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Arlington Public Library

News Archive

All Library Locations are Closed Due to Coronavirus

In an effort to slow the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), Arlington Public Library has closed all locations as of March 17, 2020, at 9 p.m.

We made this decision to support the overall health and wellness of our community and for the safety of our patrons and staff.

Fines

  • All fines and due dates for physical items are suspended until further notice.

Returns

  • All book drops are closed at this time.
  • Please keep library items at home until we can resume Library operations.

Donations

Holds

  • Holds on physical items have been disabled in the catalog and Library App until further notice.
  • Holds are available on items in the eCollection.
  • Note: OverDrive holds no longer check out automatically. When you receive a notification that your hold is available, go to your Overdrive account Holds page to borrow the item.

Library Accounts

  • The expiration date for all existing regular and internet only cards has been extended to October 1, 2020.
  • If you are having trouble with your library card, contact the librarians through Chat or Text.

eCollection

  • Available 24/7 with your library card.

Stay in touch with us

This was a difficult decision, as we care deeply about serving the public. Closing the Library to help minimize the spread of COVID-19 is the responsible thing to do, and the best way to serve our patrons - many of whom are at high risk.

Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Learn the latest information about how Arlington is responding to COVID-19 on the County website.

The Truck has Arrived

Arlington Public Library announces the arrival of The Truck, a traveling library designed to hold hundreds of books, games, crafts and DVDs for all ages and interests.

You can meet The Truck at Central Library on Saturday, March 14, from 2 until 4 p.m., during the Winter Reading Hot Chocolate Party.

photo of the truck in front of Central Library

Follow “The Truck” on Instagram at instagram.com/apl.thetruck

The Truck will meet Arlingtonians at community centers, schools, local businesses and parks — from Columbia Heights West to Rosslyn, from Arlingwood to Fairlington, and every neighborhood in between. Patrons will be able to check out and return books on-site, sign up for library cards, take a class or enjoy the free public Wi-Fi.

“We can’t wait to travel the roads and connect with Arlingtonians where they are,” said Diane Kresh, Library Director.

See when and where The Truck will come your way.

The Truck will offer plenty of opportunities to engage with the Library and reach beyond   lending books. Arlingtonians can:

  • Get reading recommendations from a Librarian
  • Learn about upcoming Library and County events and programs
  • Register for a new Library card and check out books
  • Hear a storytime and learn a new skill
  • Use the free public Wi-Fi

The Truck is funded by Arlington County government with support of the Friends of the Arlington Public Library.

Ferbo Ligali: Paintings/Mixed Media

On exhibit at the Shirlington Branch Library, October – November 2017.

Pictures both figurative and abstract, the Ligalista style is characterized by being the fruit of the conjunction of several disciplines: chemical paintings utilizing chemical processes & materials, “physical” paintings utilizing 3D vision, bio-paintings utilizing algae, and lastly drum-paintings where the image has been formed in participation with a rock performance.

Want to buy something you see on our walls? Artists contribute 20% of sales made during their exhibit to the Friends of the Arlington County Public Library, to help support Library programming.

 

Looking Back 12 Years

A Special Responsibility to Remember the Events of Sept. 11, 2001

As one of the three locations that directly felt the physical violence of the day, Arlington’s is a remarkable story of human resilience. 

“The obscenities of Sept. 11, 2001 exposed the difference between builders and destroyers. We are builders. Let us agree, on this anniversary, that it is an honor to be an American and it is an honor to be free.” — Leon Wieseltier, literary editor, The New Republic

There are many ways to learn more, or take part in the commemoration:

 

 

 

Cherrydale Staff Greet Winter with Good Cheer

Will we get any snow this winter? If we do, the Cherrydale Branch Library staff will be dressed appropriately!

BT, Carolyn, Tim and Diane (left to right) show off their reading enthusiasm during the winter chill – because there’s never a bad time to read!

December Open House for Kids and Families

The Central Library will hold a Winter Open House in the Youth Services area on Thursday, Dec. 15, from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m.

We will have winter-themed crafts available in the children’s room, refreshments in the Rabbit Hole, and the librarians will share a winter story and song every half hour.

Come join us!

Taylor Rhodes Bring her Passion for Service to Central Circulation

Nonprofit Fundraiser Understands Importance of Volunteering

Taylor spends her Sundays at Central Library, where she sorts books in the pre-shelving area, put holds out for patrons, adds new books to the New Books section, and does whatever else she can help with.

Taylor tells us, “I’ve been volunteering for two years, and I love it.”  She enjoys being a part of the library community so much that volunteering with us on Sundays is the high point of her week!

Outside of the library, she is a fundraiser for Mental HealthAmerica, a nonprofit organization that advocates for people with mental health issues and works to educate the general public about mental wellness.  Her job allows her to help people who need it most, and volunteering at the library allows her to help the community she lives in.

Taylor encourages everyone to volunteer when they can.

 

More "Invent the Library's Future" Early 2012; No Nov. 10 Session


Many thanks to all who attended the Library’s two recent “Invent the Future” sessions this fall and to all who took our two surveys that focused on sites, staff, technology and services. We have learned much and owe that success to you. But we’re hardly done.

With the approach of the holidays, we’re going to take a break and will NOT have our scheduled Nov. 10 gathering at Washington-Lee High School. Enjoy your three-day Veterans Day weekend.

Early next year we plan to come to you, holding “Plan the Future” sessions at locations throughout the Library system. Watch this space, Twitter, Facebook, emails and library bulletin boards for details once the dates are set.

In the meantime, see the results of our recent surveys and continue to think of what you want from your library of the future.

Thanks for supporting Arlington Public Library.

Questions/comments, or just want to keep in touch?
Email libraries@arlingtonva.us and put “Future” in the subject line.

Keep Inventing the Library's Future–Second Session, Nov. 3 at Fairlington

UPDATE 11/1:

Please Note: For convenience, we’ve decided to cancel our Nov. 11 session in favor of public meetings at each of our locations (except Plaza) early next year. Dates and times will be posted online, on our social media and in our libraries. Enjoy the three-day Veterans Day holiday.

Read Arlington Mercury coverage of our first session.

Arlington Public Library continues with the second in a series of public gatherings to create—with its customers—a shared vision of the future for the Library.

The goal of these gatherings is to help answer questions like: Where are we going as a library? Where do we need to go? And what will it take to get there?

Please join us for Session No. 2: Storyboarding the Future of Arlington Public Library

Thursday, Nov. 3, 7 p.m.
Fairlington Community Center, 3308 S. Stafford St., first floor.

Building on our very successful Oct. 27 charrette at Walter Reed and our evolving main “plotlines”-—content, programs, technology and spaces—this public meeting will help organize our ideas for the future. By sorting them into short-term and long-term actions; strategic and operational opportunities; and lower impact and higher impact possibilities, we’ll chart the best avenues for implementation. And we’ll no doubt be adding some imaginative flourishes!
We’re incorporating survey results at our upcoming public discussions.

Questions/comments, keep in touch: Email libraries@arlingtonva.us and put “Future” in subject line.

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