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Beatley Central Library Celebrates 20-Year Anniversary This Weekend

The Beatley Central Library is turning 20 this weekend and is celebrating with a birthday party.

The Beatley Birthday Party is planned for Saturday, from 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library (5005 Duke Street). The party is listed as “all ages” but most activities are aimed at children.

The event will start with opening remarks at 10:30, according to the library website, followed by activities like a “birthday card project,” a panel about the historic Alexandria library sit-in, and glitter tattoos. Food trucks will be on hand from 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

A Washington Post article from 1999 called the library an “unlikely architectural wonder” designed by influential architect Michael Graves. The library is named after Charles E. Beatley Jr. who served a mayor from 1967-1976 and from 1979-1985.

Staff photo by Jay Westcott

About the Author

  • Vernon Miles is the ALXnow cofounder and editor. He's covered Alexandria since 2014 and has been with Local News Now since 2018. When he's not reporting, he can usually be found playing video games or Dungeons and Dragons with friends.