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Image for event: American Girl Birthday Party and Meet-and-Greet

American Girl Birthday Party and Meet-and-Greet

Plus prize drawing! Passport to American History
2026-05-05 16:00:00 2026-05-05 16:45:00 America/New_York American Girl Birthday Party and Meet-and-Greet Celebrate the American Girl Company’s 40th birthday and meet Alexandria Library’s BRAND NEW American Girl dolls! (Ages 6-12) Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library -

Tuesday, May 05
4:00pm - 4:45pm

Add to Calendar 2026-05-05 16:00:00 2026-05-05 16:45:00 America/New_York American Girl Birthday Party and Meet-and-Greet Celebrate the American Girl Company’s 40th birthday and meet Alexandria Library’s BRAND NEW American Girl dolls! (Ages 6-12) Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library -

Celebrate the American Girl Company’s 40th birthday and meet Alexandria Library’s BRAND NEW American Girl dolls! (Ages 6-12)

Join your peers, library staff, and our American Girl doll friends for a celebration marking the end of All Alexandria Reads 2026: America 250.

Play party games, meet our new dolls, have a little birthday cake, and stick around for the prize drawing! 

Enter the drawing by submitting your fully stamped American Girl passport. Earn a stamp by attending each of April’s American Girl “Passport to American History” events, or visiting the corresponding historical site. Pick up a blank passport at any Alexandria Library youth services desk.

If you’re unable to attend the May 5th celebration, visit any Alexandria Library youth services desk by May 4th and present your fully stamped passport to enter a virtual drawing.

Events and historical sites for your passport:  

April 7th: Passport to American History with Julie Albright (1970s) 

Historical site alternative: The Earl Lloyd statue at Charles Houston Recreation Center | Julie pushed the boundaries of basketball at her new school by joining the all-boys team; 20 years earlier, Alexandria’s own Earl Lloyd pushed the boundaries of basketball as the first African American to play in an NBA game! 901 Wythe St., open daily, hours vary; visit https://www.alexandriava.gov/recreation-centers/charles-houston-recreation-center to plan your visit. 


April 14th: Passport to American History with Melody Ellison (1960s)  

Historical site alternative: The Alexandria Black History Museum | Explore the history of African Americans in Alexandria and the ways they’ve advocated for their rights – just like Melody! 902 Wythe St., open Thursday-Sunday, visit https://www.alexandriava.gov/BlackHistory to learn more.  


April 21st: Passport to American History with Molly McIntire (1940s)  

Historical site alternative: The Torpedo Factory | Once Alexandria’s own historic wartime munitions factory, this building is now an art center. Snap a picture with the World War II-era Mark XIV green torpedo, currently displayed in their main hall.105 N. Union St., open daily from 10am – 6pm. Learn more at https://torpedofactory.org/.


April 28th: Passport to American History with Felicity Merriman (1770s) 

Historical site alternative: Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum | This apothecary – like a pharmacy – was founded in 1792; Felicity might have visited if she journeyed north from Williamsburg. 105-107 South Fairfax Street, hours vary; visit https://www.alexandriava.gov/museums/location/visit-stabler-leadbeater-apothecary-museum to plan your trip.  

If you choose to visit a historical site rather than attending the corresponding event, take a photo of yourself there and present it to the Children’s desk at your local Alexandria Library branch by May 4th to get your passport stamped.  

AGE GROUP: | Children |

EVENT TYPE: | Special Event | Children | All Alexandria Reads |

TAGS: | American Girl | america250 | All Alexandria Reads | Alex250 | #AllAlexandriaReads |

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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Mon, May 04 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Tue, May 05 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Wed, May 06 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Thu, May 07 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Fri, May 08 10:00AM to 5:00PM
Sat, May 09 10:00AM to 5:00PM
Sun, May 10 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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Playtime! - ¡Hora de jugar!
Tue, May 05, 11:00am - 11:45am
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.
American Girl Birthday Party and Meet-and-Greet - Plus prize drawing! Passport to American History
Tue, May 05, 4:00pm - 4:45pm
Celebrate the American Girl Company’s 40th birthday and meet Alexandria Library’s BRAND NEW American Girl dolls! (Ages 6-12)
Teen Volunteer Orientation
Tue, May 05, 6:30pm - 7:15pm
Ages 12-18. Learn more about volunteering with Alexandria Library.
1s and 2s Time (first session) - Tiempo para niños de 1 y 2
Wed, May 06, 10:30am - 11:00am
Large Meeting Room
Join us for stories, songs, and activities for your active, growing little ones! Ages 1-2
1s and 2s Time (second session) - Tiempo para niños de 1 y 2
Wed, May 06, 11:30am - 12:00pm
Large Meeting Room
Join us for stories, songs, and activities for your active, growing little ones! Ages 1-2
Paws to Read
Wed, May 06, 5:00pm - 6:00pm
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.
Baby Bounce - for babies 0-14 months and their caretaker(s)
Thu, May 07, 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. 15 months and older, please attend 1s and 2s.
Handcraft Crafternoon
Thu, May 07, 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!
Preschool Storytime
Thu, May 07, 4:00pm - 4:30pm
Large Meeting Room
Join Miss Amy for stories, songs, movement, and activities just right for preschool children. Ages 3-5 with adult.
Coding Game Night - ages 6-12 - Hands-on fun in programming, robotics, and electronics!
Thu, May 07, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Story Room
Drop in and play with our coding board games, card games, toys, and robots! Ages 6-12.
Borrow a Board Game
Sat, May 09, 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, May 09, 10:30am - 11:30am
Small Conference Room
French language practice for adults ready to move from formal instruction to real life conversation.
Take A Seat Teen Docent Art Tour - Register for just one session
Sat, May 09, 10:30am - 10:50am
Learn about the artwork in the Take A Seat exhibit by taking a guided tour with a volunteer teen docent.
Take A Seat Teen Docent Art Tour - Register for just one session
Sat, May 09, 11:30am - 11:50am
Learn about the artwork in the Take A Seat exhibit by taking a guided tour with a volunteer teen docent.
Take A Seat Panel Discussion and Art Exhibit
Sat, May 09, 12:00pm - 1:30pm
Large Meeting Room
Come see all the completed chairs displayed at the Beatley Central Branch and hear from a panel of participating Take A Seat artists and art experts discussing the project.
Handcraft Tuesday - Weekend Edition
Sat, May 09, 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!
Teens Teach! - Electricity 2!
Sat, May 09, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Story Room
Ages 6-12. Explore open and closed circuits while making a simple robot!
Storytime in the Reading Garden - Cuentos en el jardín de lectura
Mon, May 11, 11:00am - 11:30am
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.
Teen Takeover
Mon, May 11, 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Ages 12-18. Do homework, play games, and just hang out in an area set aside for teens ONLY!
Playtime! - ¡Hora de jugar!
Tue, May 12, 11:00am - 11:45am
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.
What to Expect at Work - A Parents Guide to Employment Protections
Tue, May 12, 6:15pm - 7:00pm
Large Meeting Room
This presentation provides an overview of workplace rights for employees who are pregnant, postpartum or lactating in the DMV area.
1s and 2s Time (first session) - Tiempo para niños de 1 y 2
Wed, May 13, 10:30am - 11:00am
Large Meeting Room
Join us for stories, songs, and activities for your active, growing little ones! Ages 1-2
1s and 2s Time (second session) - Tiempo para niños de 1 y 2
Wed, May 13, 11:30am - 12:00pm
Large Meeting Room
Join us for stories, songs, and activities for your active, growing little ones! Ages 1-2
Baby Bounce - for babies 0-14 months and their caretaker(s)
Thu, May 14, 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. 15 months and older, please attend 1s and 2s.
Preschool Storytime
Thu, May 14, 4:00pm - 4:30pm
Large Meeting Room
Join Miss Amy for stories, songs, movement, and activities just right for preschool children. Ages 3-5 with adult.
Tai Chi at Beatley Library - Balance Your Mind and Body
Thu, May 14, 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.
Coding Game Night - ages 6-12 - Hands-on fun in programming, robotics, and electronics!
Thu, May 14, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Story Room
Drop in and play with our coding board games, card games, toys, and robots! Ages 6-12.
Borrow a Board Game
Sat, May 16, 10:00am - 4:45pm
Use the library's board and card games while hanging out in the youth services area!
Grand Gaming Melee - Alexandria-Arlington Regional Gaming Group (AARGGH)
Sat, May 16, 10:30am - 4:30pm
Large Meeting Room
Grand Gaming Melee: The Alexandria-Arlington Regional Gaming Group (AARGGH) invites you to play dice games, card games, tile games, and just about any other kind of tabletop game. Register
Writers Group at Beatley
Sun, May 17, 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!
Alzheimer's Association Caregiver Support Group
Sun, May 17, 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Board Room
Alexandria Library partners with the Alzheimer's Association's National Area Chapter to bring you a quarterly support group at Beatley Central Library.
Alexandria Oddball Cinema - The Frame
Sun, May 17, 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!
The CHAT - Change Happens with Alexandria Teens
Mon, May 18, 5:30pm - 7:00pm
Board Room
Ages 14-19. Participate in this special recorded conversation about being a teen in Alexandria.
Banned Book Club - Explore and Unpack Challenged and Banned Books
Tue, May 19, 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.
1s and 2s Time (first session) - Tiempo para niños de 1 y 2
Wed, May 20, 10:30am - 11:00am
Large Meeting Room
Join us for stories, songs, and activities for your active, growing little ones! Ages 1-2
1s and 2s Time (second session) - Tiempo para niños de 1 y 2
Wed, May 20, 11:30am - 12:00pm
Large Meeting Room
Join us for stories, songs, and activities for your active, growing little ones! Ages 1-2
Paws to Read
Wed, May 20, 5:00pm - 6:00pm
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.
Baby Bounce - for babies 0-14 months and their caretaker(s)
Thu, May 21, 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. 15 months and older, please attend 1s and 2s.
Handcraft Crafternoon
Thu, May 21, 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!
Preschool Storytime
Thu, May 21, 4:00pm - 4:30pm
Large Meeting Room
Join Miss Amy for stories, songs, movement, and activities just right for preschool children. Ages 3-5 with adult.
Alexandria Oddball Cinema - Morgan
Thu, May 21, 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!
Sound, Stress & Well Being - An Evidence-Based Guided Relaxation and Sound Journey
Sun, May 24, 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.
See all events