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6 book covers in two rows of three. Row 1 (from the left): My (Half) Latinx Kitchen: Half Recipes, Half Stories, All Latin American by Kiera Wright-Ruiz, Disability Visibility: 17 First-Person Stories for Today edited by Alice Wong and adapted for young a

Register 12 Seats Remaining

Nonfiction Book Tasting!
2026-07-27 18:00:00 2026-07-27 19:00:00 America/New_York Nonfiction Book Tasting! Want to read more nonfiction but not sure where to begin? This is the program for you! Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library - Second Floor

Monday, July 27
6:00pm - 7:00pm

Add to Calendar 2026-07-27 18:00:00 2026-07-27 19:00:00 America/New_York Nonfiction Book Tasting! Want to read more nonfiction but not sure where to begin? This is the program for you! Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library - Second Floor

Want to read more nonfiction but not sure where to begin? This is the program for you!

Middle Grade, Young Adult, and Adult nonfiction books will be available for checkout for readers ages 11 years and up. Enjoy some pastries as you look through the books during the program!

Learn about the way the library organizes nonfiction books into different topics like poetry, dinosaurs, cooking, history, art, memoir, and more! Do you have a topic you want to see featured? Email Skie Thorp at kthorp@alexlibraryva.org with your request!

Registration is preferred but not required.

Sponsors: SummerQuest Jr. is made possible through a generous grant from the James M. Duncan, Jr. Library Foundation, Inc. SummerQuest is made possible through support from the Alexandria Library Foundation, Inc., the Friends of Beatley Central Library, Friends of Barrett Library, Friends of Burke Library, and Friends of Duncan Library.

AGE GROUP: | Teens | Seniors | Adults |

EVENT TYPE: | Teens | Summer Quest | Book Discussion Groups |

TAGS: | SummerQuest | summer reading | Summer Quest | #SummerQuest |

Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library
jcahill@alexlibraryva.org
Phone: 703.746.1703
Fax: 703.746.1708
Branch manager
James Cahill
Hours
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Mon, Apr 27 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Tue, Apr 28 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Wed, Apr 29 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Thu, Apr 30 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Fri, May 01 10:00AM to 5:00PM
Sat, May 02 10:00AM to 5:00PM
Sun, May 03 1:00PM to 5:00PM
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About the branch

Parking: No library parking lot.  Street parking is available.  A paid parking lot is available on the 100 block of North Alfred Street. 

Public Transit:

  • Metrorail: Yellow and Blue lines at Braddock Road (1 mile) and King Street Stations (1.1 miles). 
  • Metrobus: A11, A12, F19
  • DASH Bus: 30, 31, Old Town Circulator
  • King Street Trolley:  King & Columbus

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

Upcoming Events

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Turning the Lens on Plastic Pollution Through Art - Art Exhibit featuring the Works of the Boys & Girls Club
Wed, Apr 29, All day
Running through Earth Month, Barrett Branch will feature art created by the Dunbar Boys & Girls Club accompanied by facts on plastic pollution and its impact on our planet.
Just Babies - Solo Los Bebés
Wed, Apr 29, 11:00am - 12:30pm
Youth Services Area
A lap-sit and playtime just for babies ages 0-12 months and their grownups.
Ghost Stories in the American South - A historical perspective on ghosts in Sing, Unburied, Sing
Wed, Apr 29, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Second Floor
Office of Historic Alexandria staff will join us to help unpack the differing concepts of ghosts, ghost stories, and other spirits raised in Jesmyn Ward’s novel "Sing, Unburied, Sing."
This event is full
Turning the Lens on Plastic Pollution Through Art - Art Exhibit featuring the Works of the Boys & Girls Club
Thu, Apr 30, All day
Running through Earth Month, Barrett Branch will feature art created by the Dunbar Boys & Girls Club accompanied by facts on plastic pollution and its impact on our planet.
PreSchool Story Time: American Folk Songs
Thu, Apr 30, 11:00am - 11:40am
Youth Services Area
PreSchool Story Time celebrates our country with traditional songs and stories.
The CHAT - Change Happens with Alexandria Teens
Sat, May 02, 10:30am - 12:00pm
Second Floor
Ages 14-19. Participate in this special recorded conversation about being a teen in Alexandria.
English Conversation Club - Develop & Practice Your English Conversation Skills
Sat, May 02, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Second Floor
Welcome! Are you looking to improve your English language skills? Join us for English conversation practice, with new topics each session! Ages 14+
Spanish Conversation Club
Sat, May 02, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Second Floor
Develop and exercise your Spanish conversation skills. Ages 14+
Sunshine Readers - An outside book club!
Tue, May 05, 10:00am - 11:30am
Outdoors
Let's get some fresh air and enjoy some sunshine as we discuss the latest books we've been reading!
Bilingual Storytime - Hora de cuentos bilingue
Tue, May 05, 10:30am - 10:45am
Youth Services Area
Start your morning with stories, rhymes and songs in English and Spanish ¡Empieza su mañana con cuentos, rimas y canciones en inglés y español!
Baby and Toddler Time - La hora de los bebés y los niños
Tue, May 05, 11:00am - 11:35am
Youth Services Area
Just right for ages 0-23 months. Songs, games, movement activities, and bubbles.
Just Babies - Solo Los Bebés
Wed, May 06, 11:00am - 12:30pm
Youth Services Area
A lap-sit and playtime just for babies ages 0-12 months and their grownups.
Preschool Story Time - Story Time for ages 2-5
Thu, May 07, 11:00am - 11:40am
Youth Services Area
Stories, songs, movement and more for ages 2-5.
Carefull Knit & Crochet - America250
Thu, May 07, 3:00pm - 4:30pm
Contribute to Barrett Branch’s fiber arts group making scarves to donate. Visit our display in honor of America250 and our work to build a community of care. Add your scarf to the collection.
Dungeons and Dragons: Teen Group! - Adventure awaits!
Thu, May 07, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Youth Services Area
Looking to join a Dungeons and Dragons group? Look no further!
Dungeons and Dragons Adult Group: Group B - Adventure awaits!
Thu, May 07, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Second Floor
Looking to join a Dungeons and Dragons group? Look no further!
Gear Up for Bike to Work Day!
Sat, May 09, 10:00am - 1:00pm
Outdoors
Get set for Bike to Work Day by making sure your bike is ready to go. Volunteer mechanics from Velocity Bicycle Co-op will be on hand to provide checkups and basic maintenance.
Building Better Bonds! - Positive reinforcement training and bonding with your pet!
Sat, May 09, 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Second Floor
AWLA's Behavior and Training Manager will provide tips for living harmoniously with your dog or cat at home, answer specific questions about your pet, and chat about AWLA's Alexandria Animal Academy.
Bilingual Storytime - Hora de cuentos bilingue
Tue, May 12, 10:30am - 10:45am
Youth Services Area
Start your morning with stories, rhymes and songs in English and Spanish ¡Empieza su mañana con cuentos, rimas y canciones en inglés y español!
Baby and Toddler Time - La hora de los bebés y los niños
Tue, May 12, 11:00am - 11:35am
Youth Services Area
Just right for ages 0-23 months. Songs, games, movement activities, and bubbles.
Just Babies - Solo Los Bebés
Wed, May 13, 11:00am - 12:30pm
Youth Services Area
A lap-sit and playtime just for babies ages 0-12 months and their grownups.
Preschool Story Time - Story Time for ages 2-5
Thu, May 14, 11:00am - 11:40am
Youth Services Area
Stories, songs, movement and more for ages 2-5.
American Style Mahjong - Let's play Mahjong!
Thu, May 14, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Second Floor
The Barrett Branch Mahjong group meets the second and fourth Thursdays of the month. Space is available for up to 12 players, so it's first come first served as game tables fill.
Dungeons and Dragons Adult Group: Group A - Adventure awaits!
Thu, May 14, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Second Floor
Looking to join a Dungeons and Dragons group? Look no further!
Dungeons & Dragons at the Library
Sat, May 16, 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Second Floor
Come play Dungeons & Dragons. No experience necessary. Open to ages 8-13.
This event is full
Medicare 101 - Helping you navigate Medicare with VA Insurance Counseling
Mon, May 18, 5:00pm - 7:00pm
Come learn about your Medicare options – Original Medicare (Parts A & B), Medicare Advantage (Part C), Medicare Prescription Drug (Part D), and Medicare Supplement (Medigap).
Horror Fans Unite! - A year-round horror club!
Mon, May 18, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Second Floor
Do you like scary movies, books, tv shows, or video games? Do you enjoy making horror themed DIY projects? This is the event for you!
Bilingual Storytime - Hora de cuentos bilingue
Tue, May 19, 10:30am - 10:45am
Youth Services Area
Start your morning with stories, rhymes and songs in English and Spanish ¡Empieza su mañana con cuentos, rimas y canciones en inglés y español!
Baby and Toddler Time - La hora de los bebés y los niños
Tue, May 19, 11:00am - 11:35am
Youth Services Area
Just right for ages 0-23 months. Songs, games, movement activities, and bubbles.
Death Café
Tue, May 19, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Second Floor
Take part in a group-led discussion about death and dying without any set agenda, objectives, or themes. Tea and sweets will be provided.
See all events