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ADULT WINTER READING


To celebrate Love Your Library Month, the Library is hosting its annual Adult Winter Reading Contest.

Starting February 1, patrons are encouraged to stop by any Alexandria Library branch to learn more about the Adult Winter Reading program.

By reading one book or listening to one audiobook, you can be entered to win a gift card. You can fill out an entry form at any of the branches or participate at alexandria.beanstack.com. Maximum of five entries per customer.

Physical entries must be submitted by Friday, February 28, 2025. 

 

BOOK MATCH

What are your favorite types of books? What book can you not live without? 

Fill out a short questionnaire and receive a personalized list of book recommendations hand-picked by our staff.

 

GET A BOOK MATCH

 

BOOKS & AUTHORS

Browse genres, search for a title or author, review booklists and more.

 

ACCESS BOOKS AND AUTHORS

 

 VIEW TUTORIAL

 

NOVELIST

Find book recommendations based on appeal factors, curated lists, and read-alikes for titles you enjoy.

 

ACCESS NOVELIST

 

 VIEW TUTORIAL

Upcoming Events
August Artist Adventure
Thu, Aug 28, All day
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library
Take Home Kits, available starting August 21 at the Beatley Information Desk.
Book a Librarian - Applications Assistance
Thu, Aug 28, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library
Schedule time with a librarian on Thursday mornings to receive help with applications. Appointments are available at 10 AM and 11 AM. Please call 703-746-1721 to schedule an appointment.
Line Dancing
Thu, Aug 28, 12:00pm - 1:00pm
Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library - Meeting Room
Learn basic line dance steps while you workout to Golden Oldies music. This is a great class for beginners. Bring a friend or come alone. Please wear comfortable shoes and clothing.
How to Thrive in a World of Constant Chaos - with Organizational Psychologist Dr. Tasha Eurich
Thu, Aug 28, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Virtual - Virtual
Learn how to master the daily grind and become shatterproof in a tumultuous world with key insights by Dr. Tasha Eurich as she talks about her newest book, Shatterproof.Register
Summer Film Series - "Judy"
Thu, Aug 28, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library - Meeting Room
Please join us for a screening of the 2019 Academy Award Winning Film for Best Actress, starring Renee Zellweger.
American Style Mahjong - Learn and Play
Thu, Aug 28, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library - 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.
Handcraft Crafternoon
Thu, Aug 28, 3:00pm - 5:00pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library - 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!
Tai Chi at Beatley Library - Balance Your Mind and Body
Thu, Aug 28, 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library - Frank and Betty Wright Reading Garden,Large Meeting Room
Join Jorge Banales as he gives 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.
Nerdy Knotters - Knitting and Crochet group
Thu, Aug 28, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library - Beth Patridge Meeting Room
All crafters are welcome! Ages 13+
VETOGA Weekly Community Yoga (Hatha-Raja) - Level 1 sessions hosted by Adam Shaw
Sat, Aug 30, 10:30am - 11:30am
James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library - Beth Patridge Meeting Room
Stretch, breathe and cultivate your connections with body-heart-mind-spirit
This event is full
Rescheduled
Introduction to Tarot
Sat, Aug 30, 11:30am - 12:30pm
New date Saturday, September 20, 12:00pm - 12:30pm
Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library
Join us for a fun-filled hour learning more about tarot!
Oddball Cinema - La chimera
Sat, Aug 30, 2:00pm - 4:30pm
James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library - Beth Patridge Meeting Room
Join oddball cinema for a showing of the film!
Handcraft Tuesday - Weekend Edition
Sat, Aug 30, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library - 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!
French Conversation Club
Sat, Aug 30, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library - Board Room
Ages 14+. Develop and exercise your French conversation skills.
Cancelled
Adult and Dragons - REGISTRATION CLOSED
Mon, Sep 01, 5:30pm - 7:30pm
James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library
We roll at dusk!
Sunshine Readers - An outside book club!
Tue, Sep 02, 10:00am - 11:30am
Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library - Outdoors
Let's get some fresh air, explore Old Town, and talk about the latest books we've been reading!
Common Ground - Documentary Screening and Discussion
Tue, Sep 02, 5:45pm - 7:45pm
Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library - Second Floor
Join us for our second screening and discussion around soil health with a film that looks even closer at the success and hope of regenerative agriculture.
Stitcher's Space - Sew, quilt, knit, crochet, embroider! Every Wednesday!
Wed, Sep 03, 10:30am - 12:30pm
Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library - Meeting Room
Enjoy weekly sessions with other fiber artists. Bring and share your projects, and see others. Quilting tutorials will be provided on the first Wednesday of every month. No registration is required.
On Writing Darkly Charming Villainous Love - with Hannah Nicole Maehrer
Wed, Sep 03, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Virtual - Virtual
Embrace your dark side (and your best evil laugh) and join us in conversation with Hannah Nicole Maehrer, creator of the New York Times bestselling Assistant to the Villain series. Register
Monthly Meditation - A free ONLINE meditation class open to all levels
Wed, Sep 03, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Zoom
Need some zen to help you wind down after a long day? 🧘‍♀️
Book a Librarian - Applications Assistance
Thu, Sep 04, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library
Schedule time with a librarian on Thursday mornings to receive help with applications. Appointments are available at 10 AM and 11 AM. Please call 703-746-1721 to schedule an appointment.
Line Dancing
Thu, Sep 04, 12:00pm - 1:00pm
Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library - Meeting Room
Learn basic line dance steps while you workout to Golden Oldies music. This is a great class for beginners. Bring a friend or come alone. Please wear comfortable shoes and clothing.
Thursday Afternoon Book Discussion - "The House of Broken Angels" by Luis Alberto Urrea
Thu, Sep 04, 1:30pm - 2:30pm
James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library - Beth Patridge Meeting Room
Do you have afternoons available? Join us at the library for some coffee, confections, and conversation about the titles chosen by fellow book club members! 📚 ☕
Carefull Knitting - Knitting and Crochet for Good
Thu, Sep 04, 3:00pm - 4:30pm
Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library - Second Floor
Join Barrett Branch’s knitting and crochet group making items to donate.
Sit & Stitch
Thu, Sep 04, 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library - Meeting Room
Stitchers of all kinds and skill levels, join us for a couple hours of stitching and community at Burke Branch Library!
Registration is now closed
Nerdy Knotters - Knitting and crochet group
Thu, Sep 04, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library - Teen Area
All crafters are welcome! Ages 13+
World Short Story Discussion Group
Thu, Sep 04, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Virtual - Zoom
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with the following two stories by Argentinian poet, essayist, and short story writer Jorge Luis Borges: "The Form of the Sword" and "The Story of the Two Dreamers."
HomeFit Workshop
Fri, Sep 05, 10:30am - 11:30am
Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library - Meeting Room
Join us to learn about how you can modify your home for safety and comfort with this AARP-sponsored program.
Spanish Conversation Club
Sat, Sep 06, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library
Ages 14+. Develop and exercise your spanish conversation skills.
Writers Group at Beatley
Sun, Sep 07, 1:00pm - 4:30pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library - 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!
Cancelled
English Language Learning (ELL)
Mon, Sep 08, 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library
English practice for English language learners. No registration is needed. Class is held in the Burke Branch Meeting Room
Adult and Dragons - REGISTRATION CLOSED
Mon, Sep 08, 5:30pm - 7:30pm
James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library
We roll at dusk!
Adults and Dragons - REGISTRATION CLOSED -
Mon, Sep 08, 5:30pm - 7:30pm
James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library
We roll at dusk!
Friends of the Duncan Library - Monthly Board Meeting
Mon, Sep 08, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library - Beth Patridge Meeting Room
The Friends of Duncan Library's Board Members discuss the Duncan Branch activities, fund raising actives supporting the Duncan Branch programs, collection needs and Alexandria Library community goals.
Let's Talk Books - "This Other Eden" by Paul Harding
Mon, Sep 08, 7:00pm - 7:50pm
Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library - Second Floor
Please join Let's Talk Books to read and discuss "This Other Eden" by Paul Harding.
One-On-One Computer Help - at the Barrett Branch
Tue, Sep 09, 5:00pm - 7:00pm
Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library
Barrett Library has a volunteer available on Tuesdays to help with computer and technologies use. Please call 703-746-1721 to schedule an appointment.
Convierte tus Monedas a Dolares - Talleres de educación financiera
Tue, Sep 09, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library - Large Meeting Room
PRESUPUESTOS Y METAS FINANCIERAS
Mending Sampler Pincushion
Tue, Sep 09, 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library - Second Floor
Learn how to make a pincushion using various hand mending techniques that can be applied to your own repairs. With time at the end, volunteers will offer suggestions for personal mending projects.
Handcraft Tuesday - Evening Edition
Tue, Sep 09, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Virtual
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
Stitcher's Space - Sew, quilt, knit, crochet, embroider! Every Wednesday!
Wed, Sep 10, 10:30am - 12:30pm
Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library - Meeting Room
Enjoy weekly sessions with other fiber artists. Bring and share your projects, and see others. Quilting tutorials will be provided on the first Wednesday of every month. No registration is required.
Trans-Atlantic Book Club: Alexandria & Helsingborg - Reading "The Gift" by Edwidge Danticat
Wed, Sep 10, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Virtual - Virtual
Join participants from Alexandria & our Sister City Helsingborg, Sweden for a discussion of the short story "The Gift" by Edwidge Danticat from her collection Everything Inside. Registration Required.Register
Argue Less and Talk More - with Communication Expert Jefferson Fisher
Wed, Sep 10, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Virtual - Virtual
Join us (and be ready to take notes) for an afternoon virtual conversation with communication expert Jefferson Fisher, as we chat about his book, The Next Conversation: Argue Less, Talk More. Register
Mystery Book Club - "The Turquoise Shop" by Frances Crane
Wed, Sep 10, 3:30pm - 5:00pm
Virtual - Zoom
Please join us virtually for a discussion of a delightful Golden Age mystery, the first novel in the Pat and Jean Abbott series. Register
Making History with Library of Virginia
Wed, Sep 10, 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Virtual - Virtual
Join Library of Virginia for a virtual volunteer session to learn how you can help make historical documents more searchable and usable for researchers now and in the future.Register
Book a Librarian - Applications Assistance
Thu, Sep 11, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library
Schedule time with a librarian on Thursday mornings to receive help with applications. Appointments are available at 10 AM and 11 AM. Please call 703-746-1721 to schedule an appointment.
Line Dancing
Thu, Sep 11, 12:00pm - 1:00pm
Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library - Meeting Room
Learn basic line dance steps while you workout to Golden Oldies music. This is a great class for beginners. Bring a friend or come alone. Please wear comfortable shoes and clothing.
American Style Mahjong - Learn and Play
Thu, Sep 11, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library - 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.
Summer Film Series - "Thursday Murder Club"
Thu, Sep 11, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Ellen Coolidge Burke Branch Library - Meeting Room
Please join us for a screening of the 2025 film based on the novel of the same name by Richard Osman.
Handcraft Crafternoon
Thu, Sep 11, 3:00pm - 5:00pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library - 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!
Tai Chi at Beatley Library - Balance Your Mind and Body
Thu, Sep 11, 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library - Frank and Betty Wright Reading Garden,Large Meeting Room
Join Jorge Banales as he gives 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.
Dungeons and Dragons: Adult Group! - Adventure awaits!
Thu, Sep 11, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library - Second Floor
Looking to join a Dungeons and Dragons group? Look no further!
Emily Rath In Conversation with Chip Pons & Ruby Ranna - A Pucking Strong Release Event!
Thu, Sep 11, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Nannie J. Lee Memorial Recreation Center - Auditorium
Join us at the Nannie J. Lee Rec Center as as bestselling author Emily Rath discusses the latest title in her Jacksonville Rays series with fellow authors Chip Pons & Ruby Rana! CODE: ALXLIBRARY29802 Register
Nerdy Knotters - Knitting and crochet group
Thu, Sep 11, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library - Beth Patridge Meeting Room
All crafters are welcome! Ages 13+
Duncan Literary Society - Not Your Average Book Club
Thu, Sep 11, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
The Company Of Books 2200 Mount Vernon Ave, Alexandria, Va 22301
Join us at "The Company of Books", where we discuss what we're currently reading. Bring something to write with, you are always going to leave with a list of things to add to your TBR pile!
See all events
Last updated:  January 2025