Skip to main content
Font size options
Increase or decrease the font size for this website by clicking on the 'A's.
Contrast options
Choose a color combination to give the most comfortable contrast.
Image for event: The CHAT

Registration now closed

The CHAT

Change Happens with Alexandria Teens
2026-04-18 13:00:00 2026-04-18 14:30:00 America/New_York The CHAT Ages 14-19. Participate in this special recorded conversation about being a teen in Alexandria. Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library - Story Room

Saturday, April 18
1:00pm - 2:30pm

Add to Calendar 2026-04-18 13:00:00 2026-04-18 14:30:00 America/New_York The CHAT Ages 14-19. Participate in this special recorded conversation about being a teen in Alexandria. Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library - Story Room

Ages 14-19. Participate in this special recorded conversation about being a teen in Alexandria.

  • Are you between the ages of 14-19?
  • Do you live in Alexandria?
  • Do you have opinions about what it means to be a teen living here, how you spend your time, what you wish you could change?
  • Do you like freebies, food, and creative expression?

Join us for The CHAT, one of eight recorded small group (4-6 people) conversations taking place at Alexandria Libraries in April, May, and June!

Each conversation will be moderated by our teen Youth Fellow, recorded and uploaded into Cortico, a community conversations platform, and used to create an audio archive and roadmap for improving lives of Alexandria teens. During the conversation, you'll be able to eat provided snacks and participate in open-ended creation (think clay, painting, beading, and more!).

As a thank you for participating, each teen will take home their creative project and a goody bag including a $25 gift card!

Please note: All teens 14-17 must have their guardian complete a release/ permission form allowing collection of their recorded participation and future use by Alexandria Library, Cortico, MIT, and PBS Frontline. Permission slips will be emailed upon registration. Teens are only identified by their first names and may use pseudonyms. For more information, please contact El Simmons at esimmons@alexlibraryva.org.

The CHAT: Change Happens with Alexandria Teens is part of the Teen Dialogue Accelerator Grant Program and made possible by Cortico, in partnership with MIT Center for Constructive Communication and PBS Frontline. The Teen Dialogue Accelerator program is made up of 10 public libraries from across the country that are working to amplify teen voices by exploring emerging technologies and identifying crucial connections in their community conversations.

For more information on The CHAT and other conversation dates, visit https://alexlibraryva.org/chat.

AGE GROUP: | Teens |

EVENT TYPE: | Teens | Technology | Special Event | Local History | Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion |

TAGS: | Teen Dialogue Accelerator | Teen | CHAT |

Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
dprice@alexlibraryva.org
Phone: 703.746.1702
Fax: 703.746.1763
Branch manager
Diana Price
Hours
Skip Opening Hours widget
We're closed Friday May 15 due to Staff Development Day
Mon, May 11 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Tue, May 12 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Wed, May 13 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Thu, May 14 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Fri, May 15 Closed
(Staff Development Day)
Sat, May 16 10:00AM to 5:00PM
Sun, May 17 1:00PM to 5:00PM
previous
this week
next
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

Skip Upcoming Events widget
English Language Learning (ELL) 1 Workshop - Beginner Conversation
Thu, May 14, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Large Meeting Room
Beginning English practice for English language learners. No registration needed or prior level of English. These workshops are led by volunteers and do not include certificates of completion.
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!
English Language Learning (ELL) 2 Workshop - Intermediate Conversation
Mon, May 18, 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.
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.
English Language Learning (ELL) 1 Workshop - Beginner Conversation
Tue, May 19, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Large Meeting Room
Beginning English practice for English language learners. No registration needed or prior level of English. These workshops are led by volunteers and do not include certificates of completion.
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.
English Language Learning (ELL) 2 Workshop - Intermediate Conversation
Wed, May 20, 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.
English Language Learning (ELL) 1 Workshop - Beginner Conversation
Thu, May 21, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Large Meeting Room
Beginning English practice for English language learners. No registration needed or prior level of English. These workshops are led by volunteers and do not include certificates of completion.
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.
English Language Learning (ELL) 1 Workshop - Beginner Conversation
Tue, May 26, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Large Meeting Room
Beginning English practice for English language learners. No registration needed or prior level of English. These workshops are led by volunteers and do not include certificates of completion.
Summer Teen Volunteer Orientation
Tue, May 26, 6:30pm - 7:45pm
Large Meeting Room
Ages 12-18. Learn more about volunteering with Alexandria Library this summer.
Handcraft Tuesday - Evening Edition
Tue, May 26, 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
1s and 2s Time (first session) - Tiempo para niños de 1 y 2
Wed, May 27, 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 27, 11:30am - 12:00pm
Large Meeting Room
Join us for stories, songs, and activities for your active, growing little ones! Ages 1-2
English Language Learning (ELL) 2 Workshop - Intermediate Conversation
Wed, May 27, 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.
English Language Learning (ELL) 1 Workshop - Beginner Conversation
Thu, May 28, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Large Meeting Room
Beginning English practice for English language learners. No registration needed or prior level of English. These workshops are led by volunteers and do not include certificates of completion.
Baby Bounce - for babies 0-14 months and their caretaker(s)
Thu, May 28, 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.
Tai Chi at Beatley Library - Balance Your Mind and Body
Thu, May 28, 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.
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.
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.
This event is full
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.
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.
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.
See all events