Arlington Public Library

news release archive

Center for Local History to Curate 2020 Time Capsule

2020 UnBoxed

Photo of colored cloth face masks with a typographic logo of "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. 

Introducing Book Bundles for Kids

Pre-Bundled Picture Books or Early Readers

By popular request we now offer Book Bundles for Kids in English and Spanish.

Three prescholers reading a picture book

Pick up 10 pre-bundled picture books in English, 10 early reader books in English, or five Spanish-language books (four picture books and one early reader) during holds pickup hours at Central Library.

Book Bundles are designed to give parents and young kids a taste of the Library's collection when browsing is not available.

What Is In a Book Bundle for Kids?

  • Each English-language Book Bundle contains 10 picture books, or 10 early reader books.
  • Each Spanish-language Book Bundle contains four picture books and one early reader book.
  • Book Bundles ARE designed to recreate the joy of discovering something new and wonderful while browsing the Library shelves.
  • Books Bundles ARE NOT designed to match a specific interest or theme.
Book Bundles of Early Readers

How Do Book Bundles Work?

  • Book Bundles are available during Holds Pickup hours at Central Library.
  • Ask for a Book Bundle at the Holds Pickup window.
  • Limit: One Book Bundle (or any kind) per library card.
  • Each book in the Bundle is checked out for 21 days, and can be renewed like a regular book.
  • If you no longer want a book in a Book Bundle, you can return the book at any time.
Assorted example picture books

Picture Books

Assorted example Early Reader books.

Early Reader Books

Book Bundles Are Designed to Supplement, Not Replace, Holds

If your child is interested in a specific topic or book, please place a hold on those books, or contact the librarians by phone, text or chat to get help doing so.

Introducing MyBook, for Kindergarten – Grade 2

Grow Your Home Library

By reading regularly with your child, you give them the biggest boost toward a successful education.

MyBook provides every child who qualifies, in kindergarten through 2nd grade, with five free, carefully selected books to keep. Each month, from September through December, a new, book will be available for pick up. All you have to do is sign up, pick up a new book each month, and read with your child!

Who is Eligible?

Children who meet all three requirements:

  1. Enrolled in a APS elementary school
  2. In kindergarten, first or second grade
  3. Live in a household that participates in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Medicaid, FARM, or Head Start

How to Participate

Parent/Guardian’s responsibility:

  1. Submit a completed registration form, in print or online.
  2. Pick up one book each month. The book is free, and yours to keep.
  3. Read with your child.

Register and learn more on the Library website.

Arlington Public Library Eliminates Overdue Fines

Minimizing Barriers to Using the Library

As of July 1, Arlington Public Library eliminated overdue library fines to make the library’s collections accessible to all Arlingtonians and library patrons. The goal is to increase access to and minimize barriers for marginalized populations to use the library, particularly for youth and low-income patrons.

“Every member of our community has a right to library services and library fines and fees are known barriers to use. We are pleased that we can eliminate these long- standing barriers and continue our mission to reach everyone regardless of their socioeconomic background,” says Diane Kresh, Director of Arlington Public Library.

The elimination of fines will reduce the Library fine budget by an expected $155,000 in anticipated revenue to $10,000 in FY 2021. The $10,000 remains in the budget due to the continuation of replacement fees for lost items.

Borrowing

Patrons will be able to borrow an item for up to twelve weeks if no other patron has placed a hold or up to 3 weeks if another patron has a hold on the item.

Library staffer adding back books to a shelf.

If the item is not returned at the end of the loan period, a grace period of twenty-eight days will come into effect. The patron will not accrue overdue fines during the twenty-eight days. If the item is not returned by the end of the grace period, the item is considered lost and a replacement fee will be charged. If a replacement fee is charged and the item is later returned, the fee is reversed. The replacement fee is dependent on the cost of the book.

Going forward, patrons who either lose or fail to return items to the Library will be assessed a replacement fee that will affect their ability to borrow, renew, place holds on materials, or log in to premium sites, such as Consumer Reports until the fee has been paid or the item has been returned.

Patrons with existing fines will still need to pay those. During the library closure, no fines were accrued for checked-out items.

Paying Fines

  • By phone at 703-228-5260; Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
  • By mail with a check or money order mailed to Central Library, Attention: Circulation, 1015 N. Quincy St, Arlington, VA 22201
    • Please include the library card number with the payment and make the check payable to “Treasurer of Arlington County.”

To find out more about borrowing, loan periods and renewals, visit the accounts information page.

Central Library Now Open for Holds Pickup

Hours and FAQs

Welcome back! Starting Monday, June 15, Holds Pickup will be Available.

Hours

  • Monday through Thursday - 12:00 - 7:00 p.m.
  • Friday through Sunday -12:00 - 5:00 p.m.

Location

Central Library Auditorium
1015 N Quincy St
Arlington VA 22201

Important Dates:

  • Central Library will be closed - Friday, July 3 - Saturday, July 4 for Independence Day, and Tuesday, June 23 and July 7 for voting.
  • Current Holds Start June 15 - All patrons with a hold currently ready for pickup (since before the closure) may pick up their hold. All holds ready for pickup have been moved to Central Library. Holds will be held for 10 days. If you do not wish to collect your hold you do not need to contact the library; all holds will be automatically reshelved after 10 days.
  • New Holds Start June 18, by Noon - Patrons who do not have online access may place holds by calling 703-228-5990.

The following plans and procedures are tentative and will be adjusted as necessary. Please check back often for updates.

Questions? Contact us by Phone or through Online Chat and Text.

FAQs

Q. What Library services will be available starting Monday, June 15? 

  • Holds pickup: In the Central Library Auditorium
  • Basic account services: Sign up for a library card, renew library cards, update temporary library cards and update mailing address

Q. What safety measures will be in place? 

  • All patrons and staff must maintain six foot social distancing requirements.
  • All patrons and staff must wear masks.
  • Hand sanitizer will be available for patrons entering and leaving Central Library.
  • Service points will have sneeze-guard partitions
  • Frequent cleaning and deep cleaning of staff and public spaces
  • Restrooms will not be available to the public

Q. What parking will be available? 

Please park in the surface parking lots at Central Library. The parking garage is currently closed to the public.

question mark made of books

Holds Pickup and Services

Q. What is the process for holds pickup? 

Patrons will line up at six-foot intervals outside library entrance closest to the tennis courts / surface parking lot. Access to the auditorium will be metered. Once inside the auditorium, three service stations will be available. Library staff will retrieve your holds, check them out to you, and pass them to you with no/limited contact. Patrons will exit across the Auditorium, through the doors onto the garden porch and walk down the pathway to the parking lot.
Restrooms will not be available to the public.

Q. What is the process for account services? 

Basic account services such as applying for and renewing library cards can be handled at the auditorium service points. The process is the same as for holds pickup.

Q. Will the library limit the size of families/groups? 

When possible, please send one household member to retrieve holds. Please bring the associated library card for any holds you are picking up. You may also use the library app to manage all the accounts from one household, and to access digital library cards for each account.

Q. I have a condition that prevents me from standing in line. How can I get my holds? 

If you are in need of accessibility accommodation, you can schedule your holds pickup by calling the Library at 703-228-5990.

Q. How long will my holds remain at Central for pickup once I am notified that they are available? 

Until further notice, holds will remain on the shelf for 10 days.

Q.  I currently have a hold on my account that is ready for pickup (on the hold shelf since before the closure). How can I receive it? 

All holds that were ready for pickup prior to the closure have been moved to the Auditorium at Central Library. These holds will be available for pickup on June 15 and will be held for 10 days. If you do not wish to collect your hold you do not need to contact the library; all holds will be automatically reshelved after 10 days.

Q. What about the holds on my account that are not yet ready? 

All holds placed before June 15 have been frozen, and as of June 22 the pickup location has been changed to Central (the only available location). Frozen holds keep their place in line but do not come ready.

To receive your holds at Central, log into your account and click on "thaw" next to each item that you are ready to receive.

You may also cancel any holds you no longer want or need.

Q. I thawed my holds, and now I'm number 1 for a number of items that had long wait times... What happened?

After thawing your holds, your placement in line for each item will fluctuate as other patrons with holds on the same titles thaw or freeze their holds.

Q. I have holds that were previously set for pick up at a location besides Central Library. 

As of June 22, all holds set to pick up at other locations have been set to Central Library. To receive these holds, log into your account and click on "thaw" next to each item that you are ready to receive.

If you do not wish to pick up your holds at Central Library, you may cancel them or keep them frozen (frozen holds keep their place in line) until your preferred location reopens for pickup service. At that time you will need to thaw the hold.

When you place a new hold, only Central Library will be an option for holds pick up until Branch locations reopen for holds pickup.

Q. How long will it take for my holds to come in? 

There will be a delay in filling many holds as all returned Library materials will be quarantined upon return for 72 hours.

Q. How many holds can I have on my account? 

You can have as many as 30 holds at a time in any status (ready, frozen, not ready, etc.).

Returns

Q. How can I return Library materials?

Please do not rush to return materials! Library materials must be quarantined upon return, and the Library does not have space to receive all the returns at once. Due dates for materials checked out before the closure have been staggered throughout the summer to avoid overloading return bins.

Beginning Monday, June 15, you can begin to return Library materials to the exterior book drops at Central Library and all Branch Library locations. All library materials can now be returned in the bookdrop including DVDs, games, dolls, etc.

Returns will not be accepted in the Central Library Auditorium.

Q. What is the disinfectant process for Library materials? 

Library materials will be set aside for 72 hours before being processed. Library staff will practice appropriate safety procedures as laid out by County health officials, and may adjust procedures based on the latest research and guidance.

You may opt to set aside library materials for 72 hours after you receive them.

Fines and Fees

Q. Am I accruing overdue fees on materials I checked out before the closure? 

All due dates on material checked out before June 15 have been extended to July 1, 2020 or later. Due dates have been staggered over the summer to avoid a rush of returns. Please check your account for specific due dates. No daily overdue fees will accrue on these materials.

Q. How can I pay fines and fees I owe?  

Fine payment is not available online or at Central Library at this time. If your card is blocked due to overdue fines, please contact us.

Q. Is the Library going “Fine Free”? 

Daily library overdue fees were eliminated in the FY21 Arlington County Budget. No new daily overdue fees will accrue after July 1, 2020. Lost material fees and other service fees will still apply. Overdue fees charged before July 1, 2020 will remain due on library accounts.

Other Questions

Q. Are you accepting book donations? 

No. The Library cannot accept book donations at this time. We cannot store any donated books - please do not leave them at any library location.

Q. I’d like to volunteer at the Library. 

The Library is unable to accommodate volunteers during this phase of reopening. We will welcome our volunteers back as soon as we can safely do so.

Q. When will the Library fully reopen?

The safety of our staff and patrons is our primary concern. Arlington Public Library does not currently have a timeline for reopening to other services. The Library will work closely with Arlington County leadership and medical authorities to evaluate the ongoing situation. Please stay tuned, we will announce when we are able to safely open additional library services. We thank patrons for their patience as we work to safely reopen our library system.

Did we forget something? Let us know in the comments.

Exhibition Pays Tribute to Women in Arlington

Women's Work: Then & Now

The 29 Arlington women profiled in the exhibit include (from left to right) Caroline Gary Romano, Margarite Syphax, Seema Jain, Dr. Phoebe Hall Knipling, Mary A. R. Marshall, Gertrude Crocker, Marguerete Luter and Cornelia Bruere Rose, Jr.

In March, Arlington Public Library will launch a new exhibition at Central Library, titled “Women’s Work: Then & Now.”

  • March 5 through April 2 at Central Library.
  • Exhibition opening Thursday, March 5, 6:30 p.m., followed by an author talk with featured guest Liza Mundy, author of "Code Girls."
RSVP

The opening reception will be followed by an author talk with Liza Mundy. In "Code Girls: The Untold Story of the American Women Code Breakers of World War II," Mundy uncovers the truth about the army of women code-breakers who worked behind the scenes here in Arlington and in Washington DC, and brings to life the forgotten history of these unsung heroes whose efforts helped save hundreds of lives.

The exhibition commemorates both Arlington County’s 100th anniversary and the 100 years since the passage of the 19th Amendment. Included in this exhibition are stories, photographs, letters and memorabilia, which spotlight individuals and groups of Arlington women who dedicate their work to improve their community and the lives of others.

“These stories show that women are strong, resilient, even fierce when necessary, and that they are more than able to carry out the work before them,” said Diane Kresh, Director of Arlington Public Library. “Arlington would not be the same without them.”

Discover and learn about the work of Anna Barber, Charlene Bickford, Ellen Bozman, Judith Brewer, Elizabeth Campbell, Gertrude Crocker, Pauline Haislip Duncan, Alice Fleet, Alice Foster, Saundra Green, Critchett Hodukavich, Seema Jain, Carolyn (Carrie) Johnson, Cintia Johnson, Dr. Phoebe Hall Knipling, Puwen Lee, Marguerete Luter, Mary A. R. Marshall, Sushmita Mazumdar, Ruby Lee Minar, Constance (Connie) Ramirez, Caroline Gary Romano, Cornelia Bruere Rose, Jr., Virginia Lillis Smith, Florence Starzynski, Margarite Syphax, Nancy Tate, Marjorie Varner, and Dr. Emma Violand-Sanchez.

The nominees, selected by the 16 exhibition partners, were based on their groundbreaking, visionary and ongoing contributions to the communities they serve. Also included in this exhibition, are women who were curated from the Center for Local History’s online exhibition, “Women’s Work: Stories of Persistence and Influence.”

The exhibition partners are AED-Cultural Arts, Arlington County Commission on the Status of Women, Arlington County Department of Human Services, Arlington County Department of Parks and Recreation, Arlington County Fire Department, Arlington County Police Department, Arlington County Sheriff’s Office, Arlington Food Assistance Center, Arlington Historical Society, Arlington Public Schools, CPHD-Historic Preservation, Encore Learning, Friends of the Arlington Public Library, Girl Scouts Association 60, League of Women Voters of Arlington and WomenWork (WoW) Employee Resource Group.

Grab & Go Express Book Collection

Read More, Wait Less

If it's on the shelf, you can check it out!

Grab & Go books on a bookshelf at Central Library
logo_grabandgo_bw

The new Grab & Go express book collection contains bestselling adult fiction and nonfiction, ready to be checked out immediately.

New titles will be added to the Grab & Go collection on a regular basis.

Where to Find Grab & Go Books

Look for the Grab & Go express book collection on designated shelves at Central Library and the Branch Libraries. There is no Grab & Go collection at the Connection: Crystal City Pop-Up Library.

You will also find Grab & Go copies of your favorite eAudiobooks and eBook titles in our Overdrive collection.

Don't see any Grab & Go titles on the Library shelf or in Overdrive? That means they are all checked out at the moment. But check again soon, as someone could finish and return one at anytime!

How does Grab & Go work?

14 Day Loan Period - Borrow Grab & Go titles for up to two weeks.

No Holds, No Renewals - Books cannot be renewed or placed on hold. They do not display in the library catalog.

Late Fines - $.30 a day.

Digital Readers - Electronic titles will return automatically after 2 weeks. If you don't see any Grab & Go titles in Overdrive, that means they are all checked out.

Done Reading? - Return your Grab & Go title for the next reader to discover!

July 20: Grand Opening of The Shop Makerspace

Celebrate our Brand New Makerspace!

Join us all day for equipment demonstrations, speakers, and workshops for all ages.

Schedule:

  • 12:30-1:30 p.m.: Home Movie Preservation
  • 1:00-2:30 p.m.: Egg Drop Challenge
  • 2:00-3:00 p.m.: Bike Tire Jewelry
  • 3:30-4:30 p.m.: Drywall repair
  • 3:00-4:30 p.m.: Make a spinning top

Learn more on the Library calendar

Arlington Public Library’s Health Week

Because Information is the Best Medicine

5 people holding symbols of health topics

The Library will host a series of events, conversations, and presentations to support a healthier Arlington.

Focusing on a different theme each day, we will celebrate the power of prevention, advocate for healthy and fair policies, and share strategies and resources for a strong public health system.

  • Monday, May 27 - Memorial Day (Library closed)
  • Tuesday, May 28 - Brain Health
  • Wednesday, May 29 - Family Health
  • Thursday, May 30 - Mental Health
  • Friday, May 31 -Heart Health
  • Saturday, June 1 - Community & Global Health

Schedule of Events

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