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Image for event: Banned Book Badness

Banned Book Badness

A Freedom to Read Tourney
2025-10-07 00:00:00 2025-10-07 23:59:00 America/New_York Banned Book Badness Will Your Book Make It To The Final Four? Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library -

Tuesday, October 07
All day

Add to Calendar 2025-10-07 00:00:00 2025-10-07 23:59:00 America/New_York Banned Book Badness Will Your Book Make It To The Final Four? Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library -

Will Your Book Make It To The Final Four?

Celebrate your Freedom to Read during Banned Books week by selecting frequently challenged books to advance in a tournament style competition. Visit the Charles E. Beatley, Jr. Reference Desk to support your favorite titles. 
Voting will take place October 3-11! 

AGE GROUP: | Teens | Seniors | Adults |

EVENT TYPE: | Special Event |

TAGS: | Freedom to Read | Banned Books Week |

Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
dprice@alexlibraryva.org
Phone: 703.746.1702
Fax: 703.746.1763
Branch manager
Diana Price
Hours
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We're closed Monday May 25 due to Memorial Day
Mon, May 25 Closed
(Memorial Day)
Tue, May 26 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Wed, May 27 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Thu, May 28 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Fri, May 29 10:00AM to 5:00PM
Sat, May 30 10:00AM to 5:00PM
Sun, May 31 1:00PM to 5:00PM
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About the branch

Parking: The library has a large parking lot with 175 spaces.

Public Transit:

  • Metrorail: King Street Station (Yellow & Blue Lines 3.2 miles); Van Dorn Station (Blue Line 2.1 miles)
  • Metrobus: F23, F24, A28
  • DASH Bus: 30, 32

For reasonable disability accommodation, contact jgregorio@alexlibraryva.org or call 703.746.1701 or TTY 703.746.1790.

Upcoming Events

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Parlons Français - Adult Conversation Practice
Sat, May 30, 10:30am - 11:30am
Small Conference Room
French language practice for adults ready to move from formal instruction to real life conversation.
Registration is now closed
The Knit Doctor Is In - A partnership with Project Knitwell
Sat, May 30, 11:00am - 12:30pm
Experienced knitters from Project Knitwell will offer their advice on your knottiest knitting problem.
Spring Learn to Knit Class - A Partnership with Project Knitwell
Sat, May 30, 11:00am - 12:30pm
Board Room
This program is intended for people who are new to knitting or returning to knitting and in need of a refresher.
Registration is now closed
Handcraft Tuesday - Weekend Edition
Sat, May 30, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Large Meeting 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!
Art Break with Alexandria's Poet Laureate Cristi Donoso - A Creative Workshop for Parents and Caregivers
Sun, May 31, 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Large Meeting Room
Parents and caregivers, enjoy an afternoon of making art as a way to rest, recharge, and share the complexities of caregiving with others.
Twice Loved Plushies - Come adopt a new plushie today
Mon, Jun 01, 10:00am - 8:00pm
Come adopt a gently used plushie. Plushies have been cleaned and refreshed. Come by the circulation desk and request yours today. One plushie per person while supplies last.
Twice Loved Plushies - Come adopt a new plushie today
Tue, Jun 02, 10:00am - 8:00pm
Come adopt a gently used plushie. Plushies have been cleaned and refreshed. Come by the circulation desk and request yours today. One plushie per person while supplies last.
Twice Loved Plushies - Come adopt a new plushie today
Wed, Jun 03, 10:00am - 8:00pm
Come adopt a gently used plushie. Plushies have been cleaned and refreshed. Come by the circulation desk and request yours today. One plushie per person while supplies last.
Paws to Read
Wed, Jun 03, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
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.
Twice Loved Plushies - Come adopt a new plushie today
Thu, Jun 04, 10:00am - 8:00pm
Come adopt a gently used plushie. Plushies have been cleaned and refreshed. Come by the circulation desk and request yours today. One plushie per person while supplies last.
Handcraft Crafternoon
Thu, Jun 04, 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!
Twice Loved Plushies - Come adopt a new plushie today
Fri, Jun 05, 10:00am - 5:00pm
Come adopt a gently used plushie. Plushies have been cleaned and refreshed. Come by the circulation desk and request yours today. One plushie per person while supplies last.
Twice Loved Plushies - Come adopt a new plushie today
Sat, Jun 06, 10:00am - 5:00pm
Come adopt a gently used plushie. Plushies have been cleaned and refreshed. Come by the circulation desk and request yours today. One plushie per person while supplies last.
SummerQuest Kick-Off Event
Sat, Jun 06, 10:30am - 12:30pm
Frank and Betty Wright Reading Garden
Pick up a brochure of SummerQuest programs, learn about the summer reading challenge, enjoy some snacks, and meet a special guest from the Washington Nationals! (Ages 0-12)
Twice Loved Plushies - Come adopt a new plushie today
Sun, Jun 07, 1:00pm - 5:00pm
Come adopt a gently used plushie. Plushies have been cleaned and refreshed. Come by the circulation desk and request yours today. One plushie per person while supplies last.
Writers Group at Beatley
Sun, Jun 07, 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!
Twice Loved Plushies - Come adopt a new plushie today
Mon, Jun 08, 10:00am - 8:00pm
Come adopt a gently used plushie. Plushies have been cleaned and refreshed. Come by the circulation desk and request yours today. One plushie per person while supplies last.
Twice Loved Plushies - Come adopt a new plushie today
Tue, Jun 09, 10:00am - 8:00pm
Come adopt a gently used plushie. Plushies have been cleaned and refreshed. Come by the circulation desk and request yours today. One plushie per person while supplies last.
Summer Teen Volunteer Orientation
Tue, Jun 09, 6:30pm - 7:45pm
Story Room
Ages 12-18. Learn more about volunteering with Alexandria Library this summer.
Twice Loved Plushies - Come adopt a new plushie today
Wed, Jun 10, 10:00am - 8:00pm
Come adopt a gently used plushie. Plushies have been cleaned and refreshed. Come by the circulation desk and request yours today. One plushie per person while supplies last.
Twice Loved Plushies - Come adopt a new plushie today
Thu, Jun 11, 10:00am - 8:00pm
Come adopt a gently used plushie. Plushies have been cleaned and refreshed. Come by the circulation desk and request yours today. One plushie per person while supplies last.
Tai Chi at Beatley Library - Balance Your Mind and Body
Thu, Jun 11, 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Frank and Betty Wright Reading Garden,Periodicals 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.
Twice Loved Plushies - Come adopt a new plushie today
Fri, Jun 12, 10:00am - 5:00pm
Come adopt a gently used plushie. Plushies have been cleaned and refreshed. Come by the circulation desk and request yours today. One plushie per person while supplies last.
Twice Loved Plushies - Come adopt a new plushie today
Sat, Jun 13, 10:00am - 5:00pm
Come adopt a gently used plushie. Plushies have been cleaned and refreshed. Come by the circulation desk and request yours today. One plushie per person while supplies last.
Twice Loved Plushies - Come adopt a new plushie today
Sun, Jun 14, 1:00pm - 5:00pm
Come adopt a gently used plushie. Plushies have been cleaned and refreshed. Come by the circulation desk and request yours today. One plushie per person while supplies last.
Twice Loved Plushies - Come adopt a new plushie today
Mon, Jun 15, 10:00am - 8:00pm
Come adopt a gently used plushie. Plushies have been cleaned and refreshed. Come by the circulation desk and request yours today. One plushie per person while supplies last.
Storytime in the Reading Garden - Cuentos en el jardín de lectura
Mon, Jun 15, 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.
Alexandria Library Board meeting
Mon, Jun 15, 4:00pm - 6:00pm
Board Room
Alexandria Library Board meeting
Twice Loved Plushies - Come adopt a new plushie today
Tue, Jun 16, 10:00am - 8:00pm
Come adopt a gently used plushie. Plushies have been cleaned and refreshed. Come by the circulation desk and request yours today. One plushie per person while supplies last.
Playtime! - ¡Hora de jugar!
Tue, Jun 16, 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 16, 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)
Banned Book Club - Explore and Unpack Challenged and Banned Books
Tue, Jun 16, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Small Conference Room
The book club will promote freedom of expression and support authors whose books have been banned or challenged.
Handcraft Tuesday - Evening Edition
Tue, Jun 16, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
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
Twice Loved Plushies - Come adopt a new plushie today
Wed, Jun 17, 10:00am - 8:00pm
Come adopt a gently used plushie. Plushies have been cleaned and refreshed. Come by the circulation desk and request yours today. One plushie per person while supplies last.
Paleontology Playtime
Wed, Jun 17, 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)
Culture Queen: Juneteenth Jubilee
Wed, Jun 17, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Frank and Betty Wright Reading Garden,Large Meeting Room
Join Grammy-nominated performer Culture Queen for an interactive musical storytelling show and learn the meaning of the Juneteenth holiday. (All ages)
Twice Loved Plushies - Come adopt a new plushie today
Thu, Jun 18, 10:00am - 8:00pm
Come adopt a gently used plushie. Plushies have been cleaned and refreshed. Come by the circulation desk and request yours today. One plushie per person while supplies last.
Storytime in the Reading Garden - Cuentos en el jardín de lectura
Thu, Jun 18, 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 18, 1:15pm - 2:00pm
Large Meeting Room,Periodicals 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, Jun 18, 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!
Addy’s Juneteenth Picnic - an American Girl party with your doll (ages 6-12)
Thu, Jun 18, 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Frank and Betty Wright Reading Garden
Bring your doll and celebrate Freedom Day with American Girl’s Addy! We will have stories, games, crafts, music, and thematic snacks. In the event of inclement weather, program will be cancelled.
Alexandria Oddball Cinema - See for Me
Thu, Jun 18, 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Large Meeting Room
Oddball Cinema brings you all of the weird, eclectic, and lesser-known films you probably never saw in theaters. Click on the event title for more info!
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