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The CHAT

Change Happens with Alexandria Teens

2026-05-30 10:30:00 2026-05-30 12:00:00 America/New_York The CHAT Ages 14-19. Participate in this special recorded conversation about being a teen in Alexandria. Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library - Second Floor

Saturday, May 30
10:30am - 12:00pm

Add to Calendar 2026-05-30 10:30:00 2026-05-30 12:00:00 America/New_York The CHAT Ages 14-19. Participate in this special recorded conversation about being a teen in Alexandria. Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library - Second Floor

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.

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, Jun 22 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Tue, Jun 23 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Wed, Jun 24 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Thu, Jun 25 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Fri, Jun 26 10:00AM to 5:00PM
Sat, Jun 27 10:00AM to 5:00PM
Sun, Jun 28 1:00PM to 5:00PM

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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Wed, Jun 24, 11:00am - 12:30pm
Youth Services Area
A lap-sit and playtime just for babies ages 0-12 months and their grownups.

Wed, Jun 24, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Second Floor
Calling all Science Fiction and Fantasy fans! Let's celebrate LGBTQ+ Pride Month by discussing Science Fiction and Fantasy books featuring characters and authors who are part of the LGBTQ+ community.

Thu, Jun 25, 11:00am - 11:45am
Youth Services Area
Sing along with Rocknoceros's blend of classic kids songs and their own original tunes. Ages 0-5

Thu, Jun 25, 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.

Thu, Jun 25, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Second Floor
Looking to join a Dungeons and Dragons group? Look no further!
This event is full

Mon, Jun 29, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Second Floor
Let's make air-dry clay dinosaurs!

Tue, Jun 30, 11:00am - 11:40am
Youth Services Area
Just right for ages 0-23 months. Songs, games, movement activities, and bubbles.

Wed, Jul 01, 11:00am - 12:30pm
Youth Services Area
A lap-sit and playtime just for babies ages 0-12 months and their grownups.

Wed, Jul 01, 4:00pm - 4:45pm
Youth Services Area
Sizzling fun as the Mad Scientist demonstrates properties of fire and ice. Ages 6+

Thu, Jul 02, 11:00am - 11:30am
Youth Services Area
Kids who love dinosaurs and other prehistoric creatures will be delighted by the fun and funny antics of Cobra Caroline and her prehistoric animal puppet friends. Ages 2+

Thu, Jul 02, 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.

Cancelled
Thu, Jul 02, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Looking to join a Dungeons and Dragons group? Look no further!

Thu, Jul 02, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Youth Services Area
Looking to join a Dungeons and Dragons group? Look no further!
This event is full

Tue, Jul 07, 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!

Wed, Jul 08, 11:00am - 12:30pm
Youth Services Area
A lap-sit and playtime just for babies ages 0-12 months and their grownups.

Wed, Jul 08, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Youth Services Area
Make a mini terrarium. Registration required. Ages 6 and up.
This event is full

Thu, Jul 09, 11:00am - 11:45am
Youth Services Area
A local favorite performer singing both her own and classic kids songs. Ages 0-5

Thu, Jul 09, 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.

Thu, Jul 09, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Second Floor
Looking to join a Dungeons and Dragons group? Look no further!

Sat, Jul 11, 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.

Tue, Jul 14, 11:00am - 11:45am
Youth Services Area
Kofi, a WolfTrap BabyArtsPlay artist, leads our program today. (Ages 0-5)