainment.

This new resource is part of the County’s digital equity initiative to ensure all Arlington residents have affordable, reliable access to high-speed internet and the technology to fully participate in the community and economy, with a focus on connectivity, access, education and training and program sustainability.  

“Anyone who needs a free, quiet, private space and who does not have equivalent access at home or anyone who needs extra tech assistance to get started taking a telehealth appointment is invited to use the Teleconnect Space,” said Arlington Public Library Director Diane Kresh. “The Library is at the center of the community, and we are glad to be working with our County partners CPHD and DTS to add this vital service.”

Community and local government partners include the Arlington Free Clinic, Arlington Employment Center, Arlington Peers Helping Peers in Recovery (APRC), OAR of Arlington, Alexandria, and Falls Church and the Columbia Pike Partnership.   

The Teleconnect Space may be booked online for two hours each day, up to two times per week. Anyone unable to make an online reservation may call Columbia Pike Library at 703-228-5710 for assistance.

Make a Reservation

Potential uses of the space include: a person in a virtual support group meeting who would ordinarily meet from their car for privacy; a person with a large family who has a virtual college interview; a job seeker who lives in group housing or with many family members and needs an uninterrupted interview; a LGBTQIA+ adult who needs a telehealth appointment but does not have a secure, private space at home to talk to a medical professional; and other possibilities.  

The Teleconnect Space has frosted glass covering most of the outside and a white noise machine helps provide audio privacy. Limited staff assistance is available for help with personal devices on the public Wi-Fi network. The Teleconnect Space may not be used for paid work, paid tutoring, business meetings, online class attendance, in-person meetings, social events, or by for-profit organizations.

Artistic Book Nooks Scavenger Hunt at Central Library

Detail photos of interior space.

Starting Sept. 1, you'll find something more than just books on our shelves. Go on an exciting scavenger hunt for 24 incredibly detailed art creations, crafted by Shop temporary staff Robin Renner.

The Book Nooks are hidden in the stacks and around the Central Library. To participate, pick up a checklist at any of the service desks at Central Library and start your hunt for the Book Nooks.

Pssst… Here’s a hint:  The themed Book Nooks tend to match their area of the collection or library and can be found in the kids, young adult and adult areas.

Once you have found and checked off all 24, please stop at one of the service desks or The Shop to claim a prize.  

Love one or more of the Book Nooks? Please snap a picture with your favorite(s) and tag us on Instagram @apl.theshop. 

If you have any questions about the Book Nooks or the artist, Robin Renner, please stop by or contact The Shop at 703-228-7718 or lib-makers@arlingtonva.us.

Shop Event: Artist Talk - Book Nooks

Wednesday, Oct. 12, 6 p.m., The Shop at Central Library
Learn about the creative process for the enchanting and detailed book nooks, displayed at Central Library in September.

Artist Robin Renner will discuss her themed Book Nooks. Robin will show off and discuss the different Book Nooks she has produced, the process of making these and how others can get involved with the fabrication tools needed to design their own.

Register

Back to School Events At The Library

Get ready for Kindergarten!

Photo of a smiling young girl seated a t a school desk.

Join us for our Kindergarten Kickoff and get ready for the new school year. 

In partnership with Arlington Public Schools, Arlington Public Library will host six “Kickoff to Kindergarten” programs at Columbia Pike and Central Library. 

Rising Kindergarteners will hear stories and participate in crafts about starting school while adults can learn about free library resources for children. 

Columbia Pike Library, Drew Room

  • Wednesday, Aug. 17, 6:00-7:00 p.m. 
  • Friday, Aug. 19, 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. 
  • Saturday, Aug. 20, 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. 

Central Library, Rabbit Hole and Quincy Room 

  • Thursday, Aug. 25, 6:00-7:00 p.m. 
  • Friday, Aug. 26, 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. 
  • Saturday, Aug. 27, 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. 
Register
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