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Service Updates
Three Additional Library Locations To Open & Hours Expand Across the System
Starting July 6, Arlington residents and Library patrons will have access to five open library locations — Aurora Hills, Central, Columbia Pike, Shirlington and Westover libraries.
Arlington Public Library will prioritize access to library collections, reintroduce core library services and feature new operating hours across the system. The Express Library Service model and Central Library’s Holds-Only Pickup Service will end, and all holds will now be available for self-serve access inside library locations.
New Hours at all Five Open Locations
- Monday/Tuesday: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
- Wednesday/Thursday: 12 p.m. - 7 p.m.
- Friday/Saturday: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Available starting Tuesday, July 6
- Full access to Library’s collections and unlimited browsing time with no capacity limits at all open locations
- Self-service holds pickup at all open locations
- Spaced seating for public Wi-Fi and study use
- Public copiers / scanners at all open locations except Westover
- Account management assistance
- Full access to public restrooms and water fountains
- Parking garage at Central Library
The Center for Local History at Central Library will be open to the public by appointment after July 6. Outdoor and Indoor Storytime programs will start in late July.
The Library has been steadily working all spring to fill a high number of vacant public service jobs after an unprecedented staff shortage due to the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent hiring freeze. Hiring and training new staff will continue this summer with the goal of arriving at more normal staffing levels in the Fall.
As Arlington Public Library continues to reopen in stages, patrons will have access to expanded library services.
After August 6
- Public PCs will be available.
- Meeting spaces will be bookable online for public use.
- Indoor programming will expand across the Library system as staffing increases.
- Book donations will be accepted by the Friends of the Arlington Library at all locations.
Fall Expansion of Services
- Sunday hours will return after Labor Day.
- Friends of the Arlington Public Library book stores will reopen in the Fall.
- Cherrydale and Glencarlyn Library will reopen Fall 2021.
Additional Service Updates
- When visiting the Library, the Arlington County Visitor Face Covering Policy is in effect.
- 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.
During the first week of reopening, the public is invited to attend the ribbon cutting ceremony and community celebration of the newly renovated Columbia Pike Library on Thursday, July 8, 4 - 6 p.m. Join members of the County Board, the County Manager and Library Director Diane Kresh in the ribbon cutting ceremony, followed by family-friendly events, music and ice cream, and a tour of the transformed Library Branch.
View the complete list of Library services.
As always, we value your feedback. Tell us what you think about our Library services. We will read and consider all comments.
Central Holds Pickup Open 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. on Saturday, July 3
On Saturday, July 3, Central Library’s Holds Pickup will be open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. instead of 12 – 5 p.m., in order to prepare for reopening on July 6.
Virtual Resume & Job Search Help on Summer Break
On Break Starting June 24
The virtual resume and job search team is on summer break but you can still get help!
The Arlington Employment Center also offers a variety of services to help you find a new job and resources to advance your career, including resume review, cover letter review and mock interviews.
If you live outside of Arlington, Virginia Career Works can help you find your local Virginia Employment Center.
All Library Locations and Services Closed July 4-5 in Observance of Independence Day
All Arlington County County Government Offices and Facilities will also be closed on Monday, July 5.
Any holds set to expire on Sunday, July 4 or Monday, July 5 will be held for pickup until Tuesday, July 6.
All Library Locations and Services Closed June 18-19 in Honor of Juneteenth
All Arlington County offices, including all Library locations and services, will be closed Friday, June 18 – Saturday, June 19, in honor of Juneteenth.
Juneteenth commemorates the end of slavery in the United States on June 19, 1865, and is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of that event.
Local Juneteenth events include:
- The 2021 Juneteenth Peace Rally, hosted by the Arlington Black Employees Council on Thursday, June 17. The program includes powerful speaker and performers; watch the video on YouTube and Facebook.
- Ringing the bell in Constitution Garden Park in Bluemont.
- Attending Sounds of Hope and Harmony (paid ticketed event) by the Coalition of African Americans in the Arts, and with ONE DC at the Black Workers and Wellness Center in Anacostia.
Virginia is celebrating the holiday all month long with events, speaker series, tours, and virtual offerings across the commonwealth.
Aurora Hills, Columbia Pike and Central Library to Reopen July 6
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, the newly renovated Columbia Pike and Central Library will reopen for Express Library Service on July 6. Join us for the Columbia Pike Library Grand Reopening Celebration and Ribbon Cutting on Thursday, July 8.
- 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.
Central Library Holds Pickup Closed Tuesday, June 8 for Voting
Central Library will be closed to the public on account of voting on Tuesday, June 8.
Shirlington and Westover Branches will be open for Express Library Service, and our phone, chat and text service will be available.
Library Closed Monday, May 31 for Memorial Day; No Online Chat or Text.
Arlington County Government offices, courts, libraries & facilities will be closed Monday, May 31 for Memorial Day.
New Outdoor Storytime Series at Central and Shirlington Library
In-Person Storytime Series Kicks Off Outside at Central Library on May 18.
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.
