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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 08 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Tue, Jun 09 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Wed, Jun 10 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Thu, Jun 11 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Fri, Jun 12 10:00AM to 5:00PM
Sat, Jun 13 10:00AM to 5:00PM
Sun, Jun 14 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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Mon, Jun 08, 10:30am - 11:00am
Youth Services Area
Join us for a pop-up story time full of stories, songs, and movement. Ages 0-5.

Tue, Jun 09, 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!

Tue, Jun 09, 11:00am - 11:40am
Youth Services Area
Just right for ages 0-23 months. Songs, games, movement activities, and bubbles.

Wed, Jun 10, 11:00am - 12:30pm
Youth Services Area
A lap-sit and playtime just for babies ages 0-12 months and their grownups.

Wed, Jun 10, 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Second Floor
Futbol Papa (aka journalist Robert J. Riccio) will share his soccer journey—what soccer means to him—and why World Cup 2026, to be played on home soil this summer, is particularly significant.

Thu, Jun 11, 11:00am - 11:40am
Youth Services Area
Stories, songs, movement and more for ages 2-5.

Thu, Jun 11, 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 11, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Second Floor
Looking to join a Dungeons and Dragons group? Look no further!

Sat, Jun 13, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
First Floor
Join us to work on your book journal and share with others what you've added and read!

Sat, Jun 13, 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.

Mon, Jun 15, 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!

Tue, Jun 16, 11:00am - 11:40am
Youth Services Area
Just right for ages 0-23 months. Songs, games, movement activities, and bubbles.

Tue, Jun 16, 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.

Wed, Jun 17, 11:00am - 12:30pm
Youth Services Area
A lap-sit and playtime just for babies ages 0-12 months and their grownups.

Wed, Jun 17, 3:00pm - 4:30pm
Second Floor
Let's paint at the Library! Enjoy a tutorial with instructions on how to create the monthly painting or create your own unique work of art!

Thu, Jun 18, 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.

Thu, Jun 18, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Second Floor
Looking to join a Dungeons and Dragons group? Look no further!
This event is full

Thu, Jun 18, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Youth Services Area
Looking to join a Dungeons and Dragons group? Look no further!
This event is full

Sat, Jun 20, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Second Floor
Put off writing your will? Not yet planned your advance directive? Join us for a morning dedicated to starting the documents that helps prepare for death, accompanied by camaraderie and coffee.

Sat, Jun 20, 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Come play Dungeons & Dragons. No experience necessary. Open to ages 8-13.

Mon, Jun 22, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Second Floor
Let's make air-dry clay dinosaurs!

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

Tue, Jun 23, 6:45pm - 7:45pm
Looking for a space to talk about climate change and the things affected that we love? Join us for a monthly discussion focused on a relevant topic. Register to receive the materials suggestions.

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!