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KATE WALLER BARRETT BRANCH LIBRARY

Effective December 7, 2020 Alexandria Library will return to PHASE TWO of the library's reopening plan.

Barrett is closed to the public, however staff are working remotely and curbside service is available.

You may contact Barrett staff by phone or email during the following hours:

  • Monday and Wednesday: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
  • Friday and Saturday: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Hours & Location
We're closed Monday January 18 due to Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
We're closed Wednesday January 20 due to Inauguration Day
Mon, Jan 11 Closed
Tue, Jan 12 Closed
Wed, Jan 13 Closed
Thu, Jan 14 Closed
Fri, Jan 15 Closed
Sat, Jan 16 Closed
Sun, Jan 17 Closed
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Address
717 Queen Street
Alexandria
Alexandria, VA 22314
Tel: 703.746.1703
Fax: 703.746.1708
About the branch

Parking: No library parking lot.  Street parking is available.  A paid parking lot is available on the 100 block of North Alfred Street. 

Public Transit:

  • Metrorail: Yellow and Blue lines at Braddock Road (1 mile) and King Street Stations (1.1 miles). 
  • Metrobus: 10A, 10B, 10E, 11Y
  • DASH Bus: AT2/AT5/AT8
  • King Street Trolley:  King & Columbus
Upcoming Virtual Events
Take and Make: Arctic Animals
Sat, Jan 16, All day
Curbside - Curbside Pickup
When you see a paper plate or a pinecone, do you picture an animal? Find out how to turn these materials into cute creatures using our instructions and supplies.
Digital Collections Around the World
Sat, Jan 16, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Virtual
Learn about online collections from museums, archives, and libraries around the world.Register
Get Your Alphabits Kit - Letters N-Q
Sat, Jan 16, 11:00am - 4:00pm
Curbside PickUp - Curbside PickUp
Home kits containing book lists, recipes and craft items to accompany Miss Lisa's A-Z story time series.
Death Cafe
Sat, Jan 16, 3:00pm - 4:30pm
Virtual
Death Cafes are an opportunity to demystify the death experience. We offer an open, safe environment for discussing thoughts, feelings about all manner death and dying. Register
LIBRARIES CLOSED - MLK Jr. Holiday
Mon, Jan 18, All day
Alexandria Law Library
All Alexandria Libraries will be closed on Monday, January 18, in observance of MLK, Jr. Holiday.
Canceled
Get Your Alphabits Kit - Letters N-Q
Mon, Jan 18, 11:00am - 4:00pm
Curbside PickUp - Curbside PickUp
Home kits containing book lists, recipes and craft items to accompany Miss Lisa's A-Z story time series.
Take and Make: Arctic Animals
Tue, Jan 19, All day
Curbside - Curbside Pickup
When you see a paper plate or a pinecone, do you picture an animal? Find out how to turn these materials into cute creatures using our instructions and supplies.
Update Your Resume
Tue, Jan 19, 10:00am - 11:00am
Virtual
Learn about the four most popular resume styles. Understand which style is best suited for the job you want. Then learn how to take advantage of library resources to create those resumes.Register
Stories and Songs
Tue, Jan 19, 10:00am - 10:30am
Zoom - Stories and Songs
Join Miss Venetta for songs, rhymes and a new story every week! Perfect for toddlers, big and little siblings!Register
Bilingual Storytime with Ms. Eli
Tue, Jan 19, 10:30am - 11:00am
Virtual
Join Ms. Eli from her home for this virtual Spanish-English storytime. Sing songs and she'll read a book or two. Intended for ages 2 to 4, but all children and families are welcome to join in! Register
Baby Time
Tue, Jan 19, 11:00am - 11:30am
Virtual
Play time with your youngest ones. Fingerplay, stories and plenty of songs! Get moving and grooving with your little ones! Register
Alphabits--Practice Your ABCs with Miss Lisa - An Alphabet Story Time
Tue, Jan 19, 11:00am - 11:45am
Virtual
This winter and spring, practice the letters N-Z with fun learning activities.Register
Girls Who Code: Virtual Meet-up
Tue, Jan 19, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Virtual
Join us on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of each month from 7:00pm-8:15pm.Register
Book Discussion Group - "The Secrets We Kept" by Lara Prescott
Tue, Jan 19, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Virtual
The Duncan Book Group meets on the third Wednesday of each month.Register
Handcraft Tuesday - Evening Edition
Tue, Jan 19, 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!
Canceled
Take and Make: Arctic Animals
Wed, Jan 20, All day
Curbside - Curbside Pickup
When you see a paper plate or a pinecone, do you picture an animal? Find out how to turn these materials into cute creatures using our instructions and supplies.
LIBRARIES CLOSED - Inauguration Day
Wed, Jan 20, All day
Alexandria Law Library
All Alexandria Libraries will be closed on Wednesday, January 20, in observance of the Inauguration.
Canceled
ESL for Conversational Beginners - A Weekly Conversation Class
Wed, Jan 20, 10:30am - 11:45am
Virtual
This conversation class is for all levels, but will cater particularly toward beginners. Intermediate students will be broken off into a separate group to read a current event and discuss.
Canceled
From My Window With Ms. Suzanne - Snowflakes
Wed, Jan 20, 10:30am - 11:00am
Virtual
Join Ms. Suzanne on Zoom to sing songs and listen to a story about things we can see outside. Designed for ages 1 to 3, but anyone can join!
Canceled
Pajama Story Time
Wed, Jan 20, 6:30pm - 7:00pm
Zoom -
Join Miss Kayla and Miss Katie for cozy bedtime stories. Explore a new theme each week!
Take and Make: Arctic Animals
Thu, Jan 21, All day
Curbside - Curbside Pickup
When you see a paper plate or a pinecone, do you picture an animal? Find out how to turn these materials into cute creatures using our instructions and supplies.
Toddler Rock N' Read
Thu, Jan 21, 10:00am - 10:30am
Virtual
Join Miss Katie for singing, dancing, and to hear new story books!Register
1000 Books: Story Time With Miss Lisa
Thu, Jan 21, 10:00am - 10:45am
Virtual
Join Miss Lisa and "Ally Gator" for an interactive story hour for preschoolers and their siblings.Register
Streaming Storytime with Miss Christian
Thu, Jan 21, 11:00am - 11:30am
Virtual
Join Miss Christian each week for stories and songs. Registration is required.Register
Burke Book Club - "A Walk in the Woods " by Bill Bryson
Thu, Jan 21, 3:00pm - 4:30pm
Virtual
Join us for a virtual discussion of Bill Bryson's "A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail."Register
Virtual Carefull Knitting
Thu, Jan 21, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Virtual
Join us online for Barrett's knitting and crochet social group! Register
Junior Science Club
Thu, Jan 21, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Virtual
Have fun with Miss Amy and Miss Amanda as we flex our STEAM skills! Each week, hear a story, then follow along with a science-related activity using a few simple supplies from around the house. Register
Fun with Friends - Games, Trivia, Books, and More!
Thu, Jan 21, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Virtual
Join us virtually as we compete with trivia, play mad libs, tell jokes and listen to stories.Register
Renewable Energy, Nuclear Energy and Climate Change
Thu, Jan 21, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Virtual
Dr. Robert Ehrlich, professor of physics at George Mason University, will examine the options for renewable energy.
Great Books Discussion Group
Thu, Jan 21, 7:00pm - 8:30pm
Virtual
Join us for a virtual meeting the third Thursday of each month! Register
American Girl™ History Club - Featuring Samantha Parkington™
Fri, Jan 22, All day
Virtual
A monthly program with Miss Vanessa that features a story, craft, games, trivia, and a baking project inspired by different American Girl™ characters. Take home craft kits available at Barrett Branch!
Family Storytime
Fri, Jan 22, 10:00am - 10:30am
Virtual
Join Miss Amy and Miss Amanda each Friday morning for stories, songs and rhymes.Register
Preschool Storytime and Craft - Dinosaurs
Fri, Jan 22, 10:30am - 11:00am
Virtual
Join Ms. Suzanne on Fridays for a story, a craft and some silly songs. Ages 3 - 5.Register
Get Your Alphabits Kit - Letters N-Q
Fri, Jan 22, 11:00am - 4:00pm
Curbside PickUp - Curbside PickUp
Home kits containing book lists, recipes and craft items to accompany Miss Lisa's A-Z story time series.
American Girl™ History Club - Featuring Samantha Parkington™
Sat, Jan 23, All day
Virtual
A monthly program with Miss Vanessa that features a story, craft, games, trivia, and a baking project inspired by different American Girl™ characters. Take home craft kits available at Barrett Branch!
Get Your Alphabits Kit - Letters N-Q
Sat, Jan 23, 11:00am - 4:00pm
Curbside PickUp - Curbside PickUp
Home kits containing book lists, recipes and craft items to accompany Miss Lisa's A-Z story time series.
Cooking with Kole! - Nutritious and Delicious!
Sat, Jan 23, 12:00pm - 1:00pm
Virtual
Join an online cooking class straight to your own kitchen!Register
American Girl™ History Club - Featuring Samantha Parkington™
Sun, Jan 24, All day
Virtual
A monthly program with Miss Vanessa that features a story, craft, games, trivia, and a baking project inspired by different American Girl™ characters. Take home craft kits available at Barrett Branch!
American Girl™ History Club - Featuring Samantha Parkington™
Mon, Jan 25, All day
Virtual
A monthly program with Miss Vanessa that features a story, craft, games, trivia, and a baking project inspired by different American Girl™ characters. Take home craft kits available at Barrett Branch!
Tween Art 101 Craft Kit Pick-up - Kente Cloth Inspired Craft
Mon, Jan 25, 11:00am - 4:00pm
Curbside Pick Up - Curbside Pick Up
Kente Cloth is a traditional woven cloth from Ghana. Pick up your Kente Cloth Inspired craft kit in preparation for the February 9 Tween Art 101 program. Register
Get Your Alphabits Kit - Letters N-Q
Mon, Jan 25, 11:00am - 4:00pm
Curbside Pick Up - Curbside Pick Up
Home kits containing book lists, recipes and craft items to accompany Miss Lisa's A-Z story time series.
Let's Talk - An ESL Conversation Class
Mon, Jan 25, 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Virtual
Interested in building your confidence in your use of English? Register
Romance Book Club
Mon, Jan 25, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Virtual
Do you love to read romance novels? Want to talk about them with other romance book lovers? Join us! Register
Let's Talk Books: "Separation Anxiety" - Featuring the Author Laura Zigman
Mon, Jan 25, 7:00pm - 8:30pm
Virtual
Author Laura Zigman also wrote "Animal Husbandry," "Dating Big Bird," "Piece of Work," and "Her." She lives near Boston with her husband, son, and Sheltie.Register
American Girl™ History Club - Featuring Samantha Parkington™
Tue, Jan 26, All day
Virtual
A monthly program with Miss Vanessa that features a story, craft, games, trivia, and a baking project inspired by different American Girl™ characters. Take home craft kits available at Barrett Branch!
Stories and Songs
Tue, Jan 26, 10:00am - 10:30am
Zoom - Stories and Songs
Join Miss Venetta for songs, rhymes and a new story every week! Perfect for toddlers, big and little siblings!Register
Bilingual Storytime with Ms. Eli
Tue, Jan 26, 10:30am - 11:00am
Virtual
Join Ms. Eli from her home for this virtual Spanish-English storytime. Sing songs and she'll read a book or two. Intended for ages 2 to 4, but all children and families are welcome to join in! Register
Tween Art 101 Craft Kit Pick-up - Kente Cloth Inspired Craft
Tue, Jan 26, 11:00am - 4:00pm
Curbside Pick Up - Curbside Pick Up
Kente Cloth is a traditional woven cloth from Ghana. Pick up your Kente Cloth Inspired craft kit in preparation for the February 9 Tween Art 101 program. Register
Baby Time
Tue, Jan 26, 11:00am - 11:30am
Virtual
Play time with your youngest ones. Fingerplay, stories and plenty of songs! Get moving and grooving with your little ones! Register
Alphabits--Practice Your ABCs with Miss Lisa - An Alphabet Story Time
Tue, Jan 26, 11:00am - 11:45am
Virtual
This winter and spring, practice the letters N-Z with fun learning activities.Register
We Are Board(Game) Club: Pictionary
Tue, Jan 26, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Virtual
The “We Are Board(Game) Club” is back! Gather your friends to play virtual pictionary. Have some dice nearby -- what you draw will depend on your roll. Register
Financial Wellness in the New Year - With Commonwealth One Federal Credit Union
Tue, Jan 26, 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Virtual
Get help planning for a money-wise year with a certified financial counselor. Register
American Girl™ History Club - Featuring Samantha Parkington™
Wed, Jan 27, All day
Virtual
A monthly program with Miss Vanessa that features a story, craft, games, trivia, and a baking project inspired by different American Girl™ characters. Take home craft kits available at Barrett Branch!
Get Ready For Tax Season
Wed, Jan 27, 10:00am - 11:00am
Virtual
It's time to file your taxes, do you know where to start?Register
ESL for Conversational Beginners - A Weekly Conversation Class
Wed, Jan 27, 10:30am - 11:45am
Virtual
This conversation class is for all levels, but will cater particularly toward beginners. Intermediate students will be broken off into a separate group to read a current event and discuss.
From My Window with Ms. Suzanne - I Went Walking
Wed, Jan 27, 10:30am - 11:00am
Virtual
Join Ms. Suzanne on Zoom to sing songs and listen to a story about things we can see outside. Designed for ages 1 to 3, but anyone can join!Register
Tween Art 101 Craft Kit Pick-up - Kente Cloth Inspired Craft
Wed, Jan 27, 11:00am - 4:00pm
Curbside Pick Up - Curbside Pick Up
Kente Cloth is a traditional woven cloth from Ghana. Pick up your Kente Cloth Inspired craft kit in preparation for the February 9 Tween Art 101 program. Register
Scribbles Book Club - "Save Me a Seat" by Sarah Weeks
Wed, Jan 27, 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Virtual
Welcome to Scribble Book Club! While we aren't scribbling on the books, but we are meeting on Zoom twice a month to talk about a new story each month! Register
Pre-K Storytime
Wed, Jan 27, 4:00pm - 4:30pm
Virtual
Join Miss Amy for stories, songs, rhymes, and other fun activities! This program is geared toward ages 3-5, but children of all ages are welcome to participate.Register
Pajama Story Time
Wed, Jan 27, 6:30pm - 7:00pm
Zoom -
Join Miss Kayla and Miss Katie for cozy bedtime stories. Explore a new theme each week! Register
American Girl™ History Club - Featuring Samantha Parkington™
Thu, Jan 28, All day
Virtual
A monthly program with Miss Vanessa that features a story, craft, games, trivia, and a baking project inspired by different American Girl™ characters. Take home craft kits available at Barrett Branch!
Toddler Rock N' Read
Thu, Jan 28, 10:00am - 10:30am
Virtual
Join Miss Katie for singing, dancing, and to hear new story books!Register
1000 Books: Story Time With Miss Lisa
Thu, Jan 28, 10:00am - 10:45am
Virtual
Join Miss Lisa and "Ally Gator" for an interactive story hour for preschoolers and their siblings.Register
Tween Art 101 Craft Kit Pick-up - Kente Cloth Inspired Craft
Thu, Jan 28, 11:00am - 4:00pm
Curbside Pick Up - Curbside Pick Up
Kente Cloth is a traditional woven cloth from Ghana. Pick up your Kente Cloth Inspired craft kit in preparation for the February 9 Tween Art 101 program. Register
Virtual Carefull Knitting
Thu, Jan 28, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Virtual - Virtual
Join us online for Barrett's knitting and crochet social group! Register
Junior Science Club
Thu, Jan 28, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Virtual
Have fun with Miss Amy and Miss Amanda as we flex our STEAM skills! Each week, hear a story, then follow along with a science-related activity using a few simple supplies from around the house. Register
American Girl™ History Club - Featuring Samantha Parkington™
Fri, Jan 29, All day
Virtual
A monthly program with Miss Vanessa that features a story, craft, games, trivia, and a baking project inspired by different American Girl™ characters. Take home craft kits available at Barrett Branch!
Family Storytime
Fri, Jan 29, 10:00am - 10:30am
Virtual
Join Miss Amy and Miss Amanda each Friday morning for stories, songs and rhymes.Register
Preschool Storytime and Craft - "The Mitten" by Jan Brett
Fri, Jan 29, 10:30am - 11:00am
Virtual
Join Ms. Suzanne on Fridays for a story, a craft and some silly songs. Ages 3 - 5.Register
Tween Art 101 Craft Kit Pick-up - Kente Cloth Inspired Craft
Fri, Jan 29, 11:00am - 4:00pm
Curbside Pick Up - Curbside Pick Up
Kente Cloth is a traditional woven cloth from Ghana. Pick up your Kente Cloth Inspired craft kit in preparation for the February 9 Tween Art 101 program. Register
Cultivating Peace, Hope, and Resilience in the New Year
Fri, Jan 29, 3:00pm - 4:15pm
Virtual
Start the New Year right with a resolution to reduce stress by joining us for a guided program through meditation and yoga. Register
Tween Art 101 Craft Kit Pick-up - Kente Cloth Inspired Craft
Sat, Jan 30, 11:00am - 4:00pm
Curbside Pick Up - Curbside Pick Up
Kente Cloth is a traditional woven cloth from Ghana. Pick up your Kente Cloth Inspired craft kit in preparation for the February 9 Tween Art 101 program. Register
See all events