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Image for event: Banned Book Badness

Banned Book Badness

A Freedom to Read Tourney
2025-10-08 00:00:00 2025-10-08 23:59:00 America/New_York Banned Book Badness Will Your Book Make It To The Final Four? Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library -

Wednesday, October 08
All day

Add to Calendar 2025-10-08 00:00:00 2025-10-08 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
Phone: 703.746.1702
Fax: 703.746.1763
Hours
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We're closed Friday June 19 due to Juneteenth
Mon, Jun 15 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Tue, Jun 16 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Wed, Jun 17 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Thu, Jun 18 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Fri, Jun 19 Closed
(Juneteenth)
Sat, Jun 20 10:00AM to 5:00PM
Sun, Jun 21 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 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)
JUNE English Language Learning (ELL) 2 Workshop - Intermediate Conversation
Wed, Jun 17, 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.
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)
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!
Borrow a Board Game
Sat, Jun 20, 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 20, 10:30am - 11:30am
Small Conference Room
French language practice for adults ready to move from formal instruction to real life conversation.
Handcraft Tuesday - Weekend Edition
Sat, Jun 20, 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!
Writers Group at Beatley
Sun, Jun 21, 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!
Alexandria Oddball Cinema - Paradox Lost
Sun, Jun 21, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
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!
Storytime in the Reading Garden - Cuentos en el jardín de lectura
Mon, Jun 22, 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.
Pollinator Party - Butterflies, Bees, and Ladybugs — oh my!
Mon, Jun 22, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Large Meeting Room
Drop in to play pretend, make some crafts, and learn about the pollinators who keep our world buzzing in celebration of National Pollinator Week. (ages 2-12)
JUNE English Language Learning (ELL) 2 Workshop - Intermediate Conversation
Mon, Jun 22, 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 23, 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.
Bar C Ranch: Amazing Adaptations - Adaptaciones asombrosas
Tue, Jun 23, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
25 W Reed Ave.
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)
Teen Summer Book Club - Fantasy/ Science Fiction
Tue, Jun 23, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Small Conference Room
Ages 12-18. Talk about this month's book and share reading suggestions!
Bookworms Compost
Tue, Jun 23, 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)
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!
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)
Handcraft Tuesday - Evening Edition
Tue, Jun 30, 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
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.
See all events