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Arlington Public Library

News Release

Aurora Hills, Columbia Pike and Central Library to Reopen July 6

Central Libraryb entyrance with Pride banner.

With Summer Reading in full swing, Arlington Public Library is prioritizing expansion of in-person service and increased access to library collections this summer. The Library is currently hiring and training additional staff to prepare for this phased reopening after an unprecedented staff shortage due to the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent hiring freeze.

The Express Library Service model will be in place across the Library system until the Library is closer to normal staffing levels.

Opening This Summer

Aurora Hills, Columbia Pike and Central Library will reopen for Express Library Service on July 6.

  • Central Library will expand from Holds Pickup to Express Library Service.
  • Operating hours to be announced closer to opening date.
  • All open branches will prioritize access to library collections.
  • Meeting rooms, spaced seating and public PCs will be reinstated as soon as staffing allows.
  • Storytime will resume branch-wide once staffing increases.
  • The Center for Local History at Central Library will open by appointment later this summer.

Fall Expansion of Services

Cherrydale and Glencarlyn Library will reopen Fall 2021.

  • Programming will expand across the Library system as staffing increases

Service Updates

  • The Shed, the Library’s seasonal garden-tool lending service, will remain closed for the 2021 growing season for staffing reasons, with plans to reopen in 2022.
  • The Shop, the Library’s maker space, will remain closed until staffing allows for increased levels of programming.
  • The Plaza branch will remain closed in preparation for a long-planned expansion and renovation.

Returns

The Library is no longer quarantining returned items. However, due to staffing shortage, items may not get checked in for several days after they have been returned in a book drop. If over 7 days have passed since you returned your library items and they remain on your account, please contact the Library to update your account.

In anticipation of reopening additional branches and expanded programs, we wanted to thank our patrons and the Arlington community for your continued support and patience during these past 15 months. We look forward to seeing you back at the library!

As always, we value your feedback. Tell us what you think about our Library services. We will read and consider all comments.

Send Us Your Feedback

2021 Summer Reading Offers Tasty Programs, Hot Prizes and Fresh Booklists for Everyone!

Zest up your summer with Arlington Public Library’s full menu of refreshing Summer Reading: Food for Thought programs, win tasteful prizes and support the Arlington Food Assistance Center (AFAC) while you read!

Photo of a colorful window mural at Westover Library.

Explore curated book lists and participate in a food-themed  scavenger hunt at the Wonder Window at Westover.

How Summer Reading Works

  • Read for 30 days. You can't read too little or too much on any day and you don't have to read for 30 days in a row.
  • Register and track your reading in the Library App or the paper log (available at open branches or download PDF).
  • For each reader who finishes the Summer Reading challenge, the Friends of the Arlington Public Library will donate $1 to AFAC.
  • Learn more about Summer Reading prizes and raffles.

On the Menu for June

  • Wednesday, June 9, 7 - 9 p.m., online
    Kitchen Literacy with Ann Vileisis
    Join award-winning author and historian Ann Vileisis as she recounts the colorful history of preparing dinner in America. RSVP
  • Friday, June 11, 10 - 11 a.m., Shirlington Branch Library
    Family Zumba at the Library
    Children can jam out to their favorite music and be active in a kid-friendly version of Zumba class. RSVP
  • Friday, June 11, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m., Westover Branch Library
    Summer Reading Kickoff Celebration with Spinny Johnson
    Bring the whole family for a fun outdoor event featuring artist and athlete Spinny Johnson to launch the Summer Reading Challenge. RSVP

Summer Reading helps children and teens to avoid the summer slide and reintroduces them to the joy of reading. It provides parents and kids with a tool to read or listen to books together and it gives adults a reason to explore new books and authors.

Summer Reading: Food for Thought is made possible through the generosity of the Friends of the Arlington Public Library and the Washington Nationals.

Learn more about the 2021 Summer Reading challenge and all the featured summer events.

New Outdoor Storytime Series at Central and Shirlington Library

In-Person Storytime Series Kicks Off Outside at Central Library on May 18.

Young girl holding a teddy bear while sitting outside in the park.

Outdoor Storytime is a fun and interactive program, presented by youth service librarians, and combines activities such as read-aloud stories, songs, rhymes, fingerplays and flannel boards.

A kick-off event will be held on Tuesday, May 18, 10 a.m., at Central Library adjacent to Quincy Park, with special guest Arlington Public Library Director Diane Kresh.

“We are thrilled to bring back one of our most popular programs for young children,” said Library Director Kresh. “Storytimes lay the foundation for curiosity, imagination and deepen the connection to the outside world,” Kresh continued.

Two programs will be offered — Family Storytime for children from 0-5 years, and Lapsit Storytime for babies age 12 months and under. Each program lasts approximately for 20 minutes.

Family Storytime (0-5 years)

  • Outside Central Library – Tuesdays, 10 a.m., May 18 – June 29
  • Outside Shirlington Branch – Tuesdays, 10 a.m., May 25 – June 29

Baby Lapsit Storytime (0-12 months)

  • Outside Central Library – Thursdays, 10 a.m., May 20 – July 1
  • Outside Shirlington Branch – Thursdays, 10 a.m., May 20 – July 1

For safety, family groups should be accompanied by one adult only and spaced 6 feet apart to account for social distancing. Masks are required for adults and all attendees are encouraged to wear a mask.

Attendance at Outdoor Storytimes and Baby Lapsit Storytimes will be first-come, first-served until event capacity is reached.

Interested in attending? Visit our events calendar to RSVP for an event reminder and to receive weather-related cancellation notifications.

Columbia Pike & Aurora Hills Update, Outdoor Storytimes

Columbia Pike Front Window

Interior of the newly renovated Columbia Pike Library.

As we look towards summer, Arlington Public Library is preparing to increase in-person services and reopen additional Library branches in the coming months.

Summer Goals

Based on the recently approved Arlington County FY22 Budget, the Library plans to expand open locations after July 1, as hiring and training of new staff allows.

The Library hopes to:

  • Open Aurora Hills and the newly renovated Columbia Pike branches during July
  • Open Cherrydale and Glencarlyn branches by Fall 2021, and sooner if possible
  • Expand service models at Central Library, Shirlington and Westover branches
  • Prioritize increased access to library collections, public computers and public space at all locations, with continued consideration for social-distancing

The Plaza branch will remain closed in preparation for a long-planned expansion and renovation.

Stay tuned for additional updates and specific dates for service changes as summer approaches.

Community Programs

Planning continues for socially-distanced outdoor Library programs this summer.

Donations & Book Sales

The Library and the Friends of the Arlington Public Library (FOAL) cannot accept unsolicited donations at this time, as we do not have the space to store them or the staff available to sort them.

The Friends are doing limited FOAL member book donation events by appointment only. For more information, please follow the Friends on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram, or contact them by email at donations@arlingtonlibraryfriends.org.

Join the Friends

We can't wait to see you back at the Library, or at one of our outdoor programs!

As always, we value your feedback. Tell us what you think about our Library services. We will read and consider all comments.

Library Services Feedback

Express Library Service Open at Shirlington and Westover

We look forward to welcoming you back for 15-minute browsing and holds pickup at the Shirlington and Westover Branches!

Hours:

  • Tuesday to Thursday: 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.
  • Friday and Saturday: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Express Libraries look very different — available services, visit length and capacity will be limited and safety protocols will apply.

Read the Express Library FAQs

Before You Visit

  • Review the FAQs and safety protocols on this page.
  • Pay fines of $15 or over on your Library account, as fine payment is not available at self-check.
  • For low-contact self-check, download the Arlington Public Library App and scan your digital library card at checkout.
  • Update your username for easier holds pickup.
  • Review your library account contact information, including your notification preferences.
  • If you haven't used your library card since before June 2020, update your PIN to a new password.
  • If you signed up for a card online and this will be your first visit to the library, bring ID and proof of address with you so staff can verify your account. You will not be able to use self-check until your account has been verified.
  • Check the online catalog for availability and location/call number of items you are interested in.

Holds

When you place items on hold you will now see the option to choose Shirlington or Westover as your holds pickup location. You can also change the pickup location of items currently on hold.

Holds at Express Libraries are self-service, shelved by username.

Usernames

Holds are shelved by username. Your username can be used to log into your account in place of your library card number. If you have never selected a username, the default username on your account is your name: FirstMiddle.Last or First.Last.

Reasons to update your username:

  • Patrons who have a common first name may wish to set a unique username to make self-service holds pickup easier.
  • Patrons who prefer to keep their names private may set a username.
  • Family members may choose similar usernames so their holds will be shelved close together.

Please note: Changes to usernames will not affect items currently ready for pickup.

Download the Library App