News

Solar Eclipse Glasses Update

Update – As of 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 15, we are once again out of solar eclipse viewing glasses.
Breaking News – Tuesday, Aug. 15 – Today we received a generous donation of 100 additional solar eclipse viewing glasses from PBS SpaceTime. They are available at the Connection: Crystal City Pop-Up Library, one per person, while supplies last.

This summer, the Library received a limited number of Space Science Institute (SSI) solar eclipse viewing glasses, which were made available for distribution through a grant from the Moore Foundation.

Our supply has now run out, and we will not receive any more.

But you can still watch the eclipse safely:

Events – Find organizations hosting eclipse watching events in our area.
Viewers – Visit the American Astronomical Society website for a list of reputable vendors of solar filters and viewers.
Pinhole Camera – Learn how to make your own easy pinhole camera for eclipse watching from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
Everyday Objects – Science Friday has a great list of “5 Ways to View the Solar Eclipse” safely – including using household objects, like a colander, to cast shadows!

Whether you plan to experience the eclipse here in Arlington, or in the “path of totality,” solar eclipse viewing glasses or some other method of indirect viewing is recommended, as looking directly at the sun can cause serious and permanent damage to eyes.

On August 21, 2017, a rare solar event, dubbed the “Great American Eclipse,” will be visible across the continental United States. During the event a roughly 70-mile path, stretching from Oregon to South Carolina and known as the “path of totality,” will experience a brief total eclipse.

Summer Reading: There’s Still Time to Join the Fun

VACo Honors Arlington’s Pioneering Energy Lending Library Program

Arlington County’s Energy Lending Library program has received the Virginia Association of Counties (VACo) 2017 Achievement Award.

Back to School Resources

With Labor Day already around the corner it is time to start thinking about a new school year…

The Library can help with your children’s learning needs, whether they need help managing homework, writing a research paper or practicing reading skills.

Reading Recommendations

Our Back to School booklist offer encouragement for busy parents and anxious little ones facing change. We understand that you don’t always have time to visit the Library. You can try Beanstack for personalized reading suggestions tailored to your child’s interests, delivered weekly to your inbox.

Afterschool Activities

Many of our branches offer fun and educational afterschool activities to help your elementary school-age child succeed. Paws to Read helps new readers gain confidence and improve their reading skills by reading to patient, nonjudgmental dogs. Reading Buddies pairs children who are learning to read with middle and high school students who love literature and kids. Kids can explore hands-on arts, crafts and building activities at Kids Clubs. They can “learn to tinker and tinker to learn” with fun, STEAM-based, hands-on activities at our Maker Clubs — offered for various ages.

Homework Help

Virginia students (grades 3-12) can use Literati Online Tutoring to work on homework with state-certified teachers.

Research Tools

The Library offers several age-appropriate research tools: Use National Geographic Kids (grades K-9) to discover science, history and geography; Kids InfoBits (grades K-5) to learn fun and important facts with connections to current and past events; Britannica Academic (grades K-12) to browse articles and related media; Research in Context (grades 6-8) to gain insight into cultures, history and social issues.

College Resources

Returning high school students who are thinking about higher education can attend a class or workshop, or schedule an appointment with our College and Career Librarian to learn about high quality scholarship opportunities.

And best of all, it’s all free from your Library.

Crystal City: Connection Pop-Up Library to Stay Open Through June 2018

From the County Press Release:

The Connection: Crystal City—Pop-up Branch Library will be open through June 2018, thanks to an agreement reached between Arlington County and landlord JBG Smith.

“The Connection has proven to be an innovative and popular space for the Crystal City community,” Arlington County Manager Mark Schwartz said. “Thanks to JBG for partnering with us to keep the pop-up branch library open through June 2018. When the business community and the government work together, the community benefits.”

The County opened the pop-up library at 2100 Crystal Drive in September 2016, with an initial operating term due to end in December of this year. It offers books, audio visual materials, games and tech access, along with community meeting space, workshops, book groups and other gatherings, including art exhibits. The goal was to meet patrons where they live and work in a low-cost way. Since its debut, the library has enlivened Crystal City Shops at 2100, 2117 Crystal Plaza Arcade and garnered an overwhelmingly positive response from the community.

“The revitalization of Crystal City is a top priority for JBG Smith,” said Andrew VanHorn, Executive Vice President of Development at JBG Smith. “The Connection is a prime example of the place-making efforts we are employing throughout the area, in that we are finding creative ways to provide value and utilize space. It has been especially rewarding to be able to work closely with Arlington County to provide a service that Crystal City residents and neighbors both need and enjoy.”

JBG will continue to provide the 1,222 sq. ft. of space that The Connection occupies rent-free. Beginning in January 2018, JBG also will be responsible for The Connection’s share of common area maintenance expenses, real estate taxes and electricity associated with the space the pop-up library occupies in the 2100 Crystal Drive Center.

Learn more about The Connection.

Public Computer Maintenance: July 25 – August 8

Due to routine upgrades, our public computers may be unavailable at the following locations on these dates:

Date	Location
Tuesday, July 25	Shirlington Branch Library
Wednesday, July 26	Aurora Hills Branch Library
Friday, July 28	Central Library
Tuesday, Aug. 1	Columbia Pike Branch Library
Wednesday, Aug. 2	Cherrydale Branch Library
Wednesday, Aug. 2	Glencarlyn Branch Library
Tuesday, Aug. 8	Westover Branch Library

We apologize for the downtime.

2017 LEGO Exhibit: Call for Entries

Submit Your Creation for the 5th Annual LEGO Exhibit

Open to LEGO builders age 18 and under, as well as teams that include at least one member under 18.

Submission Deadline: Sunday, Aug. 27
Exhibit: September 1 – 30

To apply, send an email to ceys@arlingtonva.us with the following included:

Photo and name of your entry
Description and dimensions of your entry
Name and age of individual builder or team members
Name(s) and age(s) of builder(s)
Address and phone number
School attending in Fall 2017
Preferred location(s) for display: Central Library, Aurora Hills Branch, Cherrydale Branch, Columbia Pike Branch, Shirlington Branch, Westover Branch, or the Connection: Crystal City Pop-up Library. We will do our best to honor location requests, but may not be able to do so given space limitations and size of entries.

Rules:

Entries must be ORIGINAL WORK. Instructions found in a book or online may be followed, but no entries built from commercial kits will be accepted.
Entries must fit on a 10×10″ baseplate. Please check with your local branch about height requirements.
Selected entries must be delivered to the assigned Library location for September 2017 exhibit, with name and description on a 5×7″ card.

Planning a Summer Trip? Take Great Book!

Looking for hot summer reading suggestions?

This list is full of great books for your summer getaway – or your weekend on the couch.

Don’t forget to tag and share your #LibraryBooksInTheWild.

View the entire list in the library catalog.

Share Your #LibraryBooksIntheWild

Where Will You Take the Library this Summer?

Any time you go somewhere interesting with a library item – whether you’re reading on vacation, carrying an American Girl Doll to the grocery store, digging in your garden with a hand rake, or playing board games in the living room with friends – snap a photo and share it on your social media account with the hashtag #LibraryInTheWild or #LibraryBooksInTheWild.

By using these hashtags, you’ll show the people in your circles that you’re a proud library user – and you may even inspire them to do the same thing.

And if your social media account settings allow, we’ll be able to find your photos when we search the hashtags, and we can share them or add them on Storify.

Sign Up for Summer Reading, Win Prizes, and Help Build a Better World

Summer Reading is a fun for everyone!

Summer Reading helps kids and teens avoid “summer slide,” and reintroduces them to the joy of reading for pleasure. It gives parents and kids an excuse to read or listen to books together, and it gives adults a reason to explore new books and authors.

How Summer Reading Works

Register Online Starting June 3 – Children 12 and under register with a parent or guardian’s permission.
Track your reading – Use the online Summer Reading site or your printed reading log.
Claim fun prizes
Get optional weekly book recs (for kids age 0-12).

Important Dates

Kick-Off – Saturday, June 3
Last Day to Sign Up – Saturday, Aug. 19
End of Summer Ice Cream Party (grade 6-12) – Wednesday, Aug. 16
Summer Reading Ends (Last Day to Pick Up Prizes) – Sunday, Sept. 10

Go to full web version.