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Staff Picks for October
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Alexandria Library
Alexandria Library
Alexandria Library
Alexandria Library
Alexandria Library
Alexandria Library
Alexandria Library
Alexandria Library
Alexandria Library
Alexandria Library
Alexandria Library
Alexandria Library
EVENTS
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Fri, Oct 17, All day
Local History/Special Collections
Learn about 400 years of Black history in Virginia.

Fri, Oct 17, All day
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
The Order of the Zine (T.O.O.T.Z.) has come to Alexandria. Each week, pick up your not-so-secret assignments (zine-making kits) and check out your peer's zines in our Zine Library. Ages 7-14.

Fri, Oct 17, 10:00am - 4:30pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
Shop thousands of books, DVDs, and more at the Beatley Friends Book Sale!

Fri, Oct 17, 10:15am - 11:15am
Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library - Meeting Room
We sing, play, dance, and rhyme all while promoting your baby’s development and literacy skills. For ages 0-14 months.

Fri, Oct 17, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library - Meeting Room
Come and play with music in this fun parent-child learn & play class! Program focuses on activities that enhance brain development and build social skills, language/motor skills, and more (ages 0-5).

Fri, Oct 17, 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library - Meeting Room
Have fun on Fridays after school building, making, playing word bingo, and winning prizes! Grades K-5.

Sat, Oct 18, All day
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
The Order of the Zine (T.O.O.T.Z.) has come to Alexandria. Each week, pick up your not-so-secret assignments (zine-making kits) and check out your peer's zines in our Zine Library. Ages 7-14.

Sat, Oct 18, All day
Local History/Special Collections
Learn about 400 years of Black history in Virginia.

Sat, Oct 18, 10:00am - 4:45pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
Use the library's board and card games while hanging out in the youth services area!

Sat, Oct 18, 10:00am - 4:30pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
Shop thousands of books, DVDs, and more at the Beatley Friends Book Sale!

Sat, Oct 18, 10:30am - 11:30am
James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library - Beth Patridge Meeting Room
All levels are welcome to stretch, breathe and cultivate connections with body-heart-mind-spirit
This event is full

Sat, Oct 18, 11:00am - 5:00pm
Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library - Meeting Room
Want to be a skilled babysitter, ready for anything? Join HeartsCPR, American Red Cross partner, for a free, all-day babysitter training for ages 13-17. Slots are limited; reserve yours now!
Registration is now closed

Sat, Oct 18, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library - Second Floor
Let's paint rocks! Make them creepy for Halloween or cutesy for the Fall season! (Or paint them however you want!)

Cancelled
Sat, Oct 18, 11:30am - 12:30pm
Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library
Come make some fun themed slime at the Burke Branch! October’s theme is “Potions,” and November's theme is “Cozy.” All children must come with a guardian. Registration required.

Sat, Oct 18, 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library
Come play Dungeons & Dragons. No experience necessary. Open to ages 8-13.

Sat, Oct 18, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library - Beth Patridge Meeting Room
Join oddball cinema for a showing of The Phantom of the Paradise 1974 film

Sun, Oct 19, All day
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
The Order of the Zine (T.O.O.T.Z.) has come to Alexandria. Each week, pick up your not-so-secret assignments (zine-making kits) and check out your peer's zines in our Zine Library. Ages 7-14.

Sun, Oct 19, All day
Local History/Special Collections
Learn about 400 years of Black history in Virginia.

Sun, Oct 19, 1:00pm - 4:30pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
Shop thousands of books, DVDs, and more half-price today!

Sun, Oct 19, 1:00pm - 4:30pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library - Small Conference Room
This is a twice-monthly forum for writers to work on drafts, network, and share moral support. Meets first and third Sundays. All are welcome!

Sun, Oct 19, 1:30pm - 4:30pm
Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library - Meeting Room
Let's celebrate the joy of playing games! Play a wide variety of games, the classics and the new. Bring a friend or make new ones.

Sun, Oct 19, 2:30pm - 3:30pm
James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library
Bring your preschooler to the Duncan Library on Sunday afternoons to explore STEAM activities (science, technology, engineering, art, and math)! This is a drop-in event. Recommended ages 3-6

Mon, Oct 20, All day
Local History/Special Collections
Learn about 400 years of Black history in Virginia.

Mon, Oct 20, All day
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
The Order of the Zine (T.O.O.T.Z.) has come to Alexandria. Each week, pick up your not-so-secret assignments (zine-making kits) and check out your peer's zines in our Zine Library. Ages 7-14.

Mon, Oct 20, 10:00am - 3:00pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
Shop thousands of books, DVDs, and more and fill a whole bag for just $10!

Mon, Oct 20, 10:30am - 12:15pm
Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library - Meeting Room
Join us to socialize and engage your mind with a game of bingo served with food, prizes, and fun. Registration is required.

Mon, Oct 20, 11:00am - 11:30am
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library - Frank and Betty Wright Reading Garden
Children love to be outdoors! Join us in Beatley Central Library's beautiful outdoor Reading Garden for stories, songs and movement. Ages 0-5 with an adult.

Mon, Oct 20, 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library - Meeting Room
English practice for English language learners. No registration is needed. Class is held in the Burke Branch Meeting Room

Mon, Oct 20, 4:00pm - 5:30pm
Local History/Special Collections - Sprouse Rare Book Room
Alexandria Library Board meeting

Mon, Oct 20, 5:00pm - 6:00pm
James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library - Beth Patridge Meeting Room
Spitfire girls book club!

Mon, Oct 20, 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library - Small Conference Room
This volunteer-led workshop provides a space for intermediate speakers to practice English and build confidence. No registration required. No certificates of completion are issued.

Mon, Oct 20, 5:30pm - 7:30pm
James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library
We roll at dusk!

Mon, Oct 20, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library - Story Room
Learn about Seoul, South Korea in this four-week program full of stories, crafts, games, and more. Then, join a special live Zoom event and meet kids from Seoul! Grades 3-5, registration preferred

Mon, Oct 20, 6:30pm - 7:30pm
James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library - Beth Patridge Meeting Room
Our mission is to provide a safe, supportive, non-judgmental environment where people can explore, learn, play, and evolve together - one breath at a time
This event is full

Mon, Oct 20, 7:00pm - 8:30pm
Virtual - Zoom
Join us for a discussion online on the following books: "Grass" by Keum Suk Gendry-Kim or "Tastes like War" by Grace Cho.

Mon, Oct 20, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Virtual - Virtual
Please join Let's Talk Books to read and discuss "Dead Wake: The Last Crossing of the Lusitania" by Erik Larson. Register

Tue, Oct 21, All day
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
The Order of the Zine (T.O.O.T.Z.) has come to Alexandria. Each week, pick up your not-so-secret assignments (zine-making kits) and check out your peer's zines in our Zine Library. Ages 7-14.

Tue, Oct 21, All day
Local History/Special Collections
Learn about 400 years of Black history in Virginia.

Tue, Oct 21, 10:15am - 11:15am
Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library - Meeting Room
Join us for a fun-filled hour of stories, music, and movement for ages 0-5!

Tue, Oct 21, 10:30am - 10:45am
Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library - Youth Services Area
This Hispanic Heritage Month, start your morning with stories, rhymes and songs in English and Spanish!

Tue, Oct 21, 11:00am - 11:40am
Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library - Youth Services Area
Just right for ages 0-23 months. Songs, games, movement activities, and bubbles.

Tue, Oct 21, 11:00am - 11:45am
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library - Frank and Betty Wright Reading Garden
Meet your old friends and make new friends at an unstructured, outdoor playtime in the library's Reading Garden! Toys will be supplied. Ages 0-5 with an adult.

Tue, Oct 21, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library - Meeting Room
Join us for a special uninterrupted playtime with your child and meet other caregivers. Discover how play and learning go hand-in-hand; toys and resources will be divided up by age (ages 0-3).

Tue, Oct 21, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library - Beth Patridge Meeting Room
Draw, paint, craft, and create! ¡Dibuje, pinte, haga artesanía, y cree!

Tue, Oct 21, 4:30pm - 5:30pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library - Story Room
Build with Lego, make art, play games, and more! Ages 5-12. Kids under 8 must be accompanied by an adult.

Tue, Oct 21, 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library - Meeting Room
Calling all brick enthusiasts: come join us to make cool creations and participate in themed challenges. Grades 2-5.

Tue, Oct 21, 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library
Join Alexandria Library and Tenants and Workers United to hear from author Amelia Tseng on her recent book "Empanadas, Pupusas and Greens on the Side: Language and Latinidad in the Nation's Capital."

Tue, Oct 21, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Virtual
Attention all handcrafters! Join us to share what you are working on, see what others are creating, and just chat while we craft together!Register

Wed, Oct 22, All day
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
The Order of the Zine (T.O.O.T.Z.) has come to Alexandria. Each week, pick up your not-so-secret assignments (zine-making kits) and check out your peer's zines in our Zine Library. Ages 7-14.

Wed, Oct 22, All day
Local History/Special Collections
Learn about 400 years of Black history in Virginia.

Wed, Oct 22, 10:15am - 10:45am
James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library - Children's Area
New story time, same story tellers. Come join Ms. Venetta and Mr. Josstin for engaging stories that are worth gathering for. Great for toddlers and siblings. Ages 0-5.

Wed, Oct 22, 10:30am - 12:30pm
Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library - Meeting Room
Enjoy weekly sessions with other fiber artists. Bring and share your projects, and see others. Quilting tutorials will be provided on the first Wednesday of every month. No registration is required.

Wed, Oct 22, 10:30am - 11:05am
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
Join us for stories, songs, and activities for your active, growing little ones! Ages 1-2

Wed, Oct 22, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library - Youth Services Area
Just for babies ages 0-12 months. Sólo para bebés de 0 a 12 meses.

Wed, Oct 22, 11:15am - 11:45am
James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library - Children's Area
New story time, same story tellers. Come join Ms. Venetta and Mr. Josstin for engaging stories that are worth gathering for. Great for toddlers and siblings. Ages 0-5.

Wed, Oct 22, 11:30am - 12:05pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
Join us for stories, songs, and activities for your active, growing little ones! Ages 1-2

Wed, Oct 22, 12:30pm - 2:30pm
Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library - Meeting Room
Join Virginia Cooperative Extension Master Financial Education volunteers to learn about types of debt, how to pay off debt, and tips for working with creditors.

Wed, Oct 22, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
Stop by the Beatley Central Library Teen Section to get book suggestions, resource help, or just chat!

Wed, Oct 22, 5:00pm - 6:00pm
James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library - Beth Patridge Meeting Room
Changing the world, one book at a time!

Wed, Oct 22, 5:00pm - 7:00pm
James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library
Another installment of Duncan and Dragons with DM Jacob! Ages 10 - 18

Wed, Oct 22, 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library - Small Conference Room
This volunteer-led workshop provides a space for intermediate speakers to practice English and build confidence. No registration required. No certificates of completion are issued.

Wed, Oct 22, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
Learn to knit under the guidance of experienced knitters. All supplies will be provided. Ages 8-18.

Wed, Oct 22, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Virtual - Virtual
Join us for an engaging webinar on the history of photography as we celebrate this year’s Virginia Archives Month theme, “Oh Snap: Photography in the Archives.” Register

Rescheduled
Wed, Oct 22, 6:30pm - 7:45pm
New date Thursday, October 30, 6:30pm - 7:45pm
Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library
Join this 3-part series with certified educator Byul Yim to learn Korean in a fun, small-group setting.

Wed, Oct 22, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Virtual - Virtual
Join us online and be one of the first to hear from Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Malala Yousafzai about her astonishing memoir, Finding My Way. Register

Thu, Oct 23, All day
Local History/Special Collections
Learn about 400 years of Black history in Virginia.

Thu, Oct 23, All day
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
The Order of the Zine (T.O.O.T.Z.) has come to Alexandria. Each week, pick up your not-so-secret assignments (zine-making kits) and check out your peer's zines in our Zine Library. Ages 7-14.

Cancelled
Thu, Oct 23, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
Beginning English practice for English language learners. No registration needed or prior level of English. These workshops are led by volunteers and do not include certificates of completion.

Thu, Oct 23, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library
Get help with applications. Appointments are available at 10 and 11 AM. Please call 703-746-1721 to schedule an appointment.

Thu, Oct 23, 11:00am - 11:45am
Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library - Youth Services Area
Stories, songs, movement and more for ages 2-5

Thu, Oct 23, 1:15pm - 2:00pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
Baby storytime, plus opportunities to build relationships with other caretakers of young children! For ages 0-14 months, accompanied by an adult. 15 months and older, please attend 1s and 2s.

Thu, Oct 23, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library - Second Floor
The Barrett Branch Mahjong group meets the second and fourth Thursdays of the month. Space is available for up to 12 players, so it's first come first served as game tables fill.

Thu, Oct 23, 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library - Meeting Room
Read the book, then watch this supernatural thriller film based on Agatha Christie's 1969 novel "Hallowe'en Party."

Thu, Oct 23, 3:00pm - 5:00pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library - Small Conference Room
Attention all handcrafters! Join us to share what you are working on, see what others are creating, and just chat while we craft together!

Thu, Oct 23, 4:00pm - 4:30pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library - Large Meeting Room
Join Miss Amy for stories, songs, movement, and activities just right for preschool children. Ages 3-5 with adult.

Thu, Oct 23, 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library - Frank and Betty Wright Reading Garden,Large Meeting Room
Join Jorge Banales as he gives instruction on the Yang Style 24 Movement Tai Chi form on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of the month. Free and open to the public.

Thu, Oct 23, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library - Story Room
Drop in and play with our coding board games, card games, toys, and robots -- and check out some of our coding books for kids! Ages 6-12.

Thu, Oct 23, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library - Beth Patridge Meeting Room
All crafters are welcome! Ages 13+

Thu, Oct 23, 6:30pm - 7:45pm
Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library - Second Floor
Join this 3-part series with certified educator Byul Yim to learn Korean in a fun, small-group setting.
Registration is now closed

Fri, Oct 24, All day
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
The Order of the Zine (T.O.O.T.Z.) has come to Alexandria. Each week, pick up your not-so-secret assignments (zine-making kits) and check out your peer's zines in our Zine Library. Ages 7-14.

Fri, Oct 24, All day
Local History/Special Collections
Learn about 400 years of Black history in Virginia.

Fri, Oct 24, 10:15am - 11:15am
Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library - Meeting Room
We sing, play, dance, and rhyme all while promoting your baby’s development and literacy skills. For ages 0-14 months.

Fri, Oct 24, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library - Meeting Room
Come and play with music in this fun parent-child learn & play class! Program focuses on activities that enhance brain development and build social skills, language/motor skills, and more (ages 0-5).

Fri, Oct 24, 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library - Meeting Room
Have fun on Fridays after school building, making, playing word bingo, and winning prizes! Grades K-5.

 

COMMUNITY RESOURCES

 

All City government facilities are now open to the public, or open by appointment only. Check individual department or program pages for details about specific services. Customers may also call 311 or 703.746.4311 to request in-person information or service.

Tax Assistance - Federal tax forms will be available for customers to pick up at most Library branches beginning in late January.  The Library does not offer tax preparation assistance. However, the City's Department of Community & Human Services offers free tax return preparation to eligible residents beginning in February.

Alexandria's Workforce Development Center provide services and resources for job seekers including access to the Career Center, career readiness workshops, career assessments and customized hiring events.

Those feeling depressed or anxious can call SAMHSA’s (Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services) Disaster Distress 1-800-985-5990 or Text Talk with Us 66746

For those who feel unsafe at home call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or Text Loveis at 22522

Alexandria Health Department
The Alexandria Health Department is closely monitoring an outbreak of respiratory illness caused by coronavirus "COVID-19." Learn about the City's response and find information and resources related to COVID-19. For updates text ALEXCOVID19 to 888777

Virginia Department of Health
The Virginia Department of Health is monitoring an outbreak of respiratory illness, called coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The information line is 877-ASK-VDH3

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are our nation’s premier authority on public health information.