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!
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.
2020 UnBoxed
The Center for Local History (CLH) will curate a time capsule, “2020 UnBoxed,” which will contain objects and material representing the major events and themes of 2020 in Arlington County.
“The time capsule is a snapshot of today as well as a gift for the future, preserving an account of a particular period in time,” said Library Director Diane Kresh.
Themes for the collection will include:
- The 2020 Census
- The COVID-19 pandemic
- Racial justice and civic unrest
- Arlington County’s naming centennial
- The 100th anniversary of women’s suffrage
The CLH, whose mission is to preserve and share the history of Arlington County, its citizens, organizations, businesses and social issues, will reach out to community organizations and leaders over the next 9 months to obtain items that represent the major events of 2020.
The time capsule will also draw from items donated to the COVID-19 Archives project. Residents are encouraged to continue to submit donations that illustrate how Arlington life has been affected and altered by the pandemic.
The time capsule collection will be exhibited online in October during American Archives Month, which celebrates and raises awareness about the value of archives and archivists. The items will then be sealed and deposited in the Arlington Community Archives for preservation and future research.
Media Contacts
Anneliesa Alprin
Communications Manager
aalprin@arlingtonva.us
703-228-6329 (o) / 703-843-8658 (c)
Henrik Sundqvist
Communications Officer
nsundqvist@arlingtonva.us
703-228-0590 (o) / 571-970-8608 (c)
Annual Reports
Awards
2021
Penguin Random House Library Award for Innovation
2017
Urban Libraries Council Top Innovator Award
The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments - Climate and Energy Leadership Award
Virginia Association of Counties Achievement Award
2015
Silver-level Bicycle Friendly Business Award
2012
Sustainable Libraries Award
2011
Outstanding Public Program Award
Outstanding Achievement in Local Government Innovation Award
Arlington Reads brings authors and readers together to talk about the important topics of our time.
News Archive
Center for Local History to Curate 2020 Time Capsule
A snapshot of today, as well as a gift for the future.
Read MoreVideo: New APL Kids YouTube Channel
Storytimes designed to help your child learn reading readiness.
Read MoreArlington Public Library Eliminates Overdue Fines
Minimizing barriers to using the library.
Read MoreExhibition Pays Tribute to Women in Arlington
March 5 through April 2 at Central Library.
Read More