Alexandria Library is excited to announce that our popular American Girl® lending program is back!
Four American Girl® doll kits are available for checkout at the Charles E. Beatley, Jr. Central Library. These dolls were introducted to commemorate two important moments in the Alexandria Library's history: it's founding in 1794, and the the 1939 Sit-In.
To celebrate the 225th anniversary of the Alexandria Library, we invite you to meet Felicity Merriman®, a spunky nine year old girl who grew up in Williamsburg, Virginia, just 150 miles away from Alexandria. Felicity® lived during 1774, twenty years before the Library's 1794 founding. She loved horses, working in her garden and helping out in her father's general store.
Celebrate the Library's 225th anniversary by borrowing Felicity® for a week and document your adventures with Felicity in her journal!
Check out Felicity's® adventures at Alexandria's historic sites on the Library's Instagram and Facebook accounts. Since her arrival Felicity® has shopped at Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary and visited Gadsby's Tavern.
To celebrate the 80th anniversary of the 1939 Alexandria Library Sit-In, we invite you to meet Melody Ellison®, an optimistic nine year old girl who grew up in Detroit, Michigan. Melody ® was born in 1954, fifteen years after the 1939 Alexandria Library Sit-In. We think Melody® would have found this peaceful protest inspiring, as she was passionate about raising her voice for equality during the Civil Rights era. Melody® loves to sing, garden and listen to Motown hits.
Commemorate the 1939 Alexandria Library Sit-in by taking Melody® home for a week and document your adventures with Melody™ in her journal.
Melody’s® adventures were documented on the Library’s Instagram and Facebook accounts. Since her arrival from Detroit on the VRE train, she toured the city of Alexandria, making stops at such locations as Freedman’s Cemetery and Waterfront Park.
Felicity® and Melody® have been selected due to their connection to important timeframes in Alexandria Library's history. As a Colonial Era doll and Virginia native, Felicity® celebrates our 225th anniversary. Melody®, a civil rights activist, commemorates the 80th anniversary of the 1939 Alexandria Library Sit-In.
American Girl® doll kits can be checked out or placed on hold by customers who have valid adult Alexandria Library cards that are free of fees.
The loan period for an American Girl® doll kit is 7 days.
Doll kits and available holds will be kept behind the Charles E. Beatley, Jr. Central Library circulation desk. Customers will be required to provide identification at checkout.
At this time, Felicity® and Melody® are only available for checkout at the Charles E. Beatley, Jr. Central Library.
No. American Girl® doll kits are not eligible for renewal.
Due to the size of our American Girl® program, only one doll kit can be checked out per household.
Please brush and style the doll’s hair with the hairbrush provided in the kit. Do not apply makeup or cut her hair. Do not attempt to clean or launder the doll or her clothing and accessories.
We are so excited to hear about your adventures with Felicity® and Melody®. Tell us all about the fun things you and the doll experienced while she was in your home. Details and pictures are encouraged.
Customers may be billed the full cost of the doll if the original outfit, hair length/style or other point of item integrity is lost or damaged. Accompanying outfits will likewise be charged as a set if a component part is missing or damaged. Damaged or lost carrying cases, books or journals will be billed to the customer at the full replacement cost of the accessory. The library will not accept customer replacements for lost or damaged dolls. Damaged dolls do not become the property of the customer when a replacement fee is paid.
The Alexandria Library’s American Girl® doll program has been made possible by a generous donation from the Kate Waller Barrett Branch Friends and fundraising by a team of neighborhood Girl Scouts.
