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WINTER READING PROGRAM 2021

The Washington Wizards, in partnership with the Alexandria Library, are hosting a Winter Reading Challenge dedicated to early readers, kids, and teens. The challenge is designed to build positive reading culture and improve literacy for the youth. Readers can earn prizes by completing activity challenges based on four main badges: Reading, Fitness Fun, Virtual Programs, and Connect & Share.

The reading challenge will run virtually on Beanstack, a reading application that makes it easy for participates to register, track their reading and earn virtual badges for completion. Readers who complete the challenge will be entered into a raffle to win a variety of prizes such as a Wizards jersey, a Jr. Wizards Camp voucher, a Wizards bobblehead and so much more!

The Wizards Winter Reading Challenge will run from January 1 – March 31, 2021 and registration opens Monday, December 21, 2020. The challenge is free and open to all youth in the DMV area.  Prizes will be distributed in April.

Sign up online staring December 21, 2020 through Beanstack .

 

Virtual Events
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Sun, Oct 26, 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 26, 3:30pm - 4:00pm
James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library - Beth Patridge Meeting Room
Wiggle, crawl and clap at Baby Time! Fingerplay and songs for Ages 0-24 Months.

Mon, Oct 27, 10:15am - 10:45am
James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library - Beth Patridge Meeting Room
Wiggle, crawl and clap at Baby Time! Fingerplay and songs for Ages 0-14 Months.

Cancelled
Mon, Oct 27, 11:00am - 11:30am
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
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 27, 11:15am - 11:45am
James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library - Beth Patridge Meeting Room
Wiggle, crawl and clap at Baby Time! Fingerplay and songs for Ages 0-14 Months.

Mon, Oct 27, 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

Tue, Oct 28, 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 28, 11:00am - 11:40am
Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library - Youth Services Area
Costumes encouraged, but not required! Seasonal songs and games for little pumpkins ages 0-23 months. .

Tue, Oct 28, 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 28, 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 28, 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.

Wed, Oct 29, 10:15am - 10:45am
James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library - Beth Patridge Meeting Room,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 29, 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 29, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library - Youth Services Area
Trick or Treat! Fun activities just for infants ages 0-12 months.

Wed, Oct 29, 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 29, 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

Cancelled
Wed, Oct 29, 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 29, 5:00pm - 7:00pm
James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library
Another installment of Duncan and Dragons with DM Jacob! Ages 10 - 18

Wed, Oct 29, 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.

Thu, Oct 30, 11:00am - 11:40am
Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library
Get in the holiday spirit with Halloween stories, songs, movement and more. For ages 2+

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

Thu, Oct 30, 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.

Fri, Oct 31, 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, Nov 01, 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!

Rescheduled
Sat, Nov 01, 10:30am - 11:30am
New date Saturday, November 08, 10:30am - 11:30am
Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library
Ages 12-18. Make a difference in your library and community by sharing your opinions, volunteering, and more!

Sat, Nov 01, 11:30am - 12:30pm
Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library - Meeting Room
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.
This event is full

Sun, Nov 02, 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, Nov 03, 10:15am - 10:45am
James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library - Beth Patridge Meeting Room
Wiggle, crawl and clap at Baby Time! Fingerplay and songs for Ages 0-14 Months.

Mon, Nov 03, 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, Nov 03, 11:15am - 11:45am
James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library - Beth Patridge Meeting Room
Wiggle, crawl and clap at Baby Time! Fingerplay and songs for Ages 0-14 Months.

Mon, Nov 03, 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

Tue, Nov 04, 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, Nov 04, 10:30am - 10:45am
Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library - Youth Services Area
Start your morning with stories, rhymes and songs in English and Spanish ¡Empieza su mañana con cuentos, rimas y canciones en inglés y español!

Tue, Nov 04, 11:00am - 11:35am
Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library
Just right for ages 0-23 months. Songs, games, movement activities, and bubbles.

Tue, Nov 04, 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, Nov 04, 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, Nov 04, 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!

Tue, Nov 04, 4:00pm - 4:30pm
James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library - Beth Patridge Meeting Room
A storytime in English and Spanish. un cuentacuentos en inglés y español.

Tue, Nov 04, 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.

Wed, Nov 05, 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, Nov 05, 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, Nov 05, 11:00am - 11:30am
Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library - Youth Services Area
A lapsit and playtime just for babies ages 0-12 months.and their grownups.

Wed, Nov 05, 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, Nov 05, 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, Nov 05, 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library - Story Room
Do you want to practice reading aloud? Do you like dogs? Sign up for a 15-minute reading slot to read to a dog by calling (703) 746-1753 or by stopping by Beatley's Children's Desk. Ages 6-12.

Wed, Nov 05, 5:00pm - 7:00pm
James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library
Another installment of Duncan and Dragons with DM Jacob! Ages 10 - 18

Wed, Nov 05, 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, Nov 05, 6:30pm - 7:15pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library - Large Meeting Room
Ages 12-18. Learn more about volunteering with Alexandria Library.

Thu, Nov 06, 11:00am - 11:35am
Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library - Youth Services Area
Stories, songs, movement and more for ages 2-5

Thu, Nov 06, 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, Nov 06, 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, Nov 06, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library - Second Floor
Looking to join a Dungeons and Dragons group? Look no further!

Thu, Nov 06, 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.

Fri, Nov 07, 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, Nov 07, 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, Nov 07, 3:30pm - 4:30pm
James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library - Beth Patridge Meeting Room
Bring your best building brains!

Fri, Nov 07, 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, Nov 08, 10:30am - 11:30am
Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library - Youth Services Area
Ages 12-18. Make a difference in your library and community by sharing your opinions, volunteering, and more!

Sat, Nov 08, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
Play with the Library’s selection of tabletop games. (Ages 5-18) Echa un vistazo a la selección de juegos de mesa de la Biblioteca. (De 5 a 18 años) Área infantil de Beatley Library

Sun, Nov 09, 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, Nov 09, 3:30pm - 4:00pm
James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library - Beth Patridge Meeting Room
Wiggle, crawl and clap at Baby Time! Fingerplay and songs for Ages 0-24 Months.

Mon, Nov 10, 10:15am - 10:45am
James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library - Beth Patridge Meeting Room
Wiggle, crawl and clap at Baby Time! Fingerplay and songs for Ages 0-14 Months.

Mon, Nov 10, 11:00am - 11:30am
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library - Frank and Betty Wright Reading Garden
Experience the Nutcracker, adapted for young audiences, by the Metropolitan Youth Ballet. Storytelling, mime, dance, and photos with Clara and cast will be included. Ages 0-5.

Mon, Nov 10, 11:15am - 11:45am
James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library - Beth Patridge Meeting Room
Wiggle, crawl and clap at Baby Time! Fingerplay and songs for Ages 0-14 Months.

Mon, Nov 10, 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

Last updated: December 2020