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Know Your Rights: The library is here to help.

Public libraries are trusted sources for accurate and well-researched information. Libraries have a long history of providing free resources and education to immigrants and refugees. Arlington Public Library is committed to educating the community about individual rights and providing relevant resources when you need them most.

Immigrants have rights. Regardless of your immigration status, you have guaranteed rights under the Constitution. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has information about your rights as an immigrant, and how to express them. United We Dream provides information about what to do if you have an encounter with an immigration officer.

Arlington County has a commitment to strengthening trust with the immigrant community. Additional resources for immigrants can be found on the County’s website.

There are many resources to learn about your rights, as well as information about the official path to citizenship.

The library has compiled additional free legal and social services resources for immigrants that can be found on the library’s website as well as eCollections for Immigrants, Refugees, and New Citizens.

In addition, Arlington Public Library is committed to protecting the privacy of all information about patron requests for service, materials, loan transactions, online sites and resources accessed.

Confidentiality of customer records is protected under state law: Virginia Code § 2.2-3705.7. The Library will comply with all proper judicial process (government order to produce documents or information) authenticated by the County Attorney, while preserving customer confidentiality to the extent allowed by law. Additional details about the library’s privacy policy are on our website.

The American Library Association details the relationship between libraries and immigration enforcement.

Please stay tuned for updates.

New February Releases

Our Hearts ❤️ Are In The Books 📖

This year, we’re sending valentines to our favorite authors and book characters. Whether they make us laugh, cry, think or all of the above, they ensure our hearts will always be between the pages.

The Ethiopian government banned "Oromay" days after it was released in 1983. Author Baalu Girma disappeared mere months later, widely believed to be murdered by the regime in retaliation for this powerful anti-war novel. Set against the Red Star Campaign against Eritrean insurgents, a journalist grows increasingly disillusioned while navigating propaganda, war and personal turmoil. Translated from Amharic by David Degusta and Mesfin Felleke Yirgu, it’s now available in English for the first time.

In Molly O’Neill’s "Greenteeth," a lake monster, a witch and a goblin go on a quest to fight a malevolent force threatening their home. Steeped in British folklore and Arthurian legend, this rich fantasy mixes eerie magic, adventure and found family. Perfect for fans of mythic quests.

In "You Didn’t Hear This From Me," Kelsey McKinney, the host of the Normal Gossip podcast examines the role gossip plays in human connection. Using personal stories, research and pop culture from Gilgamesh to The Real Housewives, she explores the good and bad sides of talking about others behind their back.

"Waste Wars" is a hard-hitting exposé of the global waste trade and uncovers how the affluent nations of the Global North offload their trash onto poorer countries under the guise of recycling. From toxic shipbreaking in Turkey to hazardous e-waste processing in Ghana, Alexander Clapp looks at the dark underbelly of consumerism and its devastating consequences.

The middle grade graphic novel "Crumble" follows Emily, who can bake her emotions into desserts. Her family of bakers have one cardinal rule–never bake a bad feeling. But after the devastating loss of her aunt, Emily bakes her grief with widespread unintended consequences. Written by Meredith McClaren and illustrated by Andrea Ball, this is a poignant look at grief, magic and healing.

Teen readers will want to check out the swashbuckling fantasy "Capitana" by Cassandra James. When the Queen is kidnapped by pirates, Cadet Ximena sees her chance to prove her loyalty and become a Cazadoro, a pirate hunter. But her journey, complete with rivalries, high-stakes action and a slow-burning romance with her competitor challenges everything she thought she knew.

Place Your Holds Now!

More Book Lists to Explore

Best recent Black Fiction
Best recent romance

Sharing the Love: Elizabeth and Edmund Campbell

This year’s theme for Arlington Reads is love – sharing it, celebrating it, and reading about it. We thought it was a good opportunity to highlight some of our favorite Arlington power couples who worked together to ‘spread the love’ in their communities. This is part one of an ongoing series of blog posts, each featuring a different couple.

Edmund and Elizabeth Campbell.

Edmund and Elizabeth Campbell. Photos from RG 19: Personal Papers of Elizabeth Pfohl Campbell, 1942-1991.

During their 60 years of marriage, Elizabeth and Edmund Campbell dedicated themselves to improving Arlington’s public school system. Leveraging their respective skills in education and law, they motivated one another to support their community through political engagement, volunteering and activism.

Edmund Campbell (1899–1995) met Elizabeth Pfohl (1902–2004) in 1936 while Elizabeth was serving as dean of Mary Baldwin College in Staunton, Virginia. After they married, Elizabeth moved to Cherrydale, where Edmund lived while practicing law in Washington. She adopted Edmund’s two children from a previous marriage and in 1941 they had twins of their own.

At that time, Arlington’s population was booming, in part because of the influx of wartime government workers. Between 1870 (when the first public school was established in Arlington) and 1950, the school-age population had nearly quadrupled. The school system was unequipped to teach so many children. Resources were spread thin and teachers were overwhelmed by large class sizes and long hours.

a license plate that reads, better schools make better communities.

License plate with the phrase, "Better Schools Make Better Communities" From RG 19.

The Campbells, wanting a better education for their children, decided to step up and demand a change. They became charter members of the Citizen Committee for School Improvement ("CCSI").

In 1947, they helped introduce legislation that gave Arlington the right to elect its own School Board, which they hoped would better serve the community. Until then, the School Board had been appointed by a School Trustee Electoral Board which in turn was appointed by the circuit court of Arlington County.

a newsletter from Citizen Committee for School Improvement (CCSI).

CCSI Newsletter, n.d. From RG 19.

Following this victory, CCSI focused on gathering nominees for the elected School Board. Despite her professional background in education and involvement in the Arlington PTA, Elizabeth Campbell declined to run—until her husband encouraged her to do so.

EDMUND: How did you get involved formally in the Better Schools Movement?

ELIZABETH: Well, I was asked to be a candidate to run for the elected school board, and I think I was asked after the two of us had received a group of Arlington citizens who said, "Which one of you will be a candidate for the School Board?" And you said, "I will not, but Elizabeth, I think you should because you have been active in school affairs."

EDMUND: And I had just finished my term on the County Board.

ELIZABETH: So, then you were asked to be the Chairman of the School Board Nominating Convention. The Convention was held on a hot August night, and I...

EDMUND: Where was it held?

ELIZABETH: It was held in the Ashton Heights Club House south of Pershing Drive on Fillmore Street. I remember that we got ready to go over there. We got in the car, and as we drove, you said, "Now, Elizabeth, you have worked very hard to get an elected School Board. There's no reason why with all of these good people as candidates you shouldn't get yourself nominated.” And I said, "No, I'm not going to."

But I got over there in that crowded room, and I was asked to make my little one-minute or two-minute talk. I looked around at all of the people who had worked so hard to pass this legislation to give us the right to have an elected School Board. I was thrilled with a patriotic fervor that I had never felt before or since. I don't know what I said, but the result of what I said was that I was the one woman nominated to serve with four men as candidates for the Arlington Elected School Board.

A notecard with a guide on school board candidates to vote for in 1947 election.

Notecard with a guide on which school board candidates to vote for in the 1947 election. From RG 19.

After a grueling campaign, they succeeded in getting all five nominees elected. Elizabeth served on the School Board from 1948 through 1955, and again from 1960 to 1963. They often held meetings in the Campbells’ home, where Edmund continued to support Elizabeth and the work they were doing to raise funds for school improvements.

A pamphlet urging Arlington residents to vote yes for a bond in the 1950s.

Pamphlet urging Arlington Residents to vote "Yes" to a bond issue of $4,750,000 to build more schools for Arlington's increased population and school enrollment. From RG 19.

The Campbells also helped desegregate Arlington’s schools, vehemently opposing Virginia’s policy of “Massive Resistance,” which occurred in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court decisions in Brown v. Board of Education. In 1954 and 1955, the couple fought to ensure that Arlington's public schools stay open by organizing the Save Our Schools Committee in defiance of Senator Harry F. Byrd and his allies.

a flyer from the save our schools committee for voting against the constitutional convention.

Flyer from the Save Our Schools Committee arguing for a vote against the constitutional convention. From RG 18: Personal Papers of Barbara Marx.

In 1955, Edmund won a case that overturned a Virginia law prohibiting racially integrated seating in public places. In 1958, following the closure of schools in Norfolk, Charlottesville and Front Royal, he successfully argued as the lead attorney in James v. Almond, finally ending Virginia's “Massive Resistance" laws that had forced the closing of all public schools which Federal courts had ordered to integrate. Following that decision, the first Black students entered Stratford Junior High School on February 2, 1959.

Through civic engagement, community organizing and simple kindness, the Campbells worked together to make Arlington a better place for the rest of their lives.

Sources:

Help Build Arlington's Community History

The Charlie Clark Center for Local History (CCCLH) collects, preserves and shares resources that illustrate Arlington County’s history, diversity and communities. Learn how you can play an active role in documenting Arlington's history by donating physical and/or digital materials for the Center for Local History’s permanent collection.

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Sally Slifkin: Colorful places

Cherrydale Library, January - April 2025

Artist Statement:

I have been painting for most of my life. I draw inspiration for my acrylic landscapes from photographs that I have taken both locally in Arlington and on my travels both in and out of the country. Recently one of my paintings was purchased by the Arlington County Board to be gifted to Aachen, Germany, Arlington's sister city. I am a member of the Arlington Artists Alliance and show my paintings in shows and venues all around Arlington. I paint in acrylic on canvas or board and have artwork in many homes and businesses.

Learn More About Art Exhibits at the Library

Director’s Message: a 2024 too long, yet not long enough

First, a story...

Library Director Diane Kresh leans over a table in conversation with a young girl during a book sale in the Central Library parking garage. Another library volunteer wearing a green apron is engaged nearby. The table is surrounded by books and event signage, with a colorful backdrop featuring illustrations of books and trees.

Chrysalis, one of our youth services librarians, shared this story with me:

"A few weeks ago, I was chatting with a mom and daughter before storytime who have attended regularly for a couple years now. She mentioned that her child loves playing librarian with their bookshelf at home, taking the books down to read, then putting them all back on the shelf.

Her daughter doesn’t quite understand what a librarian is yet, but she knows it has something to do with books. One day, she had pulled off all of her books to read and as she went to put them away, she looked at the pile of books and said:

'I am a librarian, and there is much work to be done.'"

Indeed.

2024 was a year that both ran too long yet not long enough. Let me explain. Too long to witness the tragedies and heartbreak encircling the globe. Not long enough to do all the things we librarians strive to do each day—inform, preserve, protect—to hold the people of our communities in shared humanity, focusing on unity.

Deaf Plus Advocate Jeremy Smith, wearing a red cap and glasses, signs expressively in conversation with a participant during Arlington Public Library's Human Library event. A sign on the table identifies his topic, 'My DeafPlus Life,' as part of the program. The library's open and modern space is visible in the background, with other participants seated at tables.
A joyful moment during a Naturalization Ceremony at Central Library, with a woman in a teal cardigan proudly waving a small American flag. She is surrounded by other participants, some holding flags and official documents from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, all celebrating their new citizenship.

Typically, this Director’s Message recaps our previous year.

Here goes:

The books I read: debut authors (Essie Chambers) and old masters (Charles Dickens, Jean Stafford). Favorites included Louise Erdrich and Kate Atkinson and prize winners such as “James” by Percival Everett and “Orbital” by Samantha Harvey, as well as “Held” by Anne Michaels.

There were writers whose every word I hung on, Claire Keegan as an example. New York Times list toppers (Elena Ferrante), and surprises such as “The Chilbury Ladies’ Choir” by Jennifer Ryan. Books about books: “The Reading List” by Sara Nisha Adams. And romance novels by Casey McQuiston and Dolly Alderton in anticipation of “Share the Love,” the 2025 Arlington Reads theme—a celebration of love in all of its manifestations and a chance to get beyond ourselves and into the hearts and minds of others.

My full reading list appears on Goodreads. In the new year, I am switching to StoryGraph to join a new community of book lovers. I hope many of you will connect with me there. If you struggle with finding either the time or the inclination to read, check out this piece from Axios. Lots of tips to spark one’s inner reader.

The 2024 Arlington Reads homage to James Baldwin underscored what a towering presence he remains in American literature. Likewise, our celebration of Afrofuturism introduced us to groundbreaking storytelling.

A photograph of a James Baldwin community read event at Central Library. In the foreground, a framed poster promotes the "James Baldwin Centennial," featuring an image of Baldwin smiling against a warm-toned background. Below, text invites attendees to share their stories, with a QR code and the Arlington Public Library logo displayed. The poster is positioned next to an open door leading into a well-lit room where participants are seated at tables, engaged in discussion. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, with visible details of the brick wall and modern interior lighting.
Author Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah signs books and chats with attendees after his Arlington Reads event. He is wearing a colorful jacket and headband, holding a stack of books, including one titled "Chain-Gang All-Stars." A group of smiling attendees surrounds him, holding books and coats. The background shows a blue wall and a large projector screen displaying the Arlington Public Library logo and text encouraging participation in future events. The atmosphere is lively and engaging.

The Human Library and the Holiday Gift Nook returned—strong reminders Arlington residents are full to bursting with empathy and generosity. Thank you to all who participated.

The Shed, The Shop, our bookstores and gardens, GameFest and the creative Instagram reels, kept us nourished, curious, entertained and connected. Thank you to our talented library staff and volunteers.

A mother and young child explore a table filled with colorful toys at Arlington Public Library's Holiday Gift Nook. The mother, wearing a yellow scarf with a pattern, holds the child as they reach out toward a blue toy helicopter. The background features a frosted glass wall with a map-like design, adding a festive yet modern ambiance to the event. The table is stocked with various toys and games, creating a cheerful and family-friendly atmosphere.
A group of participants enjoys a board game at Arlington Public Library's GameFest event. A young boy wearing a green hoodie focuses intently on his game piece while an adult next to him, smiling and wearing sunglasses on his head, watches attentively. Other players, including a woman in a striped sweater and additional participants blurred in the foreground, are engaged in the activity. A colorful game setup with dice and cards is spread across the table, creating a fun and interactive atmosphere in the library space. A mounted TV screen is visible in the background.

The library’s patrons showed up. Our annual circulation broke records: eCirculation grew by more than 40% and many thousands of Arlingtonians attended more than 3,500 programs. Our patrons expressed good wishes in letters, emails and in person, further grounding our commitments to social justice, compassion and fairness.

The Library’s goals for 2025 remain the same. To hear and respond to those whose voices we have occasionally tuned out. To see those who live on the margins. To do our best each day for ourselves and for each other.

A large group photo of Arlington Public Library staff gathered at a holiday party. The group is diverse, with attendees dressed in festive attire, including holiday sweaters, bright scarves, and red accents. Some individuals wear name tags, and a few in the front row are seated on the floor, smiling cheerfully. In the background, a presentation screen displays text about the upcoming APL Trivia Tournament, set for Spring 2025. The atmosphere is warm and joyful, showcasing camaraderie and celebration among the staff.

From the staff and volunteers of Arlington Public Library and the members of the Friends of the Arlington Public Library, we wish you all the best for 2025! There is much work to be done.

Signatue of Library Director Diane Kresh.

Diane Kresh
Director, Arlington Public Library

New January Releases

Our new January releases are here! Place Your Holds Now! ⛄⛸️🏒

There are so many great books coming out this month to start off 2025 with epic stories, intriguing plot twists and new ways of looking at the world.

"Homeseeking" by Karissa Chen, an epic story of love and war, travels forward and backward in time as it follows two childhood sweethearts separated in 1947 Shanghai until they see each other again in 2008 at a Los Angeles supermarket.

When her drag mother, Lady Lady, is murdered by poisoned chocolate, police bias mars the investigation. Drag star Misty Divine takes on the case, armed with her knowledge of the drag world and everything she has learned from binging true crime shows in Holly Star’s "Murder in the Dressing Room."

The death at the center Fall River, America’s first true crime book, also inspired "The Scarlet Letter" by Nathaniel Hawthorne but remains a mystery. Combining the groundbreaking work of Fall River and modern crime-solving techniques, Kate Winkler Dawson reopens the case in the thought-provoking "The Sinners All Bow."

"Mood Machine" by Liz Pelly offers a sharp critique of Spotify’s impact on the music industry and reveals how the streaming giant favors major labels while exploiting independent artists. This provocative and well-researched book is a must-read for anyone concerned about the future of music.

When Ajay Anthonipillai steals a candy bar, he discovers it holds a million-dollar prize. Now he has to decide if he takes the money, which will change everything for his family, or tell the truth. This middle grade novel, "No Purchase Necessary" by Maria Marianayagam, is full of humor, tension and heart.

A new teen edition of "The Black Swans of Harlem" by Karen Velby introduces readers to Lydia Abarca, Gayle McKinney-Griffith, Sheila Rohan, Marcia Sells and Karlya Shelton. Five dancers, who were integral to the founding of the Dance Theatre of Harlem, broke color barriers in a predominantly white world of ballet. Learn about their enduring legacy in classical dance and their ongoing influence on future generations of dancers.

Place Your Holds Now!

More Book Lists to Explore

Explore the fun side of winter with these curated lists!

Skiing & Snowboarding
Hockey Romance

Nicole Espy: Letterpress Print

Courthouse Library, January 7 - April 29, 2025

Nicole Espy:

I am an amateur printmaker from Atlanta, GA, who trained in screen-printing and letterpress in Seattle, WA. My artistic interests are in understanding the way figure and landscape are rendered by different medias and I currently try to make landscapes that have been simplified in various ways but made more complex by color. The message my work hopes to convey is the texture of an individuality and inner life of black women like me.

This series of prints depict black women in nature - such as national parks, forests, and imagined landscapes - framed by assertive text - mission statements, wishes, and desires. I hope this series is a call to action for all people to care for and give respect to the people and places that surround them.

​

Learn More About Art Exhibits at the Library

“Am I Welcome Here?” An art exhibit about diversity and inclusion from international students’ eyes

Central Library, January 14 - April 29, 2025

Participating artists: Miki Nishida Goerdt, Yasmeen Houdaib, Youn Lee, Alexandra Rivera Rivera, Xinhang Xu, Chengjiaoyang (Valentine) Xue

We are a group of artists who have the experience of being international students in American colleges and universities. We left our home countries (Japan, Palestine/Kuwait, Puerto Rico, Korea, and China) to study in the United States. We share a passion for art therapy, and we believe art can bring people together. American universities and colleges seek out international students like us, not only to increase campus awareness of global issues, but also for promotional purposes and revenue generation. Although approximately one million international students are enrolled in American higher education, it is unclear what it means to truly welcome and support them once they arrive here.

According to published research on their experiences, international students often struggle to navigate the institutional communities they’ve been invited to join, dealing with issues ranging from differences between educational systems to language barriers and cultural differences. Students desire to “belong” within their new host environments, but they also report feeling caught between racial stereotyping and being ignored. Although they are not always seen as an equityseeking group, they experience real structural barriers. One study found that images of international students were used to celebrate diversity, but institutions’ strategic communications rarely addressed these students’ racial identities or their experiences of racism on campus.

We were invited to be in this country, but are we welcome here? With the art in this exhibition, we are exploring what it means to create an inclusive community with you. How do we include and support everyone? How do we cultivate a sense of belonging for all of us?

Learn More About Art Exhibits at the Library

Slima Shahati: Patchwork

Westover Library, Jan 3 - April 2025

Slima Shahati

As an artist, I create handmade patchwork pieces from fabric scraps. Each piece is carefully stitched together to form vibrant and unique designs. My work celebrates the beauty in small, forgotten materials, turning them into something new and meaningful. Through my art, I hope to show how even the smallest pieces can come together to create something beautiful.

Learn More About Art Exhibits at the Library

Zafri Yussoff: Neon Noir

Shirlington Library, January - April 2025

Artist's Reception: April 8, 2025, 6-8PM @ Shirlington Branch Library

Zafri Yussoff:

Various media have depicted what the future could look like. Some portray it as post-apocalyptic, a dystopia, or in neon. The latter has always been the most intriguing to me, as it gives a mysterious but technological feeling.
​
To create these images, I combined the photo acquisition of infrared with neon glow effects, through Adobe Photoshop. The purpose of infrared is to capture the natural light of any subject in a wavelength that is invisible to the human eye. The best time to capture infrared photos is at noon, on a sunny day in the spring or summer. The final aesthetic of each would result in monochrome, instead of color.
​
With the neon glow effects, learning a new technique in Photoshop was easy. I used the pen tool and set it to the color white. Next, I precisely clicked to pinpoint each corner or curve on any line that I saw. Finally, with each line finished, I set the outer glow effect to the color of my choosing, such as blue and pink. The consistency of them was important because this aesthetic was heavily inspired by the movie Blade Runner and video game Cyberpunk 2077, in which both are set in the future, featuring neon and noir respectively. Likewise, I chose the remaining colors to have a subtle presence, acting as the background.

Another reason for this aesthetic came from listening to lofi music and synthwave music (electronic microgenre). Whenever I listened, they would be interpreted as electronically peaceful and calming. With the presence of these luminous lights, the monochrome aesthetic allows me to see the world in a different way.

Learn More About Art Exhibits at the Library






















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