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Update: Quincy St entrance closed during upgrades at Central Library. More Info

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Available Now: An Updated Library App

Get Ready for an App Refresh

Released on August 4 for iOS and Android devices, the updated Library App provides a sleeker look and new features like optional reading history tracking and easier navigation to our mobile checkout app. You'll enjoy the same streamlined access to Library collections, ability to manage multiple card holders, and timely information about programs, services and locations.

If the app on your device doesn’t update automatically, search your app store for the Arlington Public Library app and manually download the latest version (version 3.0), compatible with iOS 16.4 and Android 7.0 or later.

Setting Up Your Library App

When logging in for the first time, you will need to relink your library card account(s). Some account details, including active Summer Reading logs, may take a few minutes to update. Look up your library card number.

Homescreen of the Arlington Public Library app with an arrow pointing to an icon in the upper-right corner.
Account preferences of the Arlington Public Library app with an arrow pointing to a plus icon in the upper left-hand corner.
New account menu of the Arlington Public Library app with an arrow pointing to username/barcode, nickname and password fields.

After updating the app, push notifications will be automatically disabled. You may enable these by navigating to the notifications section of each account and selecting your preferred categories.

Account preferences of the Arlington Public Library app, with an arrow pointing toward the Notifications option.
Notification preferences of the Arlington Public Library app, with all notifications disabled.
Notification preferences of the Arlington Public Library app, with all notifications enabled.

Features and Upgrades

  • New! Option to enable reading history tracking
  • New! Link to mobile checkout app
  • Browsable booklists and news
  • Create and update your own booklists in the app
  • Rate titles and see personalized recommendations
  • Share books and events with your contacts
  • One-touch digital library card

Questions? Comments?

Use the Library App Feedback Form to share your experience.

The Library App is a collaboration between the Arlington Public Library and Arlington’s Department of Technology Services.

Browse book lists from the homepage.

Filter events by interest, date or location.

Rate titles or add them to your lists.

Get recommendations based on titles you rate.

Director’s Message: Thank You

Dear friends,

Arlington County government conducts Resident Satisfaction Surveys to assess resident perceptions, experiences and priorities related to County services, programs and community conditions. Seven of these studies have been administered since 2004, and each offers County leaders opportunities to celebrate successes and identify areas for improvement.

Director Kresh addresses a crowd from a podium.
Director Kresh addressing the crowd at an Arlington Reads author talk. Photo by Daniel Rosenbaum.

I am excited to share that the survey conducted earlier this year and released last week revealed Arlington Public Library earned a resident satisfaction rate of 89% across library services and programs. Indeed, according to the consultant’s report, “the County’s library system was one of the most well-regarded County services, earning very high marks across the survey.”

View Full Report
A couple dancing at Pride Prom.
Attendees dancing at the Library's Pride Prom.
The Truck at National Night Out.
The Truck at a National Night Out event.

I’m not going to lie. It feels good to be liked and to know the work the staff and I do each day is appreciated by so many of you.

However.

High ratings do not mean we can rest on our laurels. There is always more we can do to improve the quality of life in Arlington, and we will continue to try and connect with residents for whom the Library is not central to their lives. We want to know who you are and how we can help you. We strive to meet the needs of all our residents.

Children playing at Courthouse Library.
Arlingtown at Courthouse Library's grand opening. Photo by Daniel Rosenbaum.
A mother reads to her daughter.
Patrons at a Spring FOAL Book Sale.

Thank you for allowing your children’s teddy bears to attend our sleepovers.

Thank you for taking tea with our American Girl dolls.

Thank you for bringing us into your homes with our streaming author talks.

Katie and Vincent's wedding at Central Library.
Katie and Vincent's wedding at Central Library. Photo by Alex Sakes.
A Memory Café gathering.
A Memory Café gathering.

Thank you for reading our newsletter; it ranked above “Mom” as a trusted source of information in the survey.

Thank you for checking out more than 3.9 million items in FY26, a record high for us.

Thank you for bringing your loved ones to Memory Cafés.

Basheer Kareem performs a storytime.
Basheer Kareem performing a Tunes & Tales Storytime.
Teen volunteers at the library.
Teen library volunteers welcoming Teen Takeover attendees.

Thank you for encouraging your teenagers to volunteer with us.

Thank you for showing up.

Libraries are needed now more than ever. Thank you for cherishing this one.

With gratitude,

Signatue of Library Director Diane Kresh.

Diane Kresh
Director, Arlington Public Library

Parking Updates for Columbia Pike Library

The outside of the Columbia Pike Branch Library building, with its name spelled in metal lettering on the exterior wall.

Columbia Pike Library remains open with its full array of services during ongoing construction, and we look forward to seeing you!

June 2026 Parking Update

Dedicated library parking spots and parking signage will be relocated along Highland Street, beginning the week of June 29. Also starting June 29 through late July, the library’s entrance from Walter Reed Drive will be closed, and the exterior book drop may be inaccessible. Once construction is completed on that side, the library’s other entrance will be closed, and patrons will enter through the Walter Reed side.

Pathways will be marked for library patrons to move between the parking lot and the designated library entrance during all construction phases. Once summer construction is complete, library parking spots and signage will move back to their current location.

Consider walking, biking or taking the bus to Columbia Pike Library.

Phasing and logistics are subject to change due to design progression, contractor input, and unforeseen conditions.

For more information, visit Arlington Career Center Project - Arlington Public Schools (apsva.us).

July 18, enjoy free all-day fun at LibraryFest!

Happy 250! LibraryFest

Join us for a free, all-day community festival

Update: LibraryFest will proceed rain, shine or smog! Some events may be moved indoors. Check the schedule below for updates.

Saturday, July 18, from 10 a.m. – 7 p.m., Arlington Public Library hosts an all-ages celebration at Central Library to commemorate the nation’s 250th anniversary.

Experience multiple back-to-back musical and spoken word performances, a large LEGO sculpture of the U.S. Constitution, DIY arts and crafts activities, singing storytimes about America, genealogy and digitization workshops, and cultural and historical demonstrations.

View the LibraryFest Lineup

Enjoy food trucks or a picnic

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Bring your own picnic to enjoy at tables near the library and Quincy Park, or visit multiple food trucks from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Children receive free popcorn while supplies last.

Travel by bike, bus or Metro

libraryfest-biking

Limited garage parking is available, but the surface parking lot will be closed during LibraryFest. With our ART bus stop, Metro nearby and bike parking onsite, transit or biking is strongly recommended. Free overflow parking is available at Washington-Liberty High School.

Explore supporting programs

Blue and red 3D printed stars read "I heart my library" and "Arlington VA 250," with The Shop's 3D printers visible in the background.

Celebrate early by making a 3D printed star with The Shop makerspace, exploring our related Arlington 250 programs or submitting a favorite library memory!

LibraryFest is generously funded by the Friends of the Arlington Public Library which supports all library programs, including Arlington 250 and Summer Reading.

Logo of the Friends of the Arlington Public Library (FOAL).
Logo for Arlington VA 250. Libraries, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.

LibraryFest Schedule

Filter by Interest

Filter by Audience

Filter by Location

YoYo Workshop with the DMV Throwers

Learn yoyo basics, tricks and care from experienced practitioners. Loaner yoyos available for all skill levels.

10:00 am

-

2:00 pm
Second Floor

|

Public Computer Area
Kids, Teens, Adults
Families

Our Community Pavilion

Connect with local efforts and groups working to build a bright future for Arlington.

10:00 am

-

4:30 pm
Second Floor

|

Demonstration Room Entrance
Kids, Teens, Adults
Families, History

Calligraphy Workshop

Learn basic calligraphy techniques and write a letter to a future Arlingtonian.

10:00 am

-

1:00 pm
First Floor

|

Quincy Room
Kids, Teens, Adults
Crafts

Make A Wish for America

Write your wishes for America’s future on a paper flame to help “light” a birthday cake poster!

10:00 am

-

4:00 pm
First Floor

|

Quincy Room Entrance
Kids, Teens, Adults
Families, Crafts

Crafts and Tasks from the Past

Try crafts and tasks that children undertook during colonial times with The Woman’s Club of Arlington.

10:00 am

-

4:00 pm
Second Floor

|

Demonstration Room Entrance
Kids
Families, Crafts, History

The Art of Paper, Writing & Publishing

Explore calligraphy, bookbinding, ink making, paper marbling and letterpress printing through live demonstrations.

10:00 am

-

4:00 pm
Second Floor

|

Demonstration Room
Kids, Teens, Adults
Families, Crafts, History

Print Your Own 250 Poster

Print a custom-designed commemorative America 250 poster to take home (while supplies last).

11:00 am

-

3:00 pm
Outside

|

10th St. Library Entrance
Kids, Teens, Adults
Families, Crafts

Words Matter: A Spoken Word Stage

Hear local poets, performers and leaders share works reflecting on America’s past, present and future.

11:00 am

-

4:30 pm
First Floor

|

Words Matter Stage
Kids, Teens, Adults
Music & Performance, History

Rainbow Rock Band

Sing, dance and rock along to an interactive, family-friendly mix of folk, pop and rockabilly music.

11:00 am

-

11:45 am
First Floor

|

Auditorium
Kids, Teens, Adults
Families, Music & Performance

Digital Preservation of Family Photos

Learn best practices for scanning, organizing and preserving family photos for future generations.

12:00 pm

-

1:00 pm
First Floor

|

Center for Local History
Teens, Adults
History

Traditional Tunes of the Dulcimer

Enjoy Appalachian folk music with all-ages singalongs and performances mixed with free dulcimer lessons for ages 12+.

12:00 pm

-

4:30 pm
First Floor

|

Glebe Room
Kids, Teens, Adults
Music & Performance

The Sunshine Gang

Sing, dance and jam out with a repertoire of classic rock tunes.

12:00 pm

-

12:45 pm
First Floor

|

Auditorium
Kids, Teens, Adults
Families, Music & Performance

Fort Washington Victorian Dance Society

Watch Victorian-era dances come to life and learn a few steps yourself—no experience required.

1:00 pm

-

1:45 pm
First Floor

|

Auditorium
Kids, Teens, Adults
Families, Music & Performance, History

Homemade Hornbooks & Quill Pens

Create a colonial-era hornbook and practice writing with a quill while exploring early American learning tools.

2:00 pm

-

4:00 pm
First Floor

|

Quincy Room
Kids
Families, Crafts, History

Washington Revels Heritage Voices

Experience traditional music, hymns and Civil Rights-era favorites that tell the American story.

2:00 pm

-

2:45 pm
First Floor

|

Auditorium
Kids, Teens, Adults
Families, Music & Performance, History

Whiskey Before Breakfast

Enjoy Celtic and bluegrass tunes from a WAMMIE Award-winning instrumental band.

3:00 pm

-

3:45 pm
First Floor

|

Auditorium
Kids, Teens, Adults
Families, Music & Performance, History

All-Female Native American Dance Blend

Experience powerful Native American song and dance traditions celebrating culture, storytelling and healing.

4:00 pm

-

5:15 pm
First Floor

|

Auditorium
Kids, Teens, Adults
Families, Music & Performance, History

The Capitol Hillbillies

Close out LibraryFest with a lively mix of blues, bluegrass, jazz, gospel and other American roots music.

5:30 pm

-

7:00 pm
First Floor

|

Auditorium
Kids, Teens, Adults
Families, Music & Performance

Make a 3D Printed Star for Arlington 250

For the month of July as part of Arlington Public Library's Arlington 250 celebration marking the nation's 250th anniversary, The Shop makerspace invites patrons to participate in a new Sit and Make activity: creating a custom 3D printed star!

Using the free Tinkercad design platform at home or at computers available in The Shop, patrons can design a red, white or blue star to submit for 3D printing. The Shop team will then print the star for free (limit one star per patron) and notify the patron by email when the star is ready for pickup!

View Project Guide

Director’s Message: Pride Month

Words Matter

Arlington Public Library staff marching in the 2025 D.C. World Pride Parade.
Arlington Public Library staff marched in the World Pride Parade held in Washington, D.C. June 7, 2025.

As we celebrate America 250 alongside Pride Month this year, let us reflect on the culmination of public action that brought us to where we are today. Pride Month is a time to celebrate and support the culture and contributions of the LGBTQIA+ community—from riots to parades to a Presidential Proclamation.

Coining of the slogan “Gay Pride” is attributed to L. Craig Schoonmaker, one of the organizers of the event to commemorate the one-year anniversary of the Stonewall Inn riots of 1969. A few years later, the first rainbow flag appeared, designed by activist and artist Gilbert Baker at the behest of Harvey Milk for the June 25, 1978, San Francisco Gay Freedom Day Parade. More recently, flags have been designed to further inclusion and bring to the fore marginalized LGBTQIA+ communities of color, those living with HIV/AIDS, and trans and non-binary persons.

Unfortunately, the word “pride,” chosen to connote unity and self-acceptance among a group of people, is now among many words—freedom, patriotism, valor, equity, diversity, immigrant—being weaponized either in support of policy agendas, or to “trigger” the other side, whomever or whatever that is.  Such wordplay can result in behaviors ranging from "owning" and trolling to dangerous dehumanizing of our fellow Americans. That’s both disturbing and frankly un-American.

Gay and lesbian demonstrators protest Virginia’s "crimes against nature" law.
Several thousand gay and lesbian demonstrators protest Virginia’s "crimes against nature" law. Photograph by Ray Lustig, courtesy of the DC Public Library Washington Star Collection © Washington Post.
Gilbert Baker during the 2012 San Francisco Pride Parade.
Gilbert Baker during the 2012 San Francisco Pride Parade. Photo by Gareth Watkins. 

As we reflect throughout this year on the 250th anniversary of the birth of our nation, we cannot know for certain what the Founders would have thought about gay rights, or civil rights, or feminism, or any of the other movements that have helped our nation grow and forge our collective identity.

Key words and phrases from the Declaration of Independence suggest that given their foundational principles, they would have been supportive. Phrases like: “all men are created equal,” “inalienable rights” granted by the Creator and not the government, and the right to “life, liberty and happiness” as chosen by the individual and not the state.

They might not have landed on the word Pride, known in their day as one of the seven deadly sins along with fan favorites: envy, sloth, etc. But no matter. Their words matter and have been used countless times as rationales to right wrongs, demand social change and become our best selves. As was intended and reinforced a dozen years later in the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution which proclaimed:

"We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence (sic), promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."

Happy Pride.

Signatue of Library Director Diane Kresh.

Diane Kresh
Director, Arlington Public Library

Director's Note

While L. Craig Schoonmaker made contributions to the Pride Movement, I must condemn the harmful beliefs he held against women and gender nonconforming people.

Celebrate Pride at the Library.

Check out Director Kresh's list of LGBTQIA+ titles for Pride Month 2026.

Pride Guest List

Learn more about Pride history and activism with the Library's LGBTQIA+ Timeline.

Learn More

New June Releases

Summer is officially here!

Whenever and wherever you’re reading—from vacation road trips and afternoons spent poolside, to sunny commutes and eating lunch outdoors—June has several great books to choose from.

In the 1870s, LA only has 180 Chinese residents, and only 30 are women. Daughters of the Sun and Moon by Lisa See focuses on an unlikely friendship between three of them who are bound together by the terrifying violence of the real-life anti-Chinese massacre in 1871.

Lev AC Rosen’s Disaster Gay Detective Agency features four friends trying to solve a mystery after witnessing a murder that might have been committed by an ill-advised one-night stand. Told with multiple narrators, this mystery-thriller is full of laugh-out-loud humor and great characters.

Tucked away at Arlington Hall, the Traffic Processing Division sorted through and decoded foreign intelligence during WWII and the Cold War. This segregated office was staffed by Black people, mostly women, and was poorly ventilated, under-resourced and over-worked, but made invaluable contributions to America’s security. In Decoding the Devil, Sarah Valentine shines a spotlight on this long-overlooked chapter of Cold War history.

Sidewalk Nation by Michael Pollack examines the importance of sidewalks in determining a community's strength. Despite receiving very little funding or notice, they play an outsized role in everything from commerce to free speech, climate resilience to public health. Looking at over a dozen cities and towns in the United States, this book explores what’s working and what isn’t in this vital everyday resource.

Middle graders will be on the edge of their seats with Lydia Cooper is a Lie by Meaghan McIsaac. Lydia’s over-protective father has banned all social media, but when she sets up a secret account anyway, someone breaks into their home and they’re forced to go on the run. It turns out they’ve been living in a witness protection program and everything Lydia thought she knew is a lie, even her own name.

Teen fans of Taylor Swift can soon rejoice over the new anthology 13 Little Love Stories. 13 different YA authors take inspiration from a different song from Swift’s catalog to explore a wide range of relationships and feelings.

Place Your Holds Now!

AtoZdatabases: Find, verify and connect—all in one search!

Looking to reconnect with someone, verify contact details or do a quick lookup? AtoZdatabases makes it easy.

Start at the homepage and select “Find a Person.” Search residential listings, business executives or both. Narrow by location or use reverse phone lookup. Flexible name matching (e.g., Jen/Jennifer/Jenny) helps you find the right person fast.

Great for:

  • Reconnecting with friends or relatives
  • Verifying contact information
  • Researching people and neighborhoods

With this powerful, but simple tool, AtoZdatabases helps you move from questions to answers in just a few clicks. Login now with your library card.

AtoZdatabases

More book lists to explore.

June is Pride Month. Explore Library Director Diane Kresh's 2026 Pride list and recent fiction by queer authors that have earned rave reviews.

Pride Guest List: Diane K's Picks
Best Recent Queer Fiction

June is Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month

Prioritize Your Brain Health.

Use the Library's resources to learn about Alzheimer's Disease and how to maintain your brain health.

Use the Library's resources to learn about Alzheimer's Disease and how to maintain your brain health. Access online learning platforms, databases, documentaries and more with your library card.

Universal Class is an online learning platform that offers courses like Alzheimer's Disease 101, Caring for Seniors, Advocacy for Elderly Patients and Aging and Long-Term Care.

Gale Health & Wellness database offers reference articles, research reports, magazines, academic journals and more on the topic of Alzheimer's Disease and brain health.

Alzheimer's and Brain Health Awareness documentaries explore the science of brain health, the lived experiences of individuals and caregivers and the ongoing efforts to understand, treat and prevent cognitive decline.

Encourage memory recall with meaningful activities.

Memory Kits are themed collections of activities designed to spark conversation, encourage memory recall and stimulate mental activity, especially for people experiencing cognitive issues related to dementia, Alzheimer’s disease and other memory disorders.

Memory Kits

More resources for accessibility and memory care.

Explore book lists, databases and local resources for older adults navigating aging or experiencing Alzheimer's and other dementias.

Books by Mail ensures all Arlington residents have access to the Library's collections. It is a free service for those who are physically unable to visit the Library due to a temporary or permanent physical disability or impairment.

Talking Book Service is operated by the Library of Congress' National Library Service (NLS) and provides free, unabridged books, magazine, music and equipment to people who are visually or physically impaired and have difficulty reading printed material.

Libby Accessibility features include screen reader compatibility, contrast and text size adjustments, keyboard shortcuts and more.

Accommodations in the Library include large type book collections, desktop magnification systems and magnifier software.

Explore more book lists.

Brain Health

Your brain is a powerful tool. Learn how to maximize its function and health with these titles on all things neuroscience.

Alzheimer's and Dementia Awareness

Explore scientific research, memoirs and cookbooks covering preventative measures, caregiving guidance and more.

Update: Quincy St entrance closed during upgrades at Central Library.

Phased entrance closures at Central Library in 2026 and 2027.

Arlington County is undertaking a project to address ongoing water intrusion issues in the Central Library parking garage and the library building itself. The project will include perimeter drainage improvements and plaza re-grading around the building, which will both protect the facility envelope and reduce existing tripping and fall hazards.

  • This work will be done in phases and will necessitate the phased closures of the library's two main entrances.
  • Both entrances will not be closed at the same time.
  • During closures, patrons will be redirected to alternate book drops and entrances with exterior and interior signage.
  • The first phase of work will be on the Quincy St. public entrance, which is planned to close August 10.

Other updates

Central Library is undergoing maintenance to repair and upgrade the elevators, restrooms, roof and HVAC systems.

  • Elevators: Patrons may use the elevator from G2 or G3 to access the library's first floor and auditorium. To access the second floor, patrons will need to go toward the 10th St side, near the Friends Bookstore. Signage inside the building provides directions.
  • The smaller surface parking lot directly off Quincy Street is open. All other parking lots and the garage are open.
  • Work in the Auditorium is complete. Public booking has resumed.
  • All public restrooms are open.

The library will remain accessible and operational throughout the projects. Our apologies for any inconvenience or disruption as we provide regularly scheduled maintenance for our building.

Please check back for updates.

Perform Poetry and Spoken Word at LibraryFest

Words Matter: A Spoken Word and Poetry Stage

July 18, mark America's 250th birthday with an all-day LibraryFest celebration at Central Library—and perform a piece for our community to celebrate the power of words.

The Library invites performers to share original or favorite poems or speeches that capture what America means to you. This can range from how America has shaped you, your favorite things about America, your reflections on America's contradictions, and your hopes for America’s future.

Please submit your piece for consideration by June 14. Following review by Library staff, performers will be selected and contacted by July 1.

Speeches and poems in all languages are welcome. We would love to hear from as many voices as possible!

Selected performers will have up to 30 minutes to share their pieces.

Questions?

Email LibComms@arlingtonva.us. We'll do our best to help!

Words Matter: A Spoken Word and Poetry Stage

July 18, mark America's 250th birthday with an all-day LibraryFest celebration at Central Library—and perform a piece for our community to celebrate the power of words.

The Library invites performers to share original or favorite poems or speeches that capture what America means to you. This can range from how America has shaped you, your favorite things about America, your reflections on America's contradictions, and your hopes for America’s future.

Please submit your piece for consideration by June 14. Following review by Library staff, performers will be selected and contacted by July 1.

Speeches and poems in all languages are welcome. We would love to hear from as many voices as possible!

Selected performers will have up to 30 minutes to share their pieces.

Questions?

Email LibComms@arlingtonva.us. We'll do our best to help!

Submit Poetry or Spoken Word Pieces by June 14

Submissions have closed. We hope to see you at LibraryFest July 18!



Download the Library App