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Image for event: Reading Garden Party

Reading Garden Party
2025-06-07 13:00:00 2025-06-07 14:30:00 America/New_York Reading Garden Party Celebrate our revitalized Reading Garden space with sweet treats and learn about the native plants used from landscapers Hivemind Habitats. Stay after for a chamber music performance from SONOVA! Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library - Frank and Betty Wright Reading Garden

Saturday, June 07
1:00pm - 2:30pm

Add to Calendar 2025-06-07 13:00:00 2025-06-07 14:30:00 America/New_York Reading Garden Party Celebrate our revitalized Reading Garden space with sweet treats and learn about the native plants used from landscapers Hivemind Habitats. Stay after for a chamber music performance from SONOVA! Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library - Frank and Betty Wright Reading Garden

Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library

Frank and Betty Wright Reading Garden

Celebrate our revitalized Reading Garden space with sweet treats and learn about the native plants used from landscapers Hivemind Habitats. Stay after for a chamber music performance from SONOVA!

Working with local woman-owned landscape firm Hivemind Habitats, we have fully replanted our Reading Garden space to be more sustainable using native plants, including pollinators, medicinal, and culinary plants! Come learn about the plants chosen for this project, meet the gardeners, and enjoy refreshments out in the garden to celebrate this beautiful space.

Stay after this event to enjoy a live chamber music performance from the Symphony of Northern Virginia at 2:30 PM!

Funding for the Reading Garden was generously provided by the Friends of the Beatley Central Library.

AGE GROUP: | Teens | Seniors | Children | All Ages | Adults |

EVENT TYPE: | Sustainability | Summer Quest | Special Event | Gardening |

TAGS: | native plants | gardening |

Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
Phone: 703.746.1702
Fax: 703.746.1763
Hours
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Mon, Jun 22 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Tue, Jun 23 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Wed, Jun 24 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Thu, Jun 25 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Fri, Jun 26 10:00AM to 5:00PM
Sat, Jun 27 10:00AM to 5:00PM
Sun, Jun 28 1:00PM to 5:00PM
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About the branch

Parking:

There's a library parking lot available.

Public Transit:

Bus stops on Duke Street and N Pickett St.

Upcoming Events

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Paleontology Playtime
Wed, Jun 24, 10:30am - 11:15am
Frank and Betty Wright Reading Garden
Dress for mess, bring your curiosity, and join us for a variety of dinosaur-themed sensory play! (ages 0-6)
Peter Wood: Collector of the Impossible - Peter Wood: Coleccionista de lo imposible
Wed, Jun 24, 1:00pm - 1:45pm
901 Wythe Street
Peter Wood, the Collector of the Impossible, presents incredible magical objects with unparalleled showmanship. (Ages 6-12)
Summer Soccer with ASA - Fútbol de verano con ASA
Wed, Jun 24, 5:00pm - 6:00pm
4800 Brenman Park Drive
Join Alexandria Soccer coaches for an action-packed, fun-filled soccer practice! (Ages 6-12)
JUNE English Language Learning (ELL) 2 Workshop - Intermediate Conversation
Wed, Jun 24, 5:30pm - 6:30pm
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.
Storytime in the Reading Garden - Cuentos en el jardín de lectura
Thu, Jun 25, 10:30am - 11:00am
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 0-8 with an adult.
Baby Bounce - for babies 0-14 months and their caretaker(s)
Thu, Jun 25, 1:15pm - 2:00pm
Large Meeting Room
Baby storytime, plus opportunities to build relationships with other caretakers of young children! For ages 0-14 months, accompanied by an adult.
Let Your Pride Fly
Thu, Jun 25, 3:00pm - 4:30pm
Large Meeting Room
Use upcycled materials to create a Pride flag magnet.
Tai Chi at Beatley Library - Balance Your Mind and Body
Thu, Jun 25, 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Frank and Betty Wright Reading Garden,Large Meeting Room
Join Jorge Banales as he gives free 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.
Munit and Z Lovebugs
Fri, Jun 26, 10:30am - 11:30am
Frank and Betty Wright Reading Garden,Large Meeting Room
Munit and Z Lovebugs are an Ethio-Haitian family band performing music they wrote and music they love from around the world. (All ages)
Nature Friends Show and Tell
Fri, Jun 26, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
4653 Taney Ave.
Learn about the Jerome "Buddie" Ford Nature Center and meet some animals that live there, including reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates. (Ages 6-12)
Borrow a Board Game
Sat, Jun 27, 10:00am - 4:45pm
Use the library's board and card games while hanging out in the youth services area!
Parlons Français - Adult Conversation Practice
Sat, Jun 27, 10:30am - 11:30am
Small Conference Room
French language practice for adults ready to move from formal instruction to real life conversation.
Alexandria Pride 2026 - Drag Story Hour
Sat, Jun 27, 2:00pm - 6:00pm
300 John Carlyle St, Alexandria, VA 22314
All ages. Enjoy exhibits, music, games, and more!
Storytime in the Reading Garden - Cuentos en el jardín de lectura
Mon, Jun 29, 10:30am - 11:00am
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.
JUNE English Language Learning (ELL) 2 Workshop - Intermediate Conversation
Mon, Jun 29, 5:30pm - 6:30pm
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.
Playtime! - ¡Hora de jugar!
Tue, Jun 30, 10:30am - 11:15am
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.
Bookworms Compost
Tue, Jun 30, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Story Room
Get the dirt on vermicomposting with hands-on scientific exploration! Using our very own worm composting bin, we’ll dig into the natural processes that re-cycle our Earth’s resources. (ages 6-10)
PINGO! - Plastic Free Bingo
Wed, Jul 01, All day
Come to the Children's Desk to pick up a PINGO Card for Plastic Free July!
Paleontology Playtime
Wed, Jul 01, 10:30am - 11:15am
Frank and Betty Wright Reading Garden
Dress for mess, bring your curiosity, and join us for a variety of dinosaur-themed sensory play! (ages 0-6)
Learn to Sing the Music You Love - Pop, K-pop and More!
Wed, Jul 01, 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Large Meeting Room
Join voice instructor Tessa Marr for a fun, hands-on vocal workshop! (Grades 4-8)
PINGO! - Plastic Free Bingo
Thu, Jul 02, All day
Come to the Children's Desk to pick up a PINGO Card for Plastic Free July!
Baby Bounce - for babies 0-14 months and their caretaker(s)
Thu, Jul 02, 1:15pm - 2:00pm
Large Meeting Room
Baby storytime, plus opportunities to build relationships with other caretakers of young children! For ages 0-14 months, accompanied by an adult.
Handcraft Crafternoon
Thu, Jul 02, 3:00pm - 5:00pm
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!
PINGO! - Plastic Free Bingo
Sun, Jul 05, All day
Come to the Children's Desk to pick up a PINGO Card for Plastic Free July!
Writers Group at Beatley
Sun, Jul 05, 1:00pm - 4:30pm
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!
PINGO! - Plastic Free Bingo
Mon, Jul 06, All day
Come to the Children's Desk to pick up a PINGO Card for Plastic Free July!
Storytime in the Reading Garden - Cuentos en el jardín de lectura
Mon, Jul 06, 10:30am - 11:00am
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.
Expressive Painting Workshop
Mon, Jul 06, 5:30pm - 7:00pm
Large Meeting Room
Ages 12-18. Explore the space where art and emotions mix while using pour painting techniques.
PINGO! - Plastic Free Bingo
Tue, Jul 07, All day
Come to the Children's Desk to pick up a PINGO Card for Plastic Free July!
Playtime! - ¡Hora de jugar!
Tue, Jul 07, 10:30am - 11:15am
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.
Bookworms Compost
Tue, Jul 07, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Story Room
Get the dirt on vermicomposting with hands-on scientific exploration! Using our very own worm composting bin, we’ll dig into the natural processes that re-cycle our Earth’s resources. (ages 6-10)
Summer Teen Volunteer Orientation
Tue, Jul 07, 6:30pm - 7:45pm
Large Meeting Room
Ages 12-18. Learn more about volunteering with Alexandria Library this summer.
PINGO! - Plastic Free Bingo
Wed, Jul 08, All day
Come to the Children's Desk to pick up a PINGO Card for Plastic Free July!
Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Beginners
Wed, Jul 08, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Large Meeting Room
Weekly sessions with Edu-Futuro from 7/8-8/12 will cover the pros and cons of AI, the basics of ChatGPT, and the best AI tools to use in your daily life. Registration required, class is in English. Register
Paleontology Playtime
Wed, Jul 08, 10:30am - 11:15am
Frank and Betty Wright Reading Garden
Dress for mess, bring your curiosity, and join us for a variety of dinosaur-themed sensory play! (ages 0-6)
Peter Wood: Collector of the Impossible - Peter Wood: Coleccionista de lo imposible
Wed, Jul 08, 5:00pm - 5:45pm
Large Meeting Room
Peter Wood, the Collector of the Impossible, presents incredible magical objects with unparalleled showmanship. (Ages 6-12)
PINGO! - Plastic Free Bingo
Thu, Jul 09, All day
Come to the Children's Desk to pick up a PINGO Card for Plastic Free July!
Storytime in the Reading Garden - Cuentos en el jardín de lectura
Thu, Jul 09, 10:30am - 11:00am
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 0-8 with an adult.
Baby Bounce - for babies 0-14 months and their caretaker(s)
Thu, Jul 09, 1:15pm - 2:00pm
Large Meeting Room
Baby storytime, plus opportunities to build relationships with other caretakers of young children! For ages 0-14 months, accompanied by an adult.
Tai Chi at Beatley Library - Balance Your Mind and Body
Thu, Jul 09, 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Frank and Betty Wright Reading Garden,Large Meeting Room
Join Jorge Banales as he gives free 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.
PINGO! - Plastic Free Bingo
Fri, Jul 10, All day
Come to the Children's Desk to pick up a PINGO Card for Plastic Free July!
Rhythmaya: Bollywood Dance - Rhythmaya: Baile bollywoodense
Fri, Jul 10, 10:30am - 11:15am
Frank and Betty Wright Reading Garden,Large Meeting Room
Dance along with us as Rhythmaya shares Indian culture through music, art and movement. (All ages)
Bar C Ranch: Amazing Adaptations - Adaptaciones asombrosas
Fri, Jul 10, 11:00am - 12:00pm
1115 Martha Custis Drive
This exciting program introduces five or more animals from around the world. Learn about their habitats, diets and some of the amazing adaptations that help them to survive in the wild. (Ages 6-12)
PINGO! - Plastic Free Bingo
Sat, Jul 11, All day
Come to the Children's Desk to pick up a PINGO Card for Plastic Free July!
Borrow a Board Game
Sat, Jul 11, 10:00am - 4:45pm
Use the library's board and card games while hanging out in the youth services area!
Teen Advisory Group - Monthly Meeting
Sat, Jul 11, 10:30am - 11:30am
Story Room
Ages 12-18. Make a difference in your library and community by sharing your opinions, volunteering, and more!
Rainbow Puppets: The Really Big Dinosaur Show
Sat, Jul 11, 10:30am - 11:15am
Frank and Betty Wright Reading Garden,Large Meeting Room
Through original songs and the use of over 20 giant puppets, the time of the dinosaurs appears on stage. (Ages 2-8)
Parlons Français - Adult Conversation Practice
Sat, Jul 11, 10:30am - 11:30am
Small Conference Room
French language practice for adults ready to move from formal instruction to real life conversation.
PINGO! - Plastic Free Bingo
Sun, Jul 12, All day
Come to the Children's Desk to pick up a PINGO Card for Plastic Free July!
Sound, Stress & Well Being - An Evidence-Based Guided Relaxation and Sound Journey
Sun, Jul 12, 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Large Meeting Room
This program integrates brief, research-informed education with guided relaxation and a 45-minute sound journey using therapeutic-grade instruments.
PINGO! - Plastic Free Bingo
Mon, Jul 13, All day
Come to the Children's Desk to pick up a PINGO Card for Plastic Free July!
Storytime in the Reading Garden - Cuentos en el jardín de lectura
Mon, Jul 13, 10:30am - 11:00am
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.
PINGO! - Plastic Free Bingo
Tue, Jul 14, All day
Come to the Children's Desk to pick up a PINGO Card for Plastic Free July!
Playtime! - ¡Hora de jugar!
Tue, Jul 14, 10:30am - 11:15am
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.
Things That Go Boom! - with Mad Science
Tue, Jul 14, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
2701 Commonwealth Ave.
Learn the four signs of a chemical reaction through foaming and color changing experiments, balloon inflation, and, of course, some explosions! (Ages 6-12)
Bookworms Compost
Tue, Jul 14, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Story Room
Get the dirt on vermicomposting with hands-on scientific exploration! Using our very own worm composting bin, we’ll dig into the natural processes that re-cycle our Earth’s resources. (ages 6-10)
See all events